This book provides an in-depth history of the Metropolitan-Vickers diesel-electric Type 2 locomotives, more frequently known collectively as the “Co-Bo’s” due to their unusual wheel arrangement. Twenty locomotives were constructed during the late-1950s for use on the London Midland Region of British Railways. The fleet was fraught with difficulties from the start, most notably due to problems with their Crossley engines, this necessitating the need for extensive rehabilitation work during the early-1960s. Matters barely improved and the option to completely re-engine the locomotives with English Electric units was debated at length, but a downturn in traffic levels ultimately resulted in their demise by the end of 1968 prior to any further major rebuilding work being carried out. Significant quantities of new archive and personal sighting information, supported by over 180 photographs and diagrams, have been brought together to allow dramatic new insights into this enigmatic class of locomotives, including the whole debate surrounding potential re-engining, their works histories, the extended periods in storage, together with in-depth reviews of the various detail differences and liveries.

A thorough history of the Metropolitan-Vickers locomotive, also known as “Class 28,” featuring 160 color and black & white photos. This book provides an in-depth history of the Metropolitan-Vickers diesel-electric Type 2 locomotives, more frequently known collectively as the “Co-Bo’s” due to their unusual wheel arrangement. Twenty locomotives were constructed during the late-1950s for use on the London Midland Region of British Railways. The fleet was fraught with difficulties from the start, most notably due to problems with their Crossley engines, this necessitating the need for extensive rehabilitation work during the early-1960s. Matters barely improved and the option to completely re-engine the locomotives with English Electric units was debated at length, but a downturn in traffic levels ultimately resulted in their demise by the end of 1968 prior to any further major rebuilding work being carried out. Significant quantities of new archive and personal sighting information, supported by over 180 photographs and diagrams, have been brought together to allow dramatic new insights into this enigmatic class of locomotives, including the whole debate surrounding potential re-engining, their works histories, the extended periods in storage, together with in-depth reviews of the various detail differences and liveries.

This comprehensive history of these unique locomotives covers everything from performance issues to sightings, detail differences and liveries. The Type 2 Bo-Bo Diesel-Electric Classes 21 & 29 locomotives were constructed by the North British Locomotive Company in the early 1960s. Used in the Scottish region of British Railway, they ran into numerous problems and were withdrawn from service within a decade. Due in part to their short careers, these locomotives remain something of a mystery to train enthusiasts. The scant information available on them is very often riddled with misinformation. This authoritative volume corrects the record, presenting the most comprehensive and accurate account of the NBL Classes 21 & 29. Fully illustrated with photographs and detailed line drawings, this volume offers individual locomotive histories, complete technical specifications, accident and fire damage reports, storage histories, and a complete account of their disposal at both private companies and Glasgow Works.

Explore a highly illustrated and comprehensive look at the story of 400 years of Britain's railways.

The British Railways ‘Pilot Scheme’ orders of 1955 included six North British Type 2 diesel-hydraulic locomotives, these being introduced during 1959 for use on the Western Region. Without operational experience, a further fifty-two locomotives were delivered between 1959 and 1962. The fleet survived intact until 1968, when half of the class was withdrawn due to declining traffic levels across the UK, with successive National Traction Plans progressively selecting the less successful, non-standard and ‘numerically-challenged’ classes for removal from traffic. All fifty-eight locomotives were withdrawn by New Years Day, 1972. This book, the second of two, builds on the overview of the class provided in Volume 1, and makes extensive use of available archive material and the personal observations of numerous enthusiasts. Previously unpublished information, covering the performance issues of these locomotives, form a central focus, together with details of fire incidents and accidents. Liveries and detail differences are given in-depth treatment to illustrate that there really were reasons and a logical progression behind the complicated series of design modifications applied to the Class. Volume 2 concludes with sections on storage, withdrawal and final disposal.

Please note that the content of this book primarily consists of articles available from Wikipedia or other free sources online. Pages: 27. Chapters: British Rail 18100, British Rail Class 28, British Rail Class 76, British Rail Class 77, British Rail Class 80, British Rail Class 82, CIE 001 Class, CIE 201 Class, New South Wales 46 class locomotive, NS Class 1500, South African Class 1E, South African Class 5E1, Series 1, South African Class 5E1, Series 2, South African Class 5E1, Series 3, South African Class 5E1, Series 4, South African Class 5E1, Series 5, South African Class ES, WAGR X class. Excerpt: Between 1925 and 1945 the South African Railways placed altogether one hundred and seventy-two Class 1E electric locomotives in service, spread over seven orders. They were the first main-line electric locomotives to be introduced in South Africa. South Africa's first electric locomotive, the Class 1E, entered service in Natal in 1925. It was ordered and designed for the electrification of the Glencoe to Pietermaritzburg section, a mountainous single track line that carried heavy mineral traffic towards the port of Durban on an alignment with severe gradients and tight curves. When the existing working by steam locomotives became too slow and inefficient to keep up with increased traffic, electrification of this 171 miles (275 kilometres) section was decided upon to increase the capacity of the line. An important consideration in deciding upon the economics of electrification was the potential saving in wage-bills. Electrification would reduce the required crew roster from three hundred drivers and firemen to one hundred and seventy drivers and assistants. In addition it was expected that a large reduction in overtime would be accomplished by increasing the average train speeds from steam traction's 8 miles per hour (13 kilometres per hour) to electric traction's 21 miles per hour (34 kilometres per hour) on the Glencoe to Pietermaritzburg section, with...