British Rail Class 22

For the electric locomotives given TOPS code 'Class 22' used on freight workings through the Channel Tunnel in the 1990s, see SNCF Class BB 22200.
North British Type 2 diesel-hydraulic
British Rail Class 22

D6343 with Hymek D7072 at Old Oak Common, 1965
Type and origin
Power type Diesel-hydraulic
Builder North British Locomotive Co.
Build date 1959–1962[1]
Total produced 58
Specifications
Configuration B-B
UIC class B'B'
Gauge 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Wheel diameter 3 ft 6 in (1.067 m)
Minimum curve 4.5 chains (300 ft; 91 m)
Wheelbase bogies 8 ft 6 in (2.59 m)
bogie centers 23 ft (7.0 m)
total34 ft 6 in (10.52 m)
Length 46 ft 8 1⁄2 in (14.237 m)
Width 8 ft 8 in (2.64 m)
Height 12 ft 10 in (3.91 m)
Loco weight D6300–D6305: 68 long tons (69 t)[2]
D6306–D6357: 65 long tons (66 t)
Fuel capacity 450 imp gal (2,000 l; 540 US gal)
Prime mover D6300-D6305, NBL / MAN L12V18/21A 1,000 bhp (750 kW) at 1445 rpm[3]
D6306-D6357, NBL / MAN L12V18/21BS 1,100 bhp (820 kW) at 1530 rpm
Transmission Hydraulic: Voith / NBL LT.306r
MU working D6300–D6305: ■ Orange square
D6306–D6357: ◆ White diamond
Train heating 1,000 pounds (454 kg) per hour steam generator[4] 500 imp gal (2,300 l; 600 US gal) capacity
Loco brake Vacuum controlled air brake, hand brake
Performance figures
Maximum speed 75 mph (121 km/h)
Tractive effort 38,000 lbf (170,000 N) @ 25% adhesion
Career
Operators British Railways
Numbers D6300–D6357
Nicknames Baby Warship
Axle load class GWR: ●Blue[5]
BR: Route availability 4[6]
Retired 1967–1972[1]
Disposition All scrapped
Sources:[7] except where noted

The British Rail Class 22 or "Baby Warship" was a class of diesel-hydraulic locomotives designed for the Western Region of British Railways and built by the North British Locomotive Company. They were very similar in appearance to the Class 21 diesel-electrics. The nickname Baby Warship related to the similarity in appearance (and internal equipment) to the British Rail Class D20/2 or Class 41 Warship Class.

History

Introduction

D6300 was introduced to traffic in 1959 and deliveries continued through until 1962. The Class 22s were allocated to Bristol Bath Road, Laira Plymouth, Newton Abbot and Old Oak Common. The majority of the class always operated in the West of England, on a range of local passenger and freight work, with smaller numbers of the later units operating on local work in the Bristol and around London Paddington (notably moving empty carriages between the main station and Old Oak Common yard).

Availability

Initially the locomotives had some problems with engine and transmission faults, but could be returned to North British Locomotive Works (NBL) for repair under the contractual agreement. By 1961, reliability had improved, but with the more powerful Hymeks and Warships now being available, the locomotives were displaced onto more secondary duties, including work on the former Southern Region lines west of Exeter. By the mid 1960s, the locos had settled down to give reliable service, with availability over 85%.[8][note 1]

Decline

NBL went bankrupt in 1962 and, by the late 1960s, withdrawn locomotives were being used to provide spares. Attrition was inevitable and the withdrawals, which had commenced in 1967, finished with the withdrawal of 6333, 6336, 6338 and 6339 in December 1971. Ex-London Midland Region Class 25 diesel-electrics were drafted in as replacements. One Locomotive (D6319) was purchased by a private individual from BR, but it was cut up at Swindon before the buyer could retrieve it. Class 42 D821 Greyhound was offered instead and became the first ex-BR diesel locomotive to enter preservation. An engine said to have been used in 6332[9] has been preserved in full working order.

Livery

The NBL type 2s were introduced in all-over green livery with a light grey skirt band, mid-grey roof, red buffer beams and black underframe. Numbers appeared below all four cab windows and the BR 'lion and wheel' emblem was placed high on the bodyside as centrally as possible. Later a small yellow warning was added. From 1967 some locos were repainted in the new corporate rail blue livery. The first four repaints, D6300, D6303, D6314 and D6327 had small yellow warning panels which they retained until withdrawal, later blue repaints had full yellow ends. Only about half the class were repainted into blue.The B.R. logo was placed immediately below each cab window, with the loco number below this; on some locos this was reversed.

Models

Dapol released a 00 gauge model of the class 22 in late 2011.[10]

References

  1. 1 2 Reed 1978, p. 44.
  2. ↑ Reed 1978, p. 41.
  3. ↑ Reed 1978, pp. 25, 39.
  4. ↑ Haresnape 1983, p. 41.
  5. ↑ Reed 1978, p. 43.
  6. ↑ Strickland 1983, p. 76.
  7. ↑ B.R. 33003/94 Preliminary Driver's Instruction for Operating 1,100 H.P. Diesel Hydraulic Locomotives Nos. D.6306-D.6357, British Transport Commission, June 1961
  8. ↑ Railway World annual, 1980, Chris Leigh, p 114-119
  9. ↑ Mark Alden & Brian Webb
  10. ↑ Andy Y (8 November 2011). "Dapol Class 22 - Photo Review". RMweb. Retrieved 18 November 2011.

Notes

  1. ↑ Average availability was 85%, with one locomotive permanently out of action, with no action being taken to fix it.

Sources

Further reading

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