LMS Route: Birmingham New Street to Nuneaton

Castle Bromwich Station: mrcb1720

Bulleid Diesel 10203 departs Castle Bromwich with a return British Industries Fair special service on 15th May 1957. One of three prototypes, they had been designed by Oliver Bulleid for the Southern Railway before the 1948 nationalisation but did not appear until after nationalisation. The diesel engine and transmission were supplied by the English Electric company but the Bulleid influence was obvious. The box-like body style closely resembled Bulleid's electric locomotives and was quite different from the usual English Electric style, typified by British Rail Class D16/1. All three locomotives were non-standard with regards to spare parts and servicing and they were withdrawn at the end of 1963. After spending some time on the scrap line at Derby Works they were eventually scrapped in 1968 by J Cashmore's of Great Bridge.

Brighton Works commenced assembly of the third member of the fleet, No 10203, in February 1953 which was completed in March 1954. A number of technical differences were incorporated in this locomotive compared to the first two prototypes, the most significant being the installation of a higher powered engine developing some 2,000hp. After its commissioning trials, No 10203 based at Nine Elms joined No 10201 and No 10202 on the Waterloo-Exeter line where it demonstrated its superior output. No 10203 was fitted with a Mk II engine developing 2,000 bhp at 850 rpm whereas the two LMS designs, No 10000 and No 10001 and the Souther Railway designs No 10201 and No 10202 were fitted with Mk I versions of 750 rpm rated at 1600 and 1750bhp respectively. Using steam locomotive designations, the power classifications were 6P/5F for the LMS designed locomotives and the first two Southern Railways designs and 7P/6F for the third uprated Southern Railways design No 10203.

back