LMS Route: Trent Valley Line

LMS Route: Nuneaton to Leamington

Nuneaton Station: lnwrns1652

English Electric Company's experimental Co-Co diesel prototype is seen at the head of an up express as it passes the junction for the Ashby branch line. Unofficially designated DP1 - 'Diesel Prototype One' - the 3,300hp prototype was sponsored by the company in order to assess their marine Napier-Deltic engine for rail use. The widespread use of alloy in its construction led to a comparatively lightweight high rpm diesel engine which could be mounted on a Co-Co wheelbase. The prototype was intended to be called Enterprise, but the name was dropped when it was found that Hudswell Clarke of Leeds had a range of locomotives bearing the same name. As a result, the English Electric Company's prototype became known as Deltic, derived from the 'V' shape of the engine resembling that of the inverted Greek letter 'Delta'. This unique locomotive was powered by two Napier motor gunboat engines, and made its debut on the WCML in December 1955. It was the most powerful locomotive then in existence. It was also extremely light, weighing a mere 106 tons, mounted on a Co-Co wheel arrangement which allowed for 100mph running without causing wear and tear on the track as did the cumbersome 1Co-Co1 machines that came before before it. The English Electric Company clearly had export potential in mind for the distinctive American-style nose end and non-functional headlight were a prominent feature. So too was the Nankin blue livery, straw lining and speed whiskers - and, of course, there was the sweet sound of its engines.

Courtesy of David Hey.

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