The engine of the Class 45 was a marine-type, slow-revving diesel, a Sulzer 12LDA28B with a bore of 280mm (11.024in) (hence the 28 in the engine designation) and a stroke of 360mm (14.173in). This gave 22 litres (1,300cuin) per cylinder, or 264 litres (16,100cuin) for the whole engine. The unit was turbocharged and intercooled and gave 2,500hp (1,900kW) at 750rpm. The engine was of the double bank type with two parallel banks of 6cylinders, geared together to a single output shaft.[1][pageneeded] Six-cylinder versions of the engine were fitted in the Class 25 locos (amongst others) and eight-cylinder versions in Class 33s.[2] Class 45s were the updated versions of the Class 44 locomotives, the latter having a 2,300hp (1,700kW) non-intercooled version of the same engine; i.e. the 12LDA28A. The later Class 47 had a modified version of the same engine, a 12LDA28C.
The Class 45 is unusual in having a 220 volt electrical system for driving auxiliary systems and battery charging.[4] Most British Railways diesels of the same era had 110 volt auxiliaries.
The Class 45s became the main traction on the Midland Main Line from 1962, and their introduction allowed considerable acceleration of the previous steam-powered service. The Class 45s remained the main source of power on the Midland Main Line up to 1982, when they were relegated to secondary services following introduction of HSTs on the route. From 1986 Class 45s virtually disappeared from the line.[6][pageneeded] From the early 1980s until their withdrawal c.1988, the class were regular performers on the North Trans-Pennine line working services from Liverpool Lime Street to York, Scarborough or Newcastle via Manchester Victoria, Huddersfield and Leeds. These trains were usually formed of early Mark 2 carriages, of up to seven in a typical train.
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Accidents and incidents
On 6 December 1963 a freight train hauled by D94 passed at least two stop signals and collided with a goods train which was crossing the line at Stanton Gate railway station under clear signals. The front end of D94 was almost totally destroyed, causing the deaths of the driver and second man.[7][8][9]
On 16 January 1982, locomotive No. 45 074 was hauling a freight train that was derailed at Chinley, Derbyshire.[10]
45147 at Patricroft after the Eccles rail crash On 4 December 1984, locomotive No. 45 147 was badly damaged in the Eccles rail crash, and subsequently moved to Patricroft.
On 9 March 1986, locomotive No. 45 014 The Cheshire Regiment was one of two light engines that were hit head-on by a passenger train at Chinley due to a signalman's error. One person was killed. Lack of training and a power cut were contributory factors.[11] The locomotive was consequently withdrawn from service and scrapped.[12]
On 24 April 1988, locomotive No. 45 041 split a set of points and was derailed at Edale, Derbyshire.[13]
Withdrawal
The great majority of Class 45s were withdrawn between 1981 and 1988 after class 43 HSTs were introduced to their routes, and the last was withdrawn from service by 1989.[14][pageneeded]
Fleet details
Summarize
Perspective
Naming
26 Class 45s were officially named by BR after various British Army regiments and the Royal Marines. Additionally, several were unofficially named.
45118's nameplate
Fleet list
This section needs additional citations for verification. (May 2023)
2 August 1988. reinstated 02/1989 but not used after failed load test then finally withdrawn 04/1989. Reinstated to haul two railtours which had a class 45 booked for haulage, after 45106 caught fire and was withdrawn.[16][pageneeded]
Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (03/1992)
D114
45066
Amethyst (unofficial name)
07/1987. Reinstated September 1987 as 97413 then finally withdrawn on 26 July 1988
Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (10/1991)
D115
45067
07/1977 after collision at Ilkeston 8 July 1977 11:50 Glasgow-Nottingham
03/1986 collision with 31 436 Chinley 9 March 1986
Scrapped at Ashburys by Vic Berry (08/1986)
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Preservation
D100 Sherwood Forester at Bournemouth Open Day, 1992
Eleven locomotives survive in preservation with examples from both batches. The majority of the preserved engines were built at Crewe Works. A summary follows:
Mainline Railways introduced OO gauge Class 45s in 1983; D49 The Manchester Regiment and D100 Sherwood Forester in BR green and 45048 The Royal Marines in BR blue.[20]
