The British Rail Class 37 is a diesel-electric locomotive. It is also known as the English Electric Type 3. The Class was ordered as part of the British Rail modernisation plan.
Quick facts English Electric Type 3, Type and origin ...
English Electric Type 3
British Rail Class 37 |
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 Class 37 in British Rail large logo livery at Muir of Ord railway station, 1988 |
| Type and origin |
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| Power type | Diesel-electric |
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| Builder | English Electric at Vulcan Foundry and Robert Stephenson and Hawthorns |
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| Build date | 1960–1965 |
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| Total produced | 309 |
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| Specifications |
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Configuration:
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| • Whyte | Co-Co |
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| • UIC | Co'Co' |
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| Gauge | 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge |
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| Wheel diameter | 3 ft 9 in (1.143 m) |
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| Minimum curve | 4 chains (80 m) |
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| Wheelbase | 50 ft 8 in (15.44 m) |
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| Length | 61 ft 6 in (18.75 m) |
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| Width | 8 ft 10+1⁄2 in (2.71 m) |
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| Height | 12 ft 9 in (3.89 m) |
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| Loco weight | 100 long tons (102 t) to 105 long tons (107 t)
except 37/7 and 37/9 class - ballasted to 120 tonnes[1] |
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| Fuel capacity | 890 imp gal (4,000 L; 1,070 US gal) increased to 1,690 imp gal (7,700 L; 2,030 US gal) on rebuild[1] |
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| Prime mover | Built: English Electric 12CSVT
37/9: Mirrlees Blackstone MB275Tt or Ruston RK270Tt |
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| Generator | Original:
Main: English Electric EE822, Aux EE911/5C
Rebuilt locos:
Main: Brush BA1005A alternator, Aux: Brush BA606A [1] |
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| Traction motors | English Electric [1] |
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| Transmission | electrical (DC traction motors) |
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| MU working | ★ Blue Star |
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| Train heating | 37/0: Steam generator
37/4: Electric Train Heat
Remainder: None |
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| Train brakes | Vacuum, Dual, or Air |
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| Performance figures |
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| Top speed | 90 mph (140 km/h) |
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| Power output | Engine: 1,750 bhp (1,305 kW) |
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| Tractive effort | Maximum: 55,500 lbf (247 kN)
Continuous: 35,000 lbf (156 kN) @13.6 mph (22 km/h)[2] |
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| Brakeforce | 50 long tons-force (498 kN) |
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Close
The Class 37 became a familiar sight on many parts of the British Rail network. They were on Inter-City services in East Anglia and within Scotland. They also performed well on secondary and inter-regional services for many years. The Class 37 is known by railway enthusiasts as a "Tractor". This nickname came from the similarity of the sound of the locomotive.
