British Rail Class 52

British Rail assigned Class 52 to the class of 74 large Type 4 diesel-hydraulic locomotives built for the Western Region of British Railways between 1961 and 1964. All were given two-word names, with the first word being Western, and thus the type became known as Westerns.

British Rail Class 52
D1048 Western Lady
Type and origin Power type Diesel-hydraulic Builder British Railways’ Swindon and Crewe Works Build date 1961–1964 Total produced 74
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte C-C  • UIC C'C' Gauge 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge Wheel diameter 3 ft 7 in (1.092 m) Minimum curve 4.5 chains (91 m) Wheelbase 54 ft 8 in (16.66 m) Length 68 ft 0 in (20.73 m) Width 8 ft 8 in (2.64 m) Height 12 ft 11+3⁄4 in (3.96 m) Loco weight 108 long tons (110 t) Fuel capacity 850 imp gal (3,900 L; 1,020 US gal) Prime mover Maybach MD655, 2 off Transmission Hydraulic MU working Not fitted Train heating Steam generator Train brakes Vacuum
Performance figures Top speed 90 mph (140 km/h) Power output Engines: 1,350 bhp (1,007 kW) × 2 At rail: 2,000 hp (1,491 kW) Tractive effort Maximum: 66,700 lbf (297 kN) Brakeforce 50 long tons-force (498 kN)
Career Railroad(s) British Railways Number D1000–D1073 Nicknames ‘Westerns’ Axle load class Route availability 7 Retired 1973–1977