Class 23 'Baby Deltic' Profile and Models
D5902 at London Kings Cross in July 1966. ©Hugh Llewelyn
The British Rail Class 23 were a class of ten Bo-Bo diesel-electric locomotives built by the English Electric Company (EE) in 1959. The T9-29 diesel engine used by the class was a single, half-sized version of those used in the more powerful British Rail Class 55 'Deltic' locomotives, and the overall design and external appearance of the Class 23 was also similar to the Class 55, but much shorter, leading to their nickname of Baby Deltics. After acceptance trials at Doncaster, they entered service between April and June 1959. The locomotives were put to work on King's Cross outer suburban duties such as the Cambridge Buffet Express as well as services from Kings Cross to Moorgate sub-surface platforms via the 'widened lines'. The locomotives were later banned from Moorgate because of excessive exhaust smoke in the tunnels. By the late 1960s BR had drawn up a "National Traction Plan", whose aim was to rationalise the number and types of diesel locomotives in traffic (and thus reduce operating costs). The 'Baby Deltics' were an obvious target, being only a ten-strong class, and beset with operational problems. The locos were withdrawn between 1968 and 1971. |
|
Type of Locomotive |
Diesel-Electric |
Builder |
English Electric at Vulcan Foundry |
Build Dates |
1959 |
Total Built |
10 |
Tractive Effort |
47,000 lbf |
Power Output |
1,100 hp |
Top Speed |
75 mph |
Wheel Configuration |
Bo-Bo |
Operated By |
British Railways |
Main Duties |
Passenger Services |
In Service Until |
1971 |
Surviving Examples |
0 (Replica under construction) |
Products awaiting categorisation
Scale | Brand | Image | Construction Type | DCC Capability | Product Code | Product Title | Livery |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
OO Gauge (1:76 Scale) | A1 Models | RTR/RTUse/Pre-assembled | Not set |
Cl23Kit View |
BR Class 23 (Type 2) Diesel Loco - White Metal Kit | Not Applicable | |
OO Gauge (1:76 Scale) | Kitbuilt (unknown brand) | RTR/RTUse/Pre-assembled | Not set |
KB107 View |
Class 23 'Baby Deltic' kit - Alexander Models - not including motor | Awaiting Categorisation | |
OO Gauge (1:76 Scale) | Silver Fox | Requires assembly | Not set |
23SF View |
Class 23 'Baby Deltic' Resin Body Kit | Awaiting Categorisation | |
OO Gauge (1:76 Scale) | Silver Fox | RTR/RTUse/Pre-assembled | Not set |
KB108 View |
Class 23 'Baby Deltic' D5907 in BR green - Silver Fox kit | BR green with late crest |