What's your favourite diesel train?

[xotGD]

For the 37 fans amongst you, I give you this...

“COME ON!!!”

If that isn't enough to convince people, I don't know what will!

Totally Dreadful!

 

[Hardcastle]

A class 24/26 combination on the Glasgow/Edinburgh to Inverness services which once was.

 

[43 302]

Loco's - Class 45, 50, 56.

DMU - Cravens 105, Swindon 120.

Set - HST with Valenta engine and original cab.

Excuse my ignorance but what actually is the difference with the cabs? I could never see a difference in photos.

 

[Huntergreed]

HST
158
221 (VTWC)/222

 

[Ash Bridge]

Excuse my ignorance but what actually is the difference with the cabs? I could never see a difference in photos.

I think @Kneedown is likely referring to the original cab interior and drivers instrumentation/switchgear as they have been substantially updated since they were originally introduced.

 

[uvarvu]

I really like the class 56 for its looks as well as its sounds.

 

[Bevan Price]

As a child, I used to spend a lot of time at Beeston station. We used to get a lot of coal and tanker traffic through at that time. With lots of different locomotives. 20, 31, 37, 47, 56, 58 and the odd 45 pulling the few remaining loco hauled trains into Nottingham.

I hated the 37s because of the noise and the terrible pollution. And whenever at 47 came through, I hoped it was 'Rail Riders'. But for some reason, I loved the 20. I couldn't understand why on earth they would make locomotives that had to work in pairs. Later I went on the Jolly Fisherman to Skegness behnd a pair, and the sound, and the whole experience was amazing.

I still hold a fond memory for class 20s, and now I live in London, occassionally get to see them outside Neasden Depot on the Underground.

Of course, they are rubbish. But at the same time, they are magical, and I can't think if a loco I love more.

The Class 20s were not originally built to work in pairs - their purpose was mostly to replace steam locos. such as the many 0-6-0 freight locos still in service when the 20s were built. However, when the type of freights worked by small steam locos largely disappeared, pairs of the fairly new Class 20s were found to useful and reliable for heavier trains such as MGR coal trains - and also capable of going to locations where locos like Peaks, Class 40s, etc. were less suitable.

 

[ed1971]

Out of the first generation DMUs, the Class 108 was my favourite. The interiors of them looked modern, even by 1980s standards compared to other classes of DMU. The same can be said of the Class 101s, but I never liked the styling of them.

Of the second generation DMUs, the Class 141 was my favourite. I am not generally interested in electric traction as they don't have any character compared to diesel. I would however rate the Class 323 as a favourite.

 

[YorksLad12]

Out of the first generation DMUs, the Class 108 was my favourite. The interiors of them looked modern, even by 1980s standards compared to other classes of DMU. The same can be said of the Class 101s, but I never liked the styling of them.

Of the second generation DMUs, the Class 141 was my favourite. I am not generally interested in electric traction as they don't have any character compared to diesel. I would however rate the Class 323 as a favourite.

Ah, the Class 141, especially in the Verona Green and Buttermilk livery. The ends of the passenger sections had sliding doors (which never properly locked shut) and seats which could be folded up to allow for cycles, parcels and pushchairs. Wonder if we could get the Iranians to give them back?

 

[Steveswan10]

for me.....class 58....they looked awesome, class 56 on full load and class 60.....especially pulling the 30 tanker Lindsay-Langley/Colnbrook and Lindsey-Jarrow from a standing start after a crew change at Barnetby.......so many memories from being a kid

 

[Serathor]

Class 37 In BR Sector Livery or Large Logo Blue


The look, the Sound (and the noise)

 

[Peter Sarf]

Westerns, still yet to see one in person!

The Westerns (class 52) were beautifully sculpted. A Western looks like it belongs with Mk1 coaches. Probably the horseshoe cross section I suppose. Like the Hymeks (class 35) I think a lot of effort went into to getting the look tidy. They were definitely an advancement on the Warships (class 42 & 43) in terms of aesthetics as well as ride quality and engine wise. But a lovely sound also.

I really like the class 56 for its looks as well as its sounds.

I think 56s look similar to a 47, well Brush. Mind you I thought the pinnacle of that modern two window shape slightly pointed was the class 35 Hymek. It makes me think the whole exterior was carefully designed to look right. Just like the Westerns but with a totally different basis.

 

[yorksrob]

But not a genuine Thumper Buffet

This is true.

They did try to rebuild a thumper buffet from a departmental conversion, but it was found to be too problematic.

That said, a BIG buffet is just as good for nostalgia (and actually pretty functional in terms of space as well).

 

[xotGD]

Class 37 In BR Sector Livery or Large Logo Blue


The look, the Sound (and the noise)

I prefer the all-over coal dust livery that the Gateshead fleet carried. When a 37 came back from Doncaster works looking immaculate it stood out a mile.

Large logo does look good on the 37s, mind.

 

[gg1]

I hated the 37s because of the noise and the terrible pollution.

This is a public service announcement.

Old lorry or bus throwing out huge quantities of smoke = awful pollution
Old loco throwing out huge quantities of smoke = wondrous clag and a joy to behold

Thank you for your time

 

[61653 HTAFC]

I think 56s look similar to a 47, well Brush. Mind you I thought the pinnacle of that modern two window shape slightly pointed was the class 35 Hymek. It makes me think the whole exterior was carefully designed to look right. Just like the Westerns but with a totally different basis.

56s reused the basic bodyshell design from the 47, a rare example of BR cost-cutting done right. Always thought that 56s had a very industrial look and sound about them that went with the MGR work they were often used on. Had a passenger sub-fleet been produced (as was proposed at one point) they'd have looked and sounded somewhat out of place IMO.

 

[Ash Bridge]

56s reused the basic bodyshell design from the 47, a rare example of BR cost-cutting done right. Always thought that 56s had a very industrial look and sound about them that went with the MGR work they were often used on. Had a passenger sub-fleet been produced (as was proposed at one point) they'd have looked and sounded somewhat out of place IMO.

Totally agree, always wished that BR had gone ahead and converted some for IC Crosscountry, sadly not to be though. (What a coincidence, just as I'm typing this a pair of them have just rumbled by!)

 

[delt1c]

A class 24/26 combination on the Glasgow/Edinburgh to Inverness services which once was.

Now you are talking , 24/1 with headcode boxes and twin headlights fitted , interestingly usually saw the 24 leading southbound and 26 leading Northbound

 

[gimmea50anyday]

56 uses an updated EE engine, so is essentially a 47 with a 50 engine in it!

 

[Peter Sarf]

56 uses an updated EE engine, so is essentially a 47 with a 50 engine in it!

And that was based on the 37s engine which, in turn is the twelve cylinder version of the 16 cylinder version in the class 40. And the engine goes back further than that to the LMS diesel twins.

 

[Strat-tastic]

I prefer the all-over coal dust livery that the Gateshead fleet carried. When a 37 came back from Doncaster works looking immaculate it stood out a mile.

Large logo does look good on the 37s, mind.

A syphon looks good in anything

 

[El Toro]

What configuration was the 16 cylinder engine in the 56 please? Was it a V engine or two 8 cylinder rows?

 

[El Toro]

Totally agree, always wished that BR had gone ahead and converted some for IC Crosscountry, sadly not to be though. (What a coincidence, just as I'm typing this a pair of them have just rumbled by!)

What was the configuration of the 16 cylinder engine in the 56’s please, was it a V engine or 2 parallel rows of 8 cylinders?

 

[Ash Bridge]

What configuration was the 16 cylinder engine in the 56 please? Was it a V engine or two 8 cylinder rows?

As far as I'm aware it should be in a V configuration.

 

[43096]

What was the configuration of the 16 cylinder engine in the 56’s please, was it a V engine or 2 parallel rows of 8 cylinders?

V engine.

 

[Peter Sarf]

What configuration was the 16 cylinder engine in the 56 please? Was it a V engine or two 8 cylinder rows?

Was it !2 cylinder ?.

 

[Ash Bridge]

Was it !2 cylinder ?.

56 was 16 cylinder, 58 had 12 cylinder version.

 

[Peter Sarf]

56 was 16 cylinder, 58 had 12 cylinder version.

Ah. I never knew the 56 and 58 had a different number of cylinders. So not a simple progression from 37 to 58 via 56 !.

 

[hexagon789]

Ah. I never knew the 56 and 58 had a different number of cylinders. So not a simple progression from 37 to 58 via 56 !.

A 58 also has 50 extra horses at the crankshaft

 

[El Toro]

As far as I'm aware it should be in a V configuration.

Thanks,,