British Rail Class 27

Infobox Locomotive
name = BRCW Type 2
British Rail Class 27
powertype = Diesel-electric


caption = 27001 at Bo’ness
roadnumber = D5347–D5415; later 27001–27066
builder = Birmingham Railway Carriage and Wagon Company
builddate = 1961–1962
serialnumber = DEL190–DEL258
gauge = RailGauge|ussg|lk=on|al=on
primemover = Sulzer 6LDA28-B
generator =
tractionmotors =
transmission = DC generator, DC traction motors
whytetype = Bo-Bo
uicclass = Bo'Bo'
wheeldiameter = convert|3|ft|7|in|m|3|abbr=on
minimumcurve = convert|5|chain|m|lk=in
trainbrakes = Vacuum, some later dual Air & Vacuum
locobrakeforce = convert|34|LTf|kN|abbr=on|lk=in
wheelbase = convert|39|ft|0|in|m|2|abbr=on
length = convert|50|ft|9|in|m|2|abbr=on
width = convert|8|ft|10|in|m|2|abbr=on
height = convert|12|ft|8|in|m|2|abbr=on
weight = "Originally:" convert|72.50|LT|sigfig=3|lk=on
topspeed = convert|90|mph|km/h|0|abbr=on|lk=on
poweroutput = "Engine:" convert|1250|hp|0|abbr=on|lk=on
"At rail:" convert|933|hp|0|abbr-on
tractiveeffort = "Maximum:" convert|42000|lbf|kN|sigfig=3|abbr=on|lk=on
"Continuous:" convert|25000|lbf|kN|sigfig=3|abbr=on
fuelc
convert|685|impgal|abbr=on|lk=on
trainheating = "26/0 & 26/1:"Steam
"27/2:" ETH
multipleworking = ★ Blue Star
axleloadclass = Route availability 6 (RA 5 from 1969)
railroad = British Railways
British Rail's Class 27 comprised 69 diesel locomotives built by the Birmingham Railway Carriage and Wagon Company (BRCW) during 1961 and 1962. They were a development of the earlier Class 26; both were originally classified as the BRCW Type 2.

Usage

Original allocations were to the Scottish Region, the Eastern Region, and the London Midland Region, but all soon ended up in Scotland. For many years they were extensively used on the West Highland Line. The last locomotives were withdrawn from service in 1987, being outlived by the older Class 26s, whose less powerful engines were more reliable.

Edinburgh-Glasgow

By the late 1960s, the Class 126 DMUs operating the Edinburgh Waverley - Glasgow Queen Street express service were becoming unreliable. They were replaced in 1971 by specially adapted Class 27s fitted with push-pull equipment to “top and tail” rakes of six Mark 2a carriages. At one end would be a Class 27/1, at the other a Class 27/2 (which provided train heating). The very intensive convert|90|mph|km/h|abbr=on “push-pull” service was demanding on the locomotives and reliability started to suffer. The 27/2s, especially, appeared prone to fire damage, especially from their ETH alternators. The push-pull sets were replaced in 1980 by single Class 47/7s at one end of a rake of Mark 3 carriages and a DBSO. The spare Class 27s were then transferred for use on Edinburgh-Dundee semi-fast passenger services, until their replacement by Class 150 Sprinter DMUs in 1987.

Technical details

* Introduced: 1961
* Weight: 71-76 tonnes
* Engine: Sulzer 6LDA28-B of convert|1250|bhp|abbr=on at 750 rpm
* Transmission: Electric, four GEC WT459 traction motors
* Maximum tractive effort: convert|40000|lbf|kN|abbr=on
* Driving wheel diameter: convert|3|ft|7|in|m|abbr=on
* Coupling code: Blue star (electro-pneumatic)
* Train heating:
** As built, Steam generator
** Class 27/2, Electric, Houchin 120 kW alternator powered by Deutz 8-cylinder air-cooled diesel engine, type F8L413

Preservation

Eight locomotives have been preserved. [ [http://www.preserved-diesels.co.uk/engines/index_27.htm List of Class 27s] Preserved Diesels.co.uk, Retrieved on 2008-04-08.]

References

ources

*cite book | last = Marsden | first = Colin J. | title = Motive power recognition:1 Locomotives | publisher = Ian Allen Ltd | date = 1981 | location = Shepperton | isbn = 0 7110 1109 5
*cite book | last = Oakley | first = Michael | title = BR Class 26/27 Diesels | publisher = D Bradford Barton | date = 1981 | location = Truro | isbn = 0 85153 418 X
*
*cite book | last = Williams | first = Alan | coauthors = Percival, David | title = British Railways Locomotives and Multiple Units including Preserved Locomotives 1977 | publisher = Ian Allen Ltd | date = 1977 | location = Shepperton | isbn = 0 7110 0751 9
* Ian Allan ABC of British Railways Locomotives, 1983 edition

External links

* [http://27056photos.fotopic.net 27056 Restoration in progress gallery]
* [http://www.crdg.co.uk Caledonian Railway Diesel Group, owners of 27024]