British Rail 10100

Infobox Locomotive
name = British Rail 10100
powertype = Diesel-mechanical


caption =
roadnumber = 10100
nicknames = Fell locomotive
builder = LMS, Derby Works
builddate = 1952
ordernumber =
primemover = Paxman 12RPH, 4 off
transmission = Fell central gearbox
gauge=RailGauge|ussg|lk=on
whytetype = 4-8-4
uicclass = 2'D2'
leadingsize = convert|39|in|m|3|abbr=on
driversize = convert|51|in|m|3|abbr=on
wheeldiameter = in to mm|num=51|abbr=yes|spell=Commonwealth|precision=0|wiki=yes driving,
in to mm|num=39|abbr=yes|spell=Commonwealth|precision=0|wiki=yes pony
minimumcurve = convert|5|chain|m|lk=on
trainbrakes = Vacuum
brakeforce = convert|38|LTf|kN|abbr=on|lk=in
wheelbase = convert|41|ft|4|in|abbr=on ft in to m|41|4|abbr=yes
length = convert|50|ft|0|in|abbr=on ft in to m|50|0|abbr=yes
width = convert|9|ft|0|in|abbr=on ft in to m|9|0|abbr=yes
height = convert|13|ft|0|in|abbr=on ft in to m|13|0|abbr=yes
weight = convert|120|LT|t|sigfig=3
topspeed = convert|84|mph|abbr=on
poweroutput = convert|2000|bhp|abbr=on|lk=on
tractiveeffort = convert|25000|lbf|kN|0|abbr=on
fuelc
convert|720|impgal|abbr=on|lk=on
coolantc
convert|60|impgal|abbr=on|lk=on
waterc
convert|500|impgal|abbr=on
trainheating = Steam generator
axleloadclass =
railroad = British Railways
powerclass = 6P5F, later Type 4
retiredate = September 1958
scrapdate = Derby Works, January 1960

British Railways 10100 was an unusual experimental diesel locomotive known informally as "The Fell Diesel Locomotive" (after Lt. Col. L.F.R. Fell, who was one of the designers). It was the joint production of Davey Paxman & Co, Shell Refining & Marketing Co and Lt-Col L.F.R. Fell, built for them by the London, Midland and Scottish Railway at Derby. Sir Harry Ricardo was also involved. By the time it emerged in 1950, nationalisation had taken place and it carried British Railways livery. The locomotive had six diesel engines, four of them used for traction. The auxiliary engines drove the pressure-chargers for the main engines and the purpose of this arrangement was to enable the main engines to deliver very high torque at low crankshaft speed.

Additional specifications

*Sanding equipment: Not fitted
*Transmission: Vulcan Sinclair SCRD fluid
*Cylinder size: 7 in dia ×7¾ in stroke
*Auxiliary power: AEC 6 cylinder, convert|150|hp|abbr=on, 2 off

Transmission

Using differential gearing to transmit the power, it was originally built as a 4-8-4 with the coupling rods connecting the centre four pairs of driving wheels. It was modified to 4-4+4-4. At 2000 hp it was the most powerful of BR's locomotives at the time. From 1951 it worked the expresses from Manchester to London, proving some 25% more powerful than 5XP 4-6-0s. While the mechanical transmission made it much lighter than the diesel-electric locomotives, its complicated mechanism made it difficult to maintain (a working model of the transmission is on display at the National Railway Museum, York).

Withdrawal

It was withdrawn after a serious fire at Manchester. The industrial consortium sold it to British Railways in 1955 for whom it remained in service until 1958 when it was withdrawn after sustaining accidental damage to the main gearbox. It was allocated to Derby and it was broken up at BR Derby Works in June 1960.

References

*

External links

* [http://www-g.eng.cam.ac.uk/125/achievements/ricardo/page50.htm Photo of 'The Fell Locomotive - 10100']
* [http://www.paxmanhistory.org.uk/ Richard Carr's Paxman History Pages]
* [http://www-g.eng.cam.ac.uk/125/achievements/ricardo/page49.htm Photo of Lt. Col. L.F.R. Fell with Sir Harry Ricardo]
* [http://www.paxmanhistory.org.uk/paxfell.htm Technical details of the locomotive]