British Rail Class 16

Infobox Locomotive
name = NBL Type 1
British Rail Class 16
powertype = Diesel-electric


caption =
roadnumber = D8400–D8409
builder = North British Locomotive Company
builddate = 1958
serialnumber = 27671–27680
totalproduction = 10
gauge = RailGauge|ussg|al=on|lk=on
primemover = Paxman 16YHXL
generator = GEC WT 881
tractionmotors = GEC WT8811, 4 off
transmission = DC generator, DC traction motors
whytetype = Bo-Bo
uicclass = Bo'Bo'
wheeldiameter = convert|3|ft|7|in|m|3|abbr=on
minimumcurve = convert|3.5|chain|m|lk=in
trainbrakes = Vacuum
locobrakeforce = convert|31|LTf|kN|abbr=on|lk=in
wheelbase = convert|28|ft|6|in|m|2|abbr=on
length = convert|42|ft|6|in|m|2|abbr=on
width = convert|8|ft|8+1/2|in|m|2|abbr=on
height = convert|12|ft|8|in|m|2|abbr=on
weight = convert|68|LT|sigfig=3|lk=on
topspeed = convert|60|mph|0|abbr=on
poweroutput = "Engine:" convert|800|hp|0|abbr=on|lk=on
"At rail:" convert|627|hp|0|abbr=on
tractiveeffort = "Maximum:" convert|42000|lbf|kN|1|abbr=on|lk=on
fuelc
convert|400|impgal|abbr=on|lk=on
trainheating = None; through steam pipe
multipleworking = ● Red Circle
axleloadclass = Route availability 4
railroad = British Railways
retiredate = 1968
disposition = All scrappedThe North British Type 1 (later known as Class 16) was a type of diesel locomotive ordered under British Railways' . Like other Type 1 designs, they were relatively small locomotives intended primarily for local freight traffic.

Overview

The design evolved from an earlier prototype locomotive built by North British, No. 10800. Under British Railways' 'pilot scheme', ten locomotives were ordered for evaluation against rival designs from British Thompson-Houston (Class 15) and English Electric (Class 20). The design shared some similarities with Class 15, both being of the road-switcher layout which was uncommon in the U.K., and both being powered by an 800hp Paxman 16YHXL prime mover.

Delivery

The ten locomotives (numbered D8400–D8409) were completed at the North British Locomotive Company's Queen's Park Works in Glasgow, between May and September 1958. They were delivered to Devons Road depot on the London Midland Region of British Railways for evaluation against the rival designs, but soon moved to nearby Stratford depot on the Eastern Region, where they stayed for the rest of their lives.

Operation

The design was not a success, and no further examples were built. While the Class 15s also suffered problems with the Paxman engines, these were worse on Class 16 because inadequate ventilation resulted in frequent engine seizures. Another problem was coolant contamination of the oil, due to cylinder head failure. They were fitted with a non-standard type of electro-magnetic control equipment (coded "red circle" by BR) which was prone to failure, and they could not operate in multiple with locomotives fitted with the more common electro-pneumatic ("blue star") controls.

Withdrawal

Being non-standard and unreliable, the locomotives were an obvious candidate for early withdrawal. They were withdrawn between February and September 1968, and all ten had been cut up for scrap by the end of 1969.

Technical

* Engine: Paxman 16YHXL
* Cylinder bore: 7 in (178 mm)
* Piston stroke: 7¾ in (197 mm)
* Traction motors: 4 x GEC WT 441, nose suspended, with single reduction gear drive
* Main Generator: GEC WT 881
* Auxiliary Generator: GEC

ources

*cite book | last = Stevens-Stratten | first = S.W. | coauthors = Carter, R.S. | title = British Rail Main-Line Diesels | publisher = Ian Allen Ltd | date = 1978 | location = Shepperton | isbn = 0 7110 0617 2
*cite book | last = Sugden | first = S.A. | title = Diesel & Electric Loco Register (3rd edn) | publisher = Platform 5 | location = Sheffield | isbn = 1 872524 55 9
*cite book | last = Grindlay | first = Jim | title = British Railways Locomotive Allocations 1948-1968 (Part 6 - Diesel & Electric Locomotives) | publisher = Modelmaster Publications | location = Troon | isbn = 978 0 9544264 6 0