British Rail Class 17
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| BR Class 17 | ||
|---|---|---|
| TOPS numbers | None | |
| Early numbers | D8500-D8616 | |
| Builder | Clayton & Beyer Peacock; 1962-65 | |
| Introduced | 1962-65 | |
| Wheel Arrangement | Bo-Bo | |
| Weight | 68 te | 69 t |
| Height | 12' 8" | 3.86 m |
| Width | 8' 9 1/2" | 2.68 m |
| Length | 50′ 7”″ | 15.42 m |
| Wheel Dia. | 3' 3½" | 1.003 m |
| Bogie Wheel Base | 8’ 6” | 2.59 m |
| Bogie Pivot Centres | 28’ | 9.7 m |
| Minimum radius | 3½ chains | 70 m |
| Maximum speed | 60 mph | 97 km/h |
| Engine output | 900 hp; 602 hp at rail | |
| Max. Tractive Effort | 40,000 lbf | 178 kN |
| Cont. Tractive Effort | 8,000 lbf at 13 mph | 36 kN at 21 km/h |
| Brake type | Vacuum | |
| Brake force | 35 te | 349 kN |
| Route availability | 4 | |
| Fuel Tank | 500 imp gal | 1100 L |
| Multiple Coupling | D8500-87 Red Diamond; D8588-8616 Blue Star | |
| Heating type | None; through steam pipe | |
| Boiler Water Capacity | None | |
Class 17 was a class of British Railways diesel locomotives. It was ordered as a successor to the pilot scheme Type 1 locomotives, fitted with a centre cab. This class was probably the least successful of any type, as the long bonnets in each direction gave the driver poor visibility and the Paxman 6ZHXL gave unreliable performance (overall reliability was around 60%). Withdrawals started in the late 1960s and the final locomotives were withdrawn in 1971.
The engines were two Paxman 6ZHXL with 7” cylinder bore and 7 ¾” piston stroke (except for D8586-87, which had two Rolls Royce ‘D’ type). The traction motors were 4 x GEC WT421, nose suspended with single reduction gear drive. The Main Generator was a GEC WT800 for D8500-87 and a Crompton Parkinson for the remainder. The Auxiliary Generator was a GEC WT for D8500-87 and a Crompton Parkinson for the remainder.
One loco, D8568, went on to see industrial use at Hemelite, Hemel Hempstead and at Ribblesdale Cement, Clitheroe, and then went for preservation. It is now (2006) at the Chinnor & Princes Risborough RPS, Oxfordshire.
[edit] In fiction
In the Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends TV Series, there is a diesel the same type as this. His name is Derek, and has teething troubles because he was new. He works with Bill and Ben the Tank Engine Twins in the quarry.
[edit] Models
Danish manufacturer Heljan announced an 00 gauge ready-to-run model of the Class 17 at the 2006 Warley National Model Railway Exhibition. Aside from small runs by TechCad, and in kit form by DC Kits and others, this will be the first time the class has been produced as a ready-to-run model.
A diecast model of a Class 17 (the character Derek) was produced by Ertl as part of their Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends range.
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