British Rail Class 46

The British Rail Class 46 is a class of diesel locomotive. They were built from 1961–1963 at British Railways' Derby Works and were initially numbered D138-D193. With the arrival of TOPS computer system they were renumbered to Class 46. Fifty-six locomotives were built. The first was withdrawn in 1977 and all of them were withdrawn by 1984.

Derby Type 4
British Rail Class 46
300px
Class 46
Power type Diesel-electric
Builder British RailwaysDerby Works
Build date 1961–1963
Total production 56
Configuration 1Co-Co1
UIC classification (1Co)'(Co1)'
Wheel diameter 3 ft 9 in (1.143 m)
Minimum curve 3.5 chains (70 m)
Wheelbase 59 ft 8 in (18.19 m)
Length 67 ft 11 in (20.70 m)
Width Lua error in Module:Convert at line 452: attempt to index field 'titles' (a nil value).
Height 12 ft 10 in (3.91 m)
Locomotive weight Lua error in Module:Convert at line 1850: attempt to index local 'en_value' (a nil value).
Fuel capacity 790 imp gal (3,600 l; 950 US gal)
Prime mover Sulzer 12LDA28-B
Multiple working Blue Star
Top speed 90 mph (145 km/h)
Power output Engine: 2,500 bhp (1,864 kW)
At rail: 1,962 hp (1,463 kW)
Tractive effort Maximum: Lua error in Module:Convert at line 1850: attempt to index local 'en_value' (a nil value).
Train heating Steam generator
Locomotive brakeforce Lua error in Module:Convert at line 1850: attempt to index local 'en_value' (a nil value).
Train brakes Vacuum
Career British Railways
Number D138–D193; later 46001–46056
Nicknames ‘Peak’
Axle load class Route availability 7

The Class 46 design was structurally the same as the earlier Class 45 build, and had the same Sulzer engine. It differed in the fitment of a Brush generator and traction motors, in place of the Crompton Parkinson equipment fitted to the Class 45.


British Rail Class 46 Media