British Rail Class 52

British Rail assigned Class 52 to the class of 74 large Type 4 diesel-hydraulic locomotives built for the Western Region of British Railways between 1961 and 1964. All were given two-word names, with the first word being Western, and thus the type became known as Westerns.

British Rail Class 52
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D1048 Western Lady
Power type	Diesel-hydraulic
Builder	British Railways’ Swindon and Crewe Works
Build date	1961–1964
Total production	74
Configuration	C-C
UIC classification	C'C'
Gauge
Wheel diameter	3 ft 7 in (1.092 m)
Minimum curve	4.5 chains (91 m)
Wheelbase	54 ft 8 in (16.66 m)
Length	68 ft 0 in (20.73 m)
Width	8 ft 8 in (2.64 m)
Height	12 ft 11+3⁄4 in (3.96 m)
Locomotive weight	108 long tons (110 t)
Fuel capacity	850 imp gal (3,900 L; 1,020 US gal)
Prime mover	Maybach MD655, 2 off
Transmission	Hydraulic
Multiple working	Not fitted
Top speed	90 mph (140 km/h)
Power output	Engines: 1,350 bhp (1,007 kW) × 2 At rail: 2,000 hp (1,491 kW)
Tractive effort	Maximum: 66,700 lbf (297 kN)
Train heating	Steam generator
Locomotive brakeforce	50 long tons-force (498 kN)
Train brakes	Vacuum
Career	British Railways
Number	D1000–D1073
Nicknames	‘Westerns’
Axle load class	Route availability 7
Retired	1973–1977

British Rail Class 52 Media

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  An early photo of D1005 Western Venturer in 1962.

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  D1015 Western Champion in Swindon Works

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  D1023 Western Fusilier at Exeter St Davids with a train for the South West

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  Name and numberplates at the National Railway Museum

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  D1000-old oak common - 1964

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  Class 52 D1001 Western Pathfinder, Old Oak Common, 6 June 1976 (2)

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  Steam & Diesel at Paddington

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  Class 52 D1005 Western Venturer, Reading, 20 April 1976

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  Birmingham New Street Station - geograph.org.uk - 6506543

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  Class 52 D1009 and a Class 128 DMU at Reading in 1975