British Rail Class 45

Derby Type 4 British Rail Class 45
A Class 45 south of Loughborough in July 1975
Type and origin Power type Diesel-electric Builder British Railways' Derby Works and Crewe Works Build date 1960–1962 Total produced 127
Specifications Configuration: ​  • UIC (1′Co)(Co1′)  • Commonwealth 1Co-Co1 Wheel diameter 3 ft 9 in (1.143 m) Minimum curve 5 chains (100 m) Wheelbase 59 ft 8 in (18.19 m) Length 67 ft 11 in (20.70 m) Width 8 ft 10+1⁄2 in (2.71 m) Height 12 ft 10 in (3.91 m) Loco weight 133 long tons (135 t; 149 short tons) Fuel capacity 840 imp gal (3,800 L; 1,010 US gal) Prime mover Sulzer 12LDA28-B Engine type four stroke 12 cylinder double bank Displacement 12× 22 litres (1,300 cu in) per cylinder, or 264 litres (16,100 cu in) total Generator Crompton Parkinson Traction motors Crompton Parkinson Cylinders 12 Cylinder size 280 mm × 360 mm (11.024 in × 14.173 in), bore × stroke MU working ★ Blue Star Train heating 45/0: Steam 45/1: Electric Train Heat Loco brake Air Train brakes Vacuum and Air
Performance figures Maximum speed 90 mph (145 km/h) Power output Engine: 2,500 bhp (1,864 kW) At rail: 2,000 hp (1,491 kW) Tractive effort Maximum: 55,000 lbf (245 kN) Brakeforce 63 long tons-force (628 kN)
Career Operators British Railways Numbers D11–D137; later 45001–45077, 45101–45150 Nicknames Peak Axle load class Route availability 7 Withdrawn 1981-1989 Disposition Eleven preserved, remainder scrapped

The British Rail Class 45 or Sulzer Type 4 are diesel locomotives built by British Railways' Derby and Crewe Works between 1960 and 1962. Along with the similar Class 44 and 46 locomotives, they became known as Peaks.

The engine of the Class 45 was a marine-type, slow-revving diesel, a Sulzer 12LDA28B with a bore of 280 mm (11.024 in) (hence the 28 in the engine designation) and a stroke of 360 mm (14.173 in). This gave 22 litres (1,300 cu in) per cylinder, or 264 litres (16,100 cu in) for the whole engine. The unit was turbocharged and intercooled and gave 2,500 hp (1,900 kW) at 750 rpm. The engine was of the double bank type with two parallel banks of 6 cylinders, geared together to a single output shaft.^{[1][page needed]} Six-cylinder versions of the engine were fitted in the Class 25 locos (amongst others) and eight-cylinder versions in Class 33s.^[2] Class 45s were the updated versions of the Class 44 locomotives, the latter having a 2,300 hp (1,700 kW) non-intercooled version of the same engine; i.e. the 12LDA28A. The later Class 47 had a modified version of the same engine, a 12LDA28C.

When initially put into service, the locomotives were fitted with multi-unit working and steam-heating boilers for passenger service. In the early 1970s, fifty were fitted with electric train supply in place of their steam-heating boilers and assigned to work services on the Midland Main Line from London St Pancras to Nottingham, Derby and Sheffield. These locomotives were renumbered as Class 45/1.^[3]

The Class 45 is unusual in having a 220 volt electrical system for driving auxiliary systems and battery charging.^[4] Most British Railways diesels of the same era had 110 volt auxiliaries.

Distribution of locomotives,
March 1974^[5]

CW HO TO
Code	Name	Quantity
CW	Cricklewood	11
HO	Holbeck	39
TO	Toton	77
Total:		127

The Class 45s became the main traction on the Midland Main Line from 1962, and their introduction allowed considerable acceleration of the previous steam-powered service. The Class 45s remained the main source of power on the Midland Main Line up to 1982, when they were relegated to secondary services following introduction of HSTs on the route. From 1986 Class 45s virtually disappeared from the line.^{[6][page needed]} From the early 1980s until their withdrawal c. 1988, the class were regular performers on the North Trans-Pennine line working services from Liverpool Lime Street to York, Scarborough or Newcastle via Manchester Victoria, Huddersfield and Leeds. These trains were usually formed of early Mark 2 carriages, of up to seven in a typical train.

• On 6 December 1963 a freight train hauled by D94 passed at least two stop signals and collided with a goods train which was crossing the line at Stanton Gate railway station under clear signals. The front end of D94 was almost totally destroyed, causing the deaths of the driver and second man.^[7][8][9]
• On 26 August 1976 locomotive No; 45 149, while hauling a coal train, derailed near Winchcombe due to 'unusual' activity on the line.^{[clarification needed]}
• On 16 January 1982, locomotive No. 45 074 was hauling a freight train that was derailed at Chinley, Derbyshire.^[10]

• On 4 December 1984, locomotive No. 45 147 was badly damaged in the Eccles rail crash, and subsequently moved to Patricroft where it was cut-up in March 1985.^{[citation needed]}
• On 9 March 1986, locomotive No. 45 014 The Cheshire Regiment was one of two light engines that were hit head-on by a passenger train at Chinley due to a signalman's error. One person was killed. Lack of training and a power cut were contributory factors.^[11] The locomotive was consequently withdrawn from service and scrapped.^[12]
• On 24 April 1988, locomotive No. 45 041 split a set of points and was derailed at Edale, Derbyshire.^[13]

The great majority of Class 45s were withdrawn between 1981 and 1988 after class 43 HSTs were introduced to their routes, and the last was withdrawn from service by 1989.^{[14][page needed]}

26 Class 45s were officially named by BR after various British Army regiments and the Royal Marines. Additionally, several were unofficially named.

This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources in this section. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: "British Rail Class 45" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (May 2023) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

Number(s)		Name	Withdrawn	Disposal details
1957 series	TOPS
D11	45122		04/1987	Scrapped at MC Metals, Glasgow (02/1994)
D12	45011		05/1981	Scrapped at Derby Works (09/1981)
D13	45001		01/1986	Scrapped at Derby Works (11/1988)
D14	45015		03/1986	Still in derelict condition at the Battlefield Line (As of May 2024)
D15	45018		04/1981	Scrapped at Swindon Works (10/1982)
D16	45016		11/1985	Scrapped at Vic Berry, Leicester (12/1986)
D17	45024		10/1980 due to fire damage	Scrapped at Swindon Works (08/1983)
D18	45121	Pegasus (unofficial name)	19 November 1987	Scrapped by Thomas Hill at Crewe Works (09/1993)
D19	45025		05/1981	Scrapped at Derby Works (11/1981)
D20	45013	Wyvern (unofficial name)	04/1987	Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (02/1994)
D21	45026		04/1986	Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (11/1988)
D22	45132		09:39 on 11 May 1987	Preserved at Epping Ongar Railway
D23	45017		08/1985 Training Loco ADB 968024 Toton September 1985-00.1988[clarification needed]	Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (11/1991)
D24	45027		05/1981	Scrapped at Swindon Works (09/1983)
D25	45021		12/1980	Scrapped at Swindon Works (04/1983)
D26	45020		12/1985	Scrapped at Vic Berry Leicester (08/1988)
D27	45028		01/1981	Scrapped at Swindon Works (04/1983)
D28	45124	Unicorn (unofficial name)	12:34 on 22 January 1988 withdrawn due to bogie fire Leicester 29 December 1987	Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (10/1991)
D29	45002		09/1984	Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (11/1988)
D30	45029		07/1987 reinstated as 97 410 September 1987 withdrawn August 1988	Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (10/1991)
D31	45030		11/1980	Scrapped at Derby Works (03/1981)
D32	45126		27 April 1987	Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (04/1992)
D33	45019		09/1985	Scrapped at Vic Berry Leicester (01/1987)
D34	45119		7 May 1987	Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (04/1994)
D35	45117		12 May 1986	Scrapped at Vic Berry Leicester (02/1987)
D36	45031		05/1981	Scrapped at Derby Works (10/1981)
D37	45009		09/1986	Scrapped at Vic Berry Leicester (08/1988)
D38	45032		12/1980	Scrapped at Swindon Works (09/1983)
D39	45033	Sirius (unofficial name)	02/1988	Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (02/1992)
D40	45133		10 May 1987	Preserved at Midland Railway – Butterley Owned by the Class 45/1 Preservation Society
D41	45147		4 January 1985 due to damage in Salford accident 4 December 1984	Scrapped at Patricroft by Vic Berry Leicester (03/1985)
D42	45034		07/1987 reinstated September 1987 as 97411 withdrawn July 1988	Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (05/1992)
D43	45107	Phoenix (unofficial name)	15:19 on 27 July 1988	Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (03/1990)
D44	45035		05/1981	Scrapped at Derby Works (11/1981)
D45	45036		05/1986	Scrapped at Vic Berry Leicester (08/1988)
D46	45037	Eclipse (unofficial name)	07/1988	Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (03/1992)
D47	45116		22 December 1986	Scrapped at Vic Berry Leicester (09/1988)
D48	45038		06/1985	Scrapped at Vic Berry Leicester (12/1986)
D49	45039	The Manchester Regiment[15]	12/1980	Scrapped at Swindon Works (04/1983)
D50	45040	The King's Shropshire Light Infantry[15]	07/1987 reinstated as 97412 September 1987 withdrawn August 1988	Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (10/1991)
D51	45102		9 September 1986	Scrapped at Vic Berry Leicester (10/1988)
D52	45123	The Lancashire Fusilier[15]	22 July 1986	Scrapped at Vic Berry Leicester (11/1988)
D53	45041	Royal Tank Regiment[15]	8 June 1988	Preserved at Midland Railway – Butterley Owning group Peak Locomotive Company
D54	45023	The Royal Pioneer Corps[15]	09/1984	Scrapped at Vic Berry Leicester (10/1986)
D55	45144	Royal Signals[15]	21 December 1987	Scrapped at Vic Berry Leicester (06/1988)
D56	45137	Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment (T.A.)[15]	16 June 1987	Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (03/1994)
D57	45042		04/1985	Scrapped at Vic Berry Leicester (11/1986)
D58	45043	The King's Own Royal Border Regiment[15]	09/1984	Scrapped at Vic Berry Leicester (01/1987)
D59	45104	The Royal Warwickshire Fusilier[15]	13 April 1988	Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (02/1992)
D60	45022	Lytham St. Annes[15]	07/1987 reinstated September 1987 as 97409 withdrawn July 1988	Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (10/1991)
D61	45112	The Royal Army Ordnance Corps[15]	14:43 on 7 May 1987	Main Line Operational
D62	45143	5th Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards[15]	14:43 on 7 May 1987	Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (03/1994)
D63	45044	Royal Inniskilling Fusilier[15]	06/1987	Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (11/1988)
D64	45045	Coldstream Guardsman[15]	05/1983 due to collision at Saltley 10 February 1983	Scrapped at Vic Berry Leicester (10/1986)
D65	45111	Grenadier Guardsman[15]	14:43 on 7 May 1987	Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (04/1992)
D66	45146		7 April 1987	Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (03/1992)
D67	45118	The Royal Artilleryman[15]	8 May 1987	Preserved; stored at Loram Derby
D68	45046	Royal Fusilier[15]	08/1988	Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (05/1992)
D69	45047		08/1980	Scrapped at Derby Works (02/1981)
D70	45048	The Royal Marines[15]	06/1985	Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (11/1988)
D71	45049	The Staffordshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own)[15]	10/1987	Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (11/1988)
D72	45050		09/1984	Scrapped at Vic Berry Leicester (03/1987)
D73	45110	Medusa (unofficial name)	15:19 on 27 July 1988	Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (03/1990)
D74	45051		04/1987	Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (11/1988)
D75	45052	Satan and Nimrod (unofficial names)	06/1988	Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (09/1991)
D76	45053		11/1983	Scrapped at Crewe Works by A Hampton (10/1988)
D77	45004	Royal Irish Fusilier[15]	12/1985	Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (11/1988)
D78	45150	Vampire (unofficial name)	10:40 on 4 February 1988	Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (12/1991)
D79	45005		03/1986	Scrapped at Vic Berry Leicester (12/1988)
D80	45113	Athene (unofficial name)	2 August 1988	Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (03/1990)
D81	45115		13 June 1988	Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (03/1990)
D82	45141	Zephyr (unofficial name)	4 August 1988	Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (03/1992)
D83	45142		19 June 1987	Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (03/1994)
D84	45055	Royal Corps of Transport[15]	04/1985	Scrapped at Vic Berry Leicester (11/1986)
D85	45109		27 January 1986	Scrapped at Vic Berry Leicester (11/1986)
D86	45105		16:25 on 11 May 1987	Preserved at Barrow Hill
D87	45127		14:43 on 7 May 1987	Scrapped at Crewe Works by J&S Metals (03/1994)
D88	45136		14:43 on 7 May 1987	Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (03/1992)
D89	45006	Honourable Artillery Company[15]	09/1986	Scrapped at Vic Berry Leicester (10/1988)
D90	45008		12/1980	Scrapped at Swindon Works (09/1983)
D91	45056		12/1985	Scrapped at Vic Berry Leicester (11/1986)
D92	45138		22 December 1986	Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (04/1994)
D93	45057		01/1985	Scrapped at Vic Berry Leicester (03/1987)
D94	45114		15:35 on 17 February 1987	Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (02/1994)
D95	45054		01/1985	Scrapped at Toton MPD by Vic Berry (11/1985)
D96	45101		13 November 1986	Scrapped at Vic Berry Leicester (10/1988)
D97	45058		09/1987	Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (03/1994)
D98	45059	Royal Engineer[15]	03/1986	Scrapped at Vic Berry Leicester (11/1988)
D99	45135	3rd Carabinier[15]	9 March 1987	Preserved at East Lancashire Railway
D100	45060	Sherwood Forester[15]	12/1985	Preserved at Barrow Hill
D101	45061		08/1981	Scrapped at Swindon Works (04/1982)
D102	45140	Mercury (unofficial name)	11:47 on 29 March 1988	Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (09/1991)
D103	45062		07/1987 last run was HRT "Baker's Dozen" Railtour 27 June 1987. Loco failed at MP10 WCML and was rescued by 31305	Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (03/1994)
D104	45063		05/1986	Scrapped at Vic Berry Leicester (11/1988)
D105	45064		01/1985	Scrapped at Vic Berry Leicester (11/1988)
D106	45106	Vulcan (unofficial name)	15:19 on 27 July 1988, reinstated 4 August 1988. Finally withdrawn 02/1989 after catching fire on 07:12 Derby to St Pancras 3 February 1989	Scrapped at CF Booth, Rotherham (04/1992)
D107	45120		24 March 1987	Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (11/1991)
D108	45012	Wyvern II (unofficial name)	07/1988	Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (03/1992)
D109	45139		27 April 1987	Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (03/1994)
D110	45065		03/1985	Scrapped at Vic Berry Leicester (12/1988)
D111	45129		11 June 1987	Scrapped at Vic Berry Leicester (12/1988)
D112	45010		03/1985	Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (11/1988)
D113	45128	Centaur (unofficial name)	2 August 1988. reinstated 02/1989 but not used after failed load test then finally withdrawn 04/1989. Reinstated to haul two railtours which had a class 45 booked for haulage, after 45106 caught fire and was withdrawn.[16][page needed]	Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (03/1992)
D114	45066	Amethyst (unofficial name)	07/1987. Reinstated September 1987 as 97413 then finally withdrawn on 26 July 1988	Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (10/1991)
D115	45067		07/1977 after collision at Ilkeston 8 July 1977 11:50 Glasgow-Nottingham	Scrapped at Derby Works (06/1980)
D116	45103	Griffon (unofficial name)	2 August 1988	Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (03/1990)
D117	45130		10 May 1987	Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (03/1992)
D118	45068		01/1986	Scrapped at Allerton TMD by Vic Berry (04/1986)
D119	45007	Taliesin (unofficial name)	07/1988	Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (03/1992)
D120	45108		11:27 on 4 August 1987	Preserved at Midland Railway – Butterley Owning group Peak Locomotive Company
D121	45069		07/1986	Scrapped at Vic Berry Leicester (10/1988)
D122	45070		01/1987	Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (11/1988)
D123	45125	Leicestershire & Derbyshire Yeomanry (name only carried in preservation)	14:43 on 7 May 1987. Rescued from MC Metals during the late 1980s and early 1990s[17]	Preserved at Great Central Railway
D124	45131		16:00 on 3 September 1986	Scrapped at Vic Berry Leicester (11/1988)
D125	45071		07/1981	Scrapped at Swindon Works (07/1983)
D126	45134	Neptune (unofficial name)	12:16 on 17 September 1987	Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (11/1991)
D127	45072		04/1985	Scrapped at Vic Berry Leicester (11/1986)
D128	45145	Scylla (unofficial name)	9 September 1987. Reinstated 19 October 1987 then finally withdrawn 11:11 on 23 February 1988	Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (12/1991)
D129	45073		10/1981	Scrapped at Derby Works (11/1982)
D130	45148		11:43 on 11 February 1987	Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (04/1992)
D131	45074		09/1985	Scrapped at Vic Berry Leicester (10/1988)
D132	45075		01/1985	Scrapped at Vic Berry Leicester (03/1987)
D133	45003		12/1985	Scrapped at Vic Berry Leicester (04/1987)
D134	45076		11/1986	Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (03/1994)
D135	45149	Phaeton (unofficial name)	16:00 on 14 September 1987	Preserved at Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway
D136	45077		08/1986	Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (09/1988)
D137	45014	The Cheshire Regiment[15]	03/1986 collision with 31 436 Chinley 9 March 1986	Scrapped at Ashburys by Vic Berry (08/1986)

Eleven locomotives survive in preservation with examples from both batches. The majority of the preserved engines were built at Crewe Works but two, including the spares donor engine,^[which?] were built at Derby Works. A summary of these follows:

• 45041 – In operational condition at the Nene Valley Railway^[18]
• 45060 – Undergoing engine overhaul at Barrow Hill Engine Shed
• 45105 – Undergoing restoration at Barrow Hill Engine Shed
• 45108 – In operational condition on loan at the East Lancashire Railway
• 45112 – Stored at Nemesis Rail, Burton upon Trent
• 45118 – Under overhaul at Crewe Diesel TMD
• 45125 – In operational condition at the Great Central Railway
• 45132 – Under overhaul at the Epping Ongar Railway^[19]
• 45133 – Under overhaul at the Midland Railway – Butterley
• 45135 – Under heavy repair at the East Lancashire Railway
• 45149 – In operational condition at the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway

A twelfth example, 45015, was also sold into preservation, but not restored. Withdrawn in March 1986 with a seized traction motor, for which repair was not authorised,^[20] 45015 was heavily cannibalised for spares to keep other Class 45s working. It remained at Toton, its home shed, until at least 1999.^{[citation needed]} The locomotive was moved to Shackerstone, on the Battlefield Line Railway, in 2002, still with the intention of restoration to mainline standard, despite requiring a replacement engine to be found.^[21] In 2010 the host railway gave notice to the locomotive's owner that the still unrestored 45015 needed to move to a new site. Having failed to find a buyer, 45015 was scrapped.^{[citation needed]}

Mainline Railways introduced OO gauge Class 45s in 1983; D49 The Manchester Regiment and D100 Sherwood Forester in BR green and 45048 The Royal Marines in BR blue.^[22]

• Buck, Martin (1988). 'Peaks' - In Retrospect. Pathfinder. ISBN 9780906025703. OCLC 862583032.
• Chalcraft, John (1983). Named Diesel and Electric Locomotives of British Rail Part 4: The Peaks British Rail Class 44, 45 & 46 Diesel Electrics. Rail Photoprints. ISBN 9780906883044. OCLC 16598805.
• Derrick, Kevin (2014). Looking back at Peaks. Strathwood. ISBN 9781905276479.
• Marsden, Colin J.; Fenn, Graham B. (1988). British Rail Main Line Diesel Locomotives. Sparkford: Haynes. pp. 188–195. ISBN 9780860933182. OCLC 17916362.
• Montague, Keith (1978). The Power of the Peaks. OPC. ISBN 9780902888999. OCLC 5196338.
• Morrison, Gavin (2005). The Heyday of the Peaks. Ian Allan. ISBN 9780711030572. OCLC 57575548.
• Preedy, Norman E. (1982). Book of the Peaks. Peter Watts. ISBN 9780906025314. OCLC 810796496.
• Vehicle Diagram Book No. 100 for Main Line Diesel Locomotives (PDF). Derby: British Railways Board. October 1984. pp. 25–26, 37, 106–107 (per pdf) – via Barrowmore MRG.
• Webb, Brian (1978). Sulzer Diesel Locomotives of British Rail. David & Charles. ISBN 0715375148.
• Whiteley, J.S; Morrison, G.W. (1983). Profile of the Peaks. OPC. ISBN 9780860931652. OCLC 10727331.
• Whitehouse, Alan (June 1982). "'Peak' performance". Rail Enthusiast. EMAP National Publications. pp. 22–25. ISSN 0262-561X. OCLC 49957965.
• Bishop, Donald J. (February 1983). "The noble art of 'Peak'-bashing". Rail Enthusiast. EMAP National Publications. pp. 38–41. ISSN 0262-561X. OCLC 49957965.
• Preedy, Norman (April 1983). "Another 'Peak' chapter ends". Rail Enthusiast. EMAP National Publications. p. 47. ISSN 0262-561X. OCLC 49957965.
• Roughley, Malcolm (May 1984). "'Peak' across the Pennines". Rail Enthusiast. EMAP National Publications. pp. 51–54. ISSN 0262-561X. OCLC 49957965.
• "D100 condemned as 45/0s dwindle". Rail Enthusiast. No. 53. EMAP National Publications. February 1986. p. 23. ISSN 0262-561X. OCLC 49957965.

• www.45133.co.uk