DIESEL PIONEERS

In the year that marks the 50th anniversary of the Modernisation Plan, there can be no better time to produce this definitive account of the pioneering diesel locomotive designs of British Railways. The book begins by looking at the precursors to the designs that were developed from 1955 onwards, such as the LNER prototype of the 1930s and the first two LMS main line diesels (Nos 10000/1). It then concentrates on the pilot scheme designs that emerged during the late 1950s. Some of these, such as the future Classes 20 and 31, have proved to be hugely successful with examples still in service almost 50 years later. Others proved disappointing, notably the Metro-Vick Co-Bo Class 28 and the Class 23 ‘Baby Deltics’. Also featured are the various prototype locomotives such as D0260 Lion and D0280 (D1200) Falcon and the test-bed locomotives of Classes 37 and 47.

The detailed narrative of the history and operational record of the various types, is accompanied by many illustrations portraying the locomotives featured. With interest in the early diesel classes continuing to grow, and increasing numbers of locomotives in preservation, this book will become a standard work of reference for all those interested in this fascinating period and the locomotives that resulted from it. 

Author: David N Clough
Format: HB 160 pages
Publisher: Ian Allan Ltd
Pub date: Nov 2005
ISBN 10: 0711030677
ISBN 13: 9780711030671

List Price: £19.99