British Rail 18100

British Rail 18100 was a prototype main line gas turbine-electric locomotive built for British Railways in 1951. It was built by Metropolitan Vickers, Manchester. It was ordered by the Great Western Railway in the 1940s, but construction was delayed by World War II. It spent its working life on the Western Region of British Railways, operating express passenger services from London Paddington station.

British Rail 18100
Type and origin Power type Gas turbine-electric Builder Metropolitan Vickers, Trafford Park Order number GWR Lot 388 Build date 1951
Specifications Configuration: ​  • UIC Co'Co' Gauge 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) Wheel diameter 3 ft 8 in (1.118 m) Wheelbase 53 ft 0 in (16.15 m) Length 66 ft 9+1⁄4 in (20.35 m) Width 9 ft 0 in (2.74 m) Height 12 ft 10 in (3.91 m) Loco weight 129.50 long tons (131.58 t) Generator Metropolitan-Vickers, 3 off Traction motors Metropolitan-Vickers, 6 off Transmission DC generators DC traction motors Train heating Spanner steam generator Train brakes Vacuum
Performance figures Power output 3,000 hp (2,240 kW) At rail: 2,450 hp (1,830 kW) Tractive effort 60,000 lbf (266.89 kN)
Career Power class BR Type 5 First run 1952 Last run 1954 Retired December 1957 Disposition Rebuilt to 25 kV electric locomotive E1000 (E2001 from 1959)

Rebuilding

It was rebuilt as an electric locomotive in 1958 and became British Rail Class 80. It was scrapped in 1973.