British Rail Class 16

class of 10 Bo′Bo′ 800hp diesel-electric locomotives

The British Rail Class 16, originally known as the North British Type 1 was a type of diesel locomotive ordered under British Railways' 1955 Modernisation Plan. Like other Type 1 designs, they were relatively small locomotives intended primarily for local freight traffic.

NBL Type 1
British Rail Class 16
No. D8403 in green livery with all-yellow front end at Stratford MPD in 1966
Type and origin
Power typeDiesel-electric
BuilderNorth British Locomotive Company
Serial number27671–27680
Build date1958
Total produced10
Specifications
Configuration:
 • UICBo′Bo′
 • CommonwealthBo-Bo
Gauge4 ft 8 12 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Wheel diameter3 ft 7 in (1.092 m)
Minimum curve3.5 chains (70.41 m)
Wheelbase28 ft 6 in (8.69 m)
Length42 ft 6 in (12.95 m)
Width8 ft 8+12 in (2.654 m)
Height12 ft 8 in (3.861 m)
Loco weight68 long tons (69 t; 76 short tons)
Fuel capacity400 imp gal (1,800 L; 480 US gal)
Prime moverPaxman 16YHXL
Displacement78.4 L (4,780 cu in)
GeneratorGEC WT 881 (plus GEC auxiliary generator
Traction motors4 x GEC WT 441, nose suspended, with single reduction gear drive
Cylinders16
Cylinder size7 in (178 mm) bore
7+34 in (197 mm) stroke
TransmissionDiesel electric
MU working Red Circle
Train heatingNone; through steam pipe
Train brakesVacuum
Performance figures
Maximum speed60 mph (97 km/h)
Power outputEngine: 800 hp (597 kW)
At rail: 627 hp (468 kW)
Tractive effortMaximum: 42,000 lbf (186.8 kN)
Brakeforce31 long tons-force (310 kN)
Career
OperatorsBritish Railways
NumbersD8400–D8409
Axle load classRoute availability 4
Retired1968
DispositionAll scrapped