British Rail Class 48

The British Rail Class 48 was a diesel locomotive class which consisted of five examples, built at Brush Falcon Works in Loughborough and delivered between September 1965 and July 1966. They were part of the British Rail Class 47 order, but differed from their classmates by being fitted with a Sulzer V12 12LVA24 power unit producing 2,650 bhp (1,976 kW), as opposed to the standard 12LDA28C twin-bank twelve-cylinder unit of the remaining fleet.

Brush Type 4 British Rail Class 48
Former Class 48, No.47117, at Weymouth station with a holiday passenger train in 1989.
Type and origin Power type Diesel-electric Builder Brush Traction, Falcon Works Build date 1965–1966 Total produced 5
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte Co-Co  • UIC Co'Co' Wheel diameter 3 ft 9 in (1.143 m) Wheelbase 51 ft 6 in (15.70 m) Length 63 ft 6 in (19.35 m) Width 8 ft 10 in (2.69 m) Height 12 ft 9+3⁄8 in (3.90 m) Loco weight 112 long tons (114 t) Prime mover Sulzer 12LVA24 MU working Not fitted Train heating Steam generator Train brakes Vacuum
Performance figures Top speed 95 mph (153 km/h) Power output Engine: 2,650 bhp (1,976 kW) Brakeforce 60 long tons-force (598 kN)
Career Railroad(s) British Rail Number D1702–D1706 Axle load class Route availability 7 (RA 6 from 1969) Disposition Re-engined to Class 47, 1969–1971