Bulleid’s modern traction masterpiece

OLIVER BULLEID designed a large 1Co-Co1 diesel electric locomotive between 1945 and 1946, with the aim of replacing larger express passenger steam locomotives on the Southern Railway.

It was to be equipped with English Electric engines and traction motors, and built with a body profile to match Bulleid coaching stock. Three evaluation locomotives were constructed between 1950 and 1954: two at Ashford (Nos. 10201-2 – Class D16/2) and one at Brighton (No. 10203 – sometimes classified as D16/3). The latter locomotive incorporated an uprated engine and various other improvements to the design which formed the basis of the pilot scheme Class 40s.

Nationalisation loomed large after the war which saw the locomotives completed by British Railways instead of the Southern Railway. Nonetheless, they took to Southern metals for their first few years of service after a number of trial runs including turns to Derby, taking up regular express passenger