In 1962 English Electric built a single-engined alternative to the Deltic locomotives using the latest 2,700bhp version of the medium-speed 16-cylinder engine used in LMS 10000 and BR class 40 locomotives. Needing powerful diesel locomotives to speed up services over the northern end of the West Coast Mainline pending the completion of electrification BR ordered 50 locomotives, with the body revised to the styling used for the standard type 4, class 47. Designated TOPS class 50 all 50 locomotives were transferred to the Western region in the mid 1970s and were refurbished in the early 1980s, receiving large logo livery. Although all of the class were withdrawn from BR service by the end of 1994 6 of the class have been returned to mainline service working railtours and available as spot hire locomotives.
SPECIFICATION
- Highly-detailed OO scale model, 1:76.2 scale
- Minimum Radius 438mm (2nd Radius Set-track) in OO
- Die-cast metal chassis
- RP25-110 profile OO wheels with provision for re-gauging with scale-sized wheels for P4/EM gauges – with simple ride height adjustment – and ability to set brake blocks in line with wheels
- Separately-applied etched metal/plastic detail parts, including grab handles, steps, wipers, etc.
- Scale width wire handrails
- Etched metal pre-painted nameplates and crests (where applicable) provided for customer to install
- Interchangeable printed headcodes with full description covering the first nine years of the class plus preservation era
- Scale-sized and body mounted snowploughs provided for customer to install which allows coupler use if you omit the centre plough, with additional one-piece NEM mounted option
- Full underframe tank, battery box and full-formed compressor detail with extensive pipework and other separate parts
- Fully sprung metal buffers and bufferplate, factory-fitted pipework and screw couplings (for display)
- Fully sprung buffers, super-fine pipework and screw couplings (for display)
- Kinetic NEM coupler mounts at correct height and mini-tension-lock couplers
Deluxe Features
- Separately powered working radiator fan with different speed settings
- PowerPack capacitor for uninterrupted power
- Custom ‘Accurathrash’ Speaker Technology including large ‘Accurathrash’ Style Bass Speaker (on DCC Sound-fitted models only)
- Hall sensor for flange squeal effect (on DCC Sound-fitted models only)
DCC Features
- DCC ready with PowerPack capacitor for uninterrupted power
- DCC ready or Factory-Fitted DCC Sound options
High Performance Traction features
- Five-Pole motor with two flywheels
- Helical Gear box for maximum performance and slow speed running
- Gearing arranged so locomotive can achieve scale speed of 125 mph (200 km/h)
- All wheel drive (sprung centre axle) and all wheel pickup
Fully detailed Lighting Pack features:
- Directional lighting, DC and DCC
- Switchable Red and white marker lights with day/night options
- Switchable Red and white marker lights with correctly configured lights for preservation era oddballs 50008 and 50044
- Interior lighting with cast electrical compartment and engine bay detail on metal motor enclosure
- Separately switched cab lighting and illuminated, driver’s desk, auto/off on movement