How it seemed in 1959

[Andy Kirkham]

From Trains Illustrated March 1959. Things did mostly transpire as predicted, but the predictions had an intriguingly different emphasis.

 

New N.B. Loco. 2,000 h.p. units

Recent reports that further North British Locomotive Co. 2,000 h.p. diesel-hydraulic locomotives on order for the Western Region, Nos D605-37, would be mounted on four-wheel bogies are now confirmed. We understand that several features of the Swindon-built 2,2,00 h.p. units, including stressed skin construction and pivotless bogies, will be incorporated into the the new N.B.L. locomotives, as well as a number of modifications dictated by experience of both types. We hear also that the engine governors of the N.B.L. "Warship" class locomotives have now been modified to lift the maximum speed from 90 to 120 m.p.h*. As we reported last month, 106 m.p.h. has been recorded near Bruton with one of these machines on the "Cornish Riviera Express", and we understand that 110 m.p.h. was touched with recent trials of a "Warship" to timings based on the projected acceleration of the "Bristolian".

 

* No need for the HST, then.

 

Edited August 31, 2021 by Andy Kirkham