BRITISH RAIL DP2

'DP2', meaning 'D'iesel 'P'rototype number '2', was a prototype 'Type 4' mainline diesel locomotive built in 1962 by English Electric at their Vulcan Foundry in Newton-le-Willows to demonstrate its wares to British Railways. As the Deltics were then in production, it was decided to produce the locomotive on the same production line; the bodyshell used for DP2 reputedly being the eighteenth made. While DP2 looked like a Class 55 locomotive in outline, there were many detail differences; particularly the large bodyside radiator vents at one end, and the single roof fan as opposed to the two symmetrically placed fans on the Deltics. These differences were the external effect of DP2 being totally different to the twin-engined Deltics internally, being the forerunner of the Class 50.
It was of Co-Co wheel arrangement and was fitted with an English Electric 16CSVT engine of 2700-hp. It had a maximum speed of 90 mph and weighed 105 tons. It was initially painted in standard BR Brunswick Green livery and later (from 1965) in two-tone green livery with a light green lower bodyside band.
BR tested it initially on London Midland Region services out of London Euston and later on the Eastern Region from London King's Cross. On 31st July 1967 it was involved in a serious accident at Thirsk. The damage proved to be so great that it was considered uneconomical to repair and was withdrawn. It was scrapped in September 1967 at the Vulcan Foundry in Newton Le Willows but donated its engine to a Class 50 then being built (believed to be D423/50 023 'Howe').