DELTIC Locomotives Reduced

Rare Specialist Publication, 1982.96 pages. Hardcover with Dustjacket in Very Good Condition. Postage 3.50
THE DELTIC LOCOMOTIVES OF BRITISH RAIL Brian Webb
The Deltic engined diesel electric loco motive did not really conform to conventional engineering and railway thinking, yet in spite of this in its 3300hp form the locomotive loc had a profound effect. The East Coast Main Line authorities chose the Deltic to lift its passenger services out of the steam age into the competitive climate of the motorway and domestic airline and the impact of these locomotives on timetables cannot be denied.

Only 33 Deltic locomotives were ever built, but more were planned for home and overseas. The 22 class 55 locomotives remained supreme in the British Rail locomotive fleet holding an unassailable position from 1961-79 until the Inter-City 125 HSTs came into fleet service. Initially unpopular because they demoted and hastened the demise of the Gresley, Thompson, and Peppercorn Pacifics, they have subsequently gained a following almost equalling their steam predecessors.

This book deals with the 1955 Prototype Deltic, the Baby Deltics, and the class 55 locomotives, covering their design, development, their operational problems and the steps taken to rectify them. Much of the information is revealed publicly for the first tume, being the result of four years' research in official archives by an author specialising in the field of British diesel and electric rail traction.