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British Rail Class 45

The British Rail Class 45 or Sulzer Type 4 are diesel locomotives built by British Railways' Derby and Crewe Works between 1960 and 1962. Along with the similar Class 44 and 46 locomotives, they became known as Peaks.

Derby Type 4
British Rail Class 45
A Class 45 south of Loughborough in July 1975
Type and origin
Power typeDiesel-electric
BuilderBritish Railways' Derby Works and Crewe Works
Build date1960–1962
Total produced127
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • UIC(1′Co)(Co1′)
 • Commonwealth1Co-Co1
Wheel diameter3 ft 9 in (1.143 m)
Minimum curve5 chains (100 m)
Wheelbase59 ft 8 in (18.19 m)
Length67 ft 11 in (20.70 m)
Width8 ft 10+1⁄2 in (2.71 m)
Height12 ft 10 in (3.91 m)
Loco weight133 long tons (135 t; 149 short tons)
Fuel capacity840 imp gal (3,800 L; 1,010 US gal)
Prime moverSulzer 12LDA28-B
Engine typefour stroke 12 cylinder double bank
Displacement12× 22 litres (1,300 cu in) per cylinder,
or 264 litres (16,100 cu in) total
GeneratorCrompton Parkinson
Traction motorsCrompton Parkinson
Cylinders12
Cylinder size280 mm × 360 mm (11.024 in × 14.173 in), bore × stroke
MU working★ Blue Star
Train heating45/0: Steam
45/1: Electric Train Heat
Loco brakeAir
Train brakesVacuum and Air
Performance figures
Maximum speed90 mph (145 km/h)
Power outputEngine: 2,500 bhp (1,864 kW)
At rail: 2,000 hp (1,491 kW)
Tractive effortMaximum: 55,000 lbf (245 kN)
Brakeforce63 long tons-force (628 kN)
Career
OperatorsBritish Railways
NumbersD11–D137; later 45001–45077, 45101–45150
NicknamesPeak
Axle load classRoute availability 7
Withdrawn1981-1989
DispositionEleven preserved, remainder scrapped

Technical details

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Engine

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The engine of the Class 45 was a marine-type, slow-revving diesel, a Sulzer 12LDA28B with a bore of 280 mm (11.024 in) (hence the 28 in the engine designation) and a stroke of 360 mm (14.173 in). This gave 22 litres (1,300 cu in) per cylinder, or 264 litres (16,100 cu in) for the whole engine. The unit was turbocharged and intercooled and gave 2,500 hp (1,900 kW) at 750 rpm. The engine was of the double bank type with two parallel banks of 6 cylinders, geared together to a single output shaft.[1][page needed] Six-cylinder versions of the engine were fitted in the Class 25 locos (amongst others) and eight-cylinder versions in Class 33s.[2] Class 45s were the updated versions of the Class 44 locomotives, the latter having a 2,300 hp (1,700 kW) non-intercooled version of the same engine; i.e. the 12LDA28A. The later Class 47 had a modified version of the same engine, a 12LDA28C.

Train heating

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When initially put into service, the locomotives were fitted with multi-unit working and steam-heating boilers for passenger service. In the early 1970s, fifty were fitted with electric train supply in place of their steam-heating boilers and assigned to work services on the Midland Main Line from London St Pancras to Nottingham, Derby and Sheffield. These locomotives were renumbered as Class 45/1.[3]

Locomotive auxiliary supply

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The Class 45 is unusual in having a 220 volt electrical system for driving auxiliary systems and battery charging.[4] Most British Railways diesels of the same era had 110 volt auxiliaries.

History

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Distribution of locomotives,
March 1974[5]
 
 
CW
 
HO
 
TO
Code Name Quantity
CW Cricklewood 11
HO Holbeck 39
TO Toton 77
Total: 127

The Class 45s became the main traction on the Midland Main Line from 1962, and their introduction allowed considerable acceleration of the previous steam-powered service. The Class 45s remained the main source of power on the Midland Main Line up to 1982, when they were relegated to secondary services following introduction of HSTs on the route. From 1986 Class 45s virtually disappeared from the line.[6][page needed] From the early 1980s until their withdrawal c. 1988, the class were regular performers on the North Trans-Pennine line working services from Liverpool Lime Street to York, Scarborough or Newcastle via Manchester Victoria, Huddersfield and Leeds. These trains were usually formed of early Mark 2 carriages, of up to seven in a typical train.

Accidents and incidents

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  • On 6 December 1963 a freight train hauled by D94 passed at least two stop signals and collided with a goods train which was crossing the line at Stanton Gate railway station under clear signals. The front end of D94 was almost totally destroyed, causing the deaths of the driver and second man.[7][8][9]
  • On 26 August 1976 locomotive No; 45 149, while hauling a coal train, derailed near Winchcombe due to 'unusual' activity on the line.[clarification needed]
  • On 16 January 1982, locomotive No. 45 074 was hauling a freight train that was derailed at Chinley, Derbyshire.[10]
 
45147 at Patricroft after the Eccles rail crash
  • On 4 December 1984, locomotive No. 45 147 was badly damaged in the Eccles rail crash, and subsequently moved to Patricroft where it was cut-up in March 1985.[citation needed]
  • On 9 March 1986, locomotive No. 45 014 The Cheshire Regiment was one of two light engines that were hit head-on by a passenger train at Chinley due to a signalman's error. One person was killed. Lack of training and a power cut were contributory factors.[11] The locomotive was consequently withdrawn from service and scrapped.[12]
  • On 24 April 1988, locomotive No. 45 041 split a set of points and was derailed at Edale, Derbyshire.[13]

Withdrawal

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The great majority of Class 45s were withdrawn between 1981 and 1988 after class 43 HSTs were introduced to their routes, and the last was withdrawn from service by 1989.[14][page needed]

Fleet details

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Naming

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26 Class 45s were officially named by BR after various British Army regiments and the Royal Marines. Additionally, several were unofficially named.

 
45118's nameplate

Fleet list

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Number(s) Name Withdrawn Disposal details
1957 series TOPS
D11 45122 04/1987 Scrapped at MC Metals, Glasgow (02/1994)
D12 45011 05/1981 Scrapped at Derby Works (09/1981)
D13 45001 01/1986 Scrapped at Derby Works (11/1988)
D14 45015 03/1986 Still in derelict condition at the Battlefield Line (As of May 2024)
D15 45018 04/1981 Scrapped at Swindon Works (10/1982)
D16 45016 11/1985 Scrapped at Vic Berry, Leicester (12/1986)
D17 45024 10/1980 due to fire damage Scrapped at Swindon Works (08/1983)
D18 45121 Pegasus (unofficial name) 19 November 1987 Scrapped by Thomas Hill at Crewe Works (09/1993)
D19 45025 05/1981 Scrapped at Derby Works (11/1981)
D20 45013 Wyvern (unofficial name) 04/1987 Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (02/1994)
D21 45026 04/1986 Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (11/1988)
D22 45132 09:39 on 11 May 1987 Preserved at Epping Ongar Railway
D23 45017 08/1985 Training Loco ADB 968024 Toton September 1985-00.1988[clarification needed] Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (11/1991)
D24 45027 05/1981 Scrapped at Swindon Works (09/1983)
D25 45021 12/1980 Scrapped at Swindon Works (04/1983)
D26 45020 12/1985 Scrapped at Vic Berry Leicester (08/1988)
D27 45028 01/1981 Scrapped at Swindon Works (04/1983)
D28 45124 Unicorn (unofficial name) 12:34 on 22 January 1988 withdrawn due to bogie fire Leicester 29 December 1987 Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (10/1991)
D29 45002 09/1984 Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (11/1988)
D30 45029 07/1987 reinstated as 97 410 September 1987 withdrawn August 1988 Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (10/1991)
D31 45030 11/1980 Scrapped at Derby Works (03/1981)
D32 45126 27 April 1987 Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (04/1992)
D33 45019 09/1985 Scrapped at Vic Berry Leicester (01/1987)
D34 45119 7 May 1987 Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (04/1994)
D35 45117 12 May 1986 Scrapped at Vic Berry Leicester (02/1987)
D36 45031 05/1981 Scrapped at Derby Works (10/1981)
D37 45009 09/1986 Scrapped at Vic Berry Leicester (08/1988)
D38 45032 12/1980 Scrapped at Swindon Works (09/1983)
D39 45033 Sirius (unofficial name) 02/1988 Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (02/1992)
D40 45133 10 May 1987 Preserved at Midland Railway – Butterley Owned by the Class 45/1 Preservation Society
D41 45147 4 January 1985 due to damage in Salford accident 4 December 1984 Scrapped at Patricroft by Vic Berry Leicester (03/1985)
D42 45034 07/1987 reinstated September 1987 as 97411 withdrawn July 1988 Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (05/1992)
D43 45107 Phoenix (unofficial name) 15:19 on 27 July 1988 Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (03/1990)
D44 45035 05/1981 Scrapped at Derby Works (11/1981)
D45 45036 05/1986 Scrapped at Vic Berry Leicester (08/1988)
D46 45037 Eclipse (unofficial name) 07/1988 Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (03/1992)
D47 45116 22 December 1986 Scrapped at Vic Berry Leicester (09/1988)
D48 45038 06/1985 Scrapped at Vic Berry Leicester (12/1986)
D49 45039 The Manchester Regiment[15] 12/1980 Scrapped at Swindon Works (04/1983)
D50 45040 The King's Shropshire Light Infantry[15] 07/1987 reinstated as 97412 September 1987 withdrawn August 1988 Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (10/1991)
D51 45102 9 September 1986 Scrapped at Vic Berry Leicester (10/1988)
D52 45123 The Lancashire Fusilier[15] 22 July 1986 Scrapped at Vic Berry Leicester (11/1988)
D53 45041 Royal Tank Regiment[15] 8 June 1988 Preserved at Midland Railway – Butterley Owning group Peak Locomotive Company
D54 45023 The Royal Pioneer Corps[15] 09/1984 Scrapped at Vic Berry Leicester (10/1986)
D55 45144 Royal Signals[15] 21 December 1987 Scrapped at Vic Berry Leicester (06/1988)
D56 45137 Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment (T.A.)[15] 16 June 1987 Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (03/1994)
D57 45042 04/1985 Scrapped at Vic Berry Leicester (11/1986)
D58 45043 The King's Own Royal Border Regiment[15] 09/1984 Scrapped at Vic Berry Leicester (01/1987)
D59 45104 The Royal Warwickshire Fusilier[15] 13 April 1988 Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (02/1992)
D60 45022 Lytham St. Annes[15] 07/1987 reinstated September 1987 as 97409 withdrawn July 1988 Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (10/1991)
D61 45112 The Royal Army Ordnance Corps[15] 14:43 on 7 May 1987 Main Line Operational
D62 45143 5th Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards[15] 14:43 on 7 May 1987 Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (03/1994)
D63 45044 Royal Inniskilling Fusilier[15] 06/1987 Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (11/1988)
D64 45045 Coldstream Guardsman[15] 05/1983 due to collision at Saltley 10 February 1983 Scrapped at Vic Berry Leicester (10/1986)
D65 45111 Grenadier Guardsman[15] 14:43 on 7 May 1987 Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (04/1992)
D66 45146 7 April 1987 Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (03/1992)
D67 45118 The Royal Artilleryman[15] 8 May 1987 Preserved; stored at Loram Derby
D68 45046 Royal Fusilier[15] 08/1988 Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (05/1992)
D69 45047 08/1980 Scrapped at Derby Works (02/1981)
D70 45048 The Royal Marines[15] 06/1985 Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (11/1988)
D71 45049 The Staffordshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own)[15] 10/1987 Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (11/1988)
D72 45050 09/1984 Scrapped at Vic Berry Leicester (03/1987)
D73 45110 Medusa (unofficial name) 15:19 on 27 July 1988 Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (03/1990)
D74 45051 04/1987 Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (11/1988)
D75 45052 Satan and Nimrod (unofficial names) 06/1988 Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (09/1991)
D76 45053 11/1983 Scrapped at Crewe Works by A Hampton (10/1988)
D77 45004 Royal Irish Fusilier[15] 12/1985 Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (11/1988)
D78 45150 Vampire (unofficial name) 10:40 on 4 February 1988 Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (12/1991)
D79 45005 03/1986 Scrapped at Vic Berry Leicester (12/1988)
D80 45113 Athene (unofficial name) 2 August 1988 Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (03/1990)
D81 45115 13 June 1988 Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (03/1990)
D82 45141 Zephyr (unofficial name) 4 August 1988 Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (03/1992)
D83 45142 19 June 1987 Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (03/1994)
D84 45055 Royal Corps of Transport[15] 04/1985 Scrapped at Vic Berry Leicester (11/1986)
D85 45109 27 January 1986 Scrapped at Vic Berry Leicester (11/1986)
D86 45105 16:25 on 11 May 1987 Preserved at Barrow Hill
D87 45127 14:43 on 7 May 1987 Scrapped at Crewe Works by J&S Metals (03/1994)
D88 45136 14:43 on 7 May 1987 Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (03/1992)
D89 45006 Honourable Artillery Company[15] 09/1986 Scrapped at Vic Berry Leicester (10/1988)
D90 45008 12/1980 Scrapped at Swindon Works (09/1983)
D91 45056 12/1985 Scrapped at Vic Berry Leicester (11/1986)
D92 45138 22 December 1986 Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (04/1994)
D93 45057 01/1985 Scrapped at Vic Berry Leicester (03/1987)
D94 45114 15:35 on 17 February 1987 Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (02/1994)
D95 45054 01/1985 Scrapped at Toton MPD by Vic Berry (11/1985)
D96 45101 13 November 1986 Scrapped at Vic Berry Leicester (10/1988)
D97 45058 09/1987 Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (03/1994)
D98 45059 Royal Engineer[15] 03/1986 Scrapped at Vic Berry Leicester (11/1988)
D99 45135 3rd Carabinier[15] 9 March 1987 Preserved at East Lancashire Railway
D100 45060 Sherwood Forester[15] 12/1985 Preserved at Barrow Hill
D101 45061 08/1981 Scrapped at Swindon Works (04/1982)
D102 45140 Mercury (unofficial name) 11:47 on 29 March 1988 Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (09/1991)
D103 45062 07/1987 last run was HRT "Baker's Dozen" Railtour 27 June 1987. Loco failed at MP10 WCML and was rescued by 31305 Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (03/1994)
D104 45063 05/1986 Scrapped at Vic Berry Leicester (11/1988)
D105 45064 01/1985 Scrapped at Vic Berry Leicester (11/1988)
D106 45106 Vulcan (unofficial name) 15:19 on 27 July 1988, reinstated 4 August 1988. Finally withdrawn 02/1989 after catching fire on 07:12 Derby to St Pancras 3 February 1989 Scrapped at CF Booth, Rotherham (04/1992)
D107 45120 24 March 1987 Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (11/1991)
D108 45012 Wyvern II (unofficial name) 07/1988 Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (03/1992)
D109 45139 27 April 1987 Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (03/1994)
D110 45065 03/1985 Scrapped at Vic Berry Leicester (12/1988)
D111 45129 11 June 1987 Scrapped at Vic Berry Leicester (12/1988)
D112 45010 03/1985 Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (11/1988)
D113 45128 Centaur (unofficial name) 2 August 1988. reinstated 02/1989 but not used after failed load test then finally withdrawn 04/1989. Reinstated to haul two railtours which had a class 45 booked for haulage, after 45106 caught fire and was withdrawn.[16][page needed] Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (03/1992)
D114 45066 Amethyst (unofficial name) 07/1987. Reinstated September 1987 as 97413 then finally withdrawn on 26 July 1988 Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (10/1991)
D115 45067 07/1977 after collision at Ilkeston 8 July 1977 11:50 Glasgow-Nottingham Scrapped at Derby Works (06/1980)
D116 45103 Griffon (unofficial name) 2 August 1988 Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (03/1990)
D117 45130 10 May 1987 Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (03/1992)
D118 45068 01/1986 Scrapped at Allerton TMD by Vic Berry (04/1986)
D119 45007 Taliesin (unofficial name) 07/1988 Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (03/1992)
D120 45108 11:27 on 4 August 1987 Preserved at Midland Railway – Butterley Owning group Peak Locomotive Company
D121 45069 07/1986 Scrapped at Vic Berry Leicester (10/1988)
D122 45070 01/1987 Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (11/1988)
D123 45125 Leicestershire & Derbyshire Yeomanry (name only carried in preservation) 14:43 on 7 May 1987. Rescued from MC Metals during the late 1980s and early 1990s[17] Preserved at Great Central Railway
D124 45131 16:00 on 3 September 1986 Scrapped at Vic Berry Leicester (11/1988)
D125 45071 07/1981 Scrapped at Swindon Works (07/1983)
D126 45134 Neptune (unofficial name) 12:16 on 17 September 1987 Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (11/1991)
D127 45072 04/1985 Scrapped at Vic Berry Leicester (11/1986)
D128 45145 Scylla (unofficial name) 9 September 1987. Reinstated 19 October 1987 then finally withdrawn 11:11 on 23 February 1988 Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (12/1991)
D129 45073 10/1981 Scrapped at Derby Works (11/1982)
D130 45148 11:43 on 11 February 1987 Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (04/1992)
D131 45074 09/1985 Scrapped at Vic Berry Leicester (10/1988)
D132 45075 01/1985 Scrapped at Vic Berry Leicester (03/1987)
D133 45003 12/1985 Scrapped at Vic Berry Leicester (04/1987)
D134 45076 11/1986 Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (03/1994)
D135 45149 Phaeton (unofficial name) 16:00 on 14 September 1987 Preserved at Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway
D136 45077 08/1986 Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (09/1988)
D137 45014 The Cheshire Regiment[15] 03/1986 collision with 31 436 Chinley 9 March 1986 Scrapped at Ashburys by Vic Berry (08/1986)

Preservation

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D100 Sherwood Forester at Bournemouth Open Day, 1992

Eleven locomotives survive in preservation with examples from both batches. The majority of the preserved engines were built at Crewe Works but two, including the spares donor engine,[which?] were built at Derby Works. A summary of these follows:

A twelfth example, 45015, was also sold into preservation, but not restored. Withdrawn in March 1986 with a seized traction motor, for which repair was not authorised,[20] 45015 was heavily cannibalised for spares to keep other Class 45s working. It remained at Toton, its home shed, until at least 1999.[citation needed] The locomotive was moved to Shackerstone, on the Battlefield Line Railway, in 2002, still with the intention of restoration to mainline standard, despite requiring a replacement engine to be found.[21] In 2010 the host railway gave notice to the locomotive's owner that the still unrestored 45015 needed to move to a new site. Having failed to find a buyer, 45015 was scrapped.[citation needed]

Model railways

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Mainline Railways introduced OO gauge Class 45s in 1983; D49 The Manchester Regiment and D100 Sherwood Forester in BR green and 45048 The Royal Marines in BR blue.[22]

References

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  1. ^ Batty, Stephen R. (1985). The Last Years of The Peaks. London: Ian Allan. ISBN 9780711014930. OCLC 16923232.
  2. ^ Railway Magazine. July 1992. p. 50. {{cite magazine}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  3. ^ "The Peaks". 6lda28.com. Archived from the original on 13 February 2012. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
  4. ^ "Peak Locomotive Company Ltd 154". Peakloco.com. Retrieved 24 July 2012.
  5. ^ British Railways Locoshed Book 1974 edition. Shepperton: Ian Allan. 1974. pp. 30–31. ISBN 0-7110-0558-3.
  6. ^ Hobson, A. Wyn (1991). Rail Portfolios No. 14: The 'Peaks' - Second Series. Ian Allan. ISBN 9780711019416. OCLC 59841862.
  7. ^ "Stanton Gate railway crash: 50th anniversary marked". BBC News. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
  8. ^ "Collision at Stanton Gate LMR". Modern Railways. Vol. XX. Shepperton: Ian Allan. September 1964. p. 208.
  9. ^ "Stanton Gate Accident". 6 December 1966.
  10. ^ Earnshaw, Alan (1989). Trains in Trouble: Vol. 5. Penryn: Atlantic Books. p. 3. ISBN 0-906899-35-4.
  11. ^ Vaughan, Adrian (1989). Obstruction Danger. Wellingborough: Patrick Stephens Limited. pp. 240–48. ISBN 1-85260-055-1.
  12. ^ Butlin, Ashley (1988). Diesels and Electrics for scrap. Penryn: Atlantic Books. p. 43. ISBN 0-906899-27-3.
  13. ^ Earnshaw, Alan (1990). Trains in Trouble: Vol. 6. Penryn: Atlantic Books. p. 47. ISBN 0-906899-37-0.
  14. ^ Sugden, S.A. Diesel Loco Register.
  15. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z Williams, Alan; Percival, David (1974). British Railways locomotives and other motive power. Shepperton: Ian Allan Ltd. pp. 46–48.
  16. ^ Motive Power Monthly. April 1989. {{cite magazine}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  17. ^ Butcher, Shannon (21 January 2020). "DERBY TRAINMAN: '45' NOT OUT". Rail Express. Mortons Media Group Ltd. Retrieved 21 January 2020.
  18. ^ Diesel Locomotives in Service Nee Valley Railway
  19. ^ "Diesel Locomotives". Archived from the original on 11 November 2017.
  20. ^ "45 015 – A Potted History". The 45015 Fund. Archived from the original on 21 March 2012. Retrieved 29 March 2011.
  21. ^ "45 015 – Frequently Asked Questions". (...concerning intention of restoration). The 45015 Fund. Archived from the original on 21 March 2012. Retrieved 29 March 2011.
  22. ^ "Mainline's big plans for 1983". Rail Enthusiast. EMAP National Publications. March 1983. pp. 36–7. ISSN 0262-561X. OCLC 49957965.

Further reading

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