Class 44 / 45 / 46 'Peak' 1CoCo1
Rapido's new 'Peak' Class 44, 45 and 46 1CoCo1 models will feature a variety of detail differences seen across the locomotives working life (including plated-over steps on the body side, removal of inner sandboxes and extra steps on the bogies) to allow us to produce the definitive N gauge class 44 model. These new models will feature a high-quality specification including:
- Directional Lighting
- Next18 Decoder Socket
- High quality motor and drive mechanism for smooth running
- DCC Sound option
- NEM Coupler pockets
- Separately fitted handrails and wipers
- A selection of discs so you may apply your chosen headcode
- Etched radiator fan grill with separate fan.
BR ordered ten new Co-Cos from Derby Works as part of its appraisal of comparative locomotive designs (dubbed the ‘Pilot Scheme’). They were inspired by the LMS’ and Southern’s pioneer diesel designs and were outwardly similar to English Electric’s Type 4 (subsequently Class 40). Although fitted with a Sulzer 12LDA28 diesel engine capable of 2,300hp, the new BR Type 4s were heavy. Their 133 ton weight required a 1Co-Co1 wheel arrangement.
The first, D1, emerged from Derby in 1959 and was named Scafell Pike. The remaining nine locomotives were also named after English and Welsh peaks and the class soon gained the nickname ‘Peak’, which was also applied to the subsequent Class 45s and Class 46s.
Although a mixed traffic design, they were initially used on West Coast Main Line passenger services before being transferred en masse to the Midland Main Line. The subsequent arrival of the Sulver Type 4s (later Class 45) meant that the BR Type 4s (which would become Class 44 on TOPS) were allocated predominantly to freight work radiating out from Toton. Consequently, they could be seen as far afield as York or Severn Tunnel Junction.
Any small class of locomotive was always under threat and the ‘44s’ were no exceptions. 44003 was withdrawn in July 1976 and all had gone by the end of 1980. Happily, two survive: D8 Penyghent is based at Peak Rail and D4 Great Gable is owned by the Peak Locomotive Company and is based at the Midland Railway-Butterley.
The Class 45 and 46s were pretty much identical to the 44s, also weighing in at around 135 tonnes and powered by a diesel power unit produced by Swiss engineering company Sulzer. However, the newer power units produced 2500 horsepower, 200 more than their predecessors.
With the success of the first Type 4 diesels, Derby Works began the development of the next generation of even more powerful locomotives, the Class 45 and Class 46. These would go on to form the bulk of the Midland mainline fleet for many years.
The 45s and 46s were not named after mountains as their Class 44 counterparts had been, though whilst many were honoured with the names of famed British Army Regiments, they still retained the nickname ‘Peaks’.
The first BR Class 45 entered service in late 1960, with the class soon becoming the main loco to work out of St Pancras on the Midland mainline services, demoting the dwindling number of steam locos to cover local services or freight.
The final variant of the ‘Peak’ began production in 1961, now with Brush Electrical Equipment fitted after re-tendering for the next batch of locomotives. This tweaked ‘Peak’ would be known as the BR Class 46.
Externally it looked almost identical, as it had the same engine and body, however its electrical equipment had received an upgraded generator and different traction motors. Developed by the Brush Company of Loughborough, these upgrades replaced the previously used Crompton-Parkinson electrical equipment of the Class 44 and 45.
