British Rail 10800

British Railways 10800
10800 at North British Locomotive Company, Glasgow
Type and origin Power type Diesel-electric Builder North British Locomotive Company Serial number 26413 Build date 1 July 1950
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte Bo-Bo  • AAR B-B  • UIC Bo′Bo′ Gauge 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge Wheel diameter 3 ft 6 in (1.067 m) Minimum curve 3.75 chains (247.50 ft; 75.44 m) Wheelbase 31 ft 0 in (9.45 m) Length 41 ft 10+1⁄2 in (12.76 m) Width 9 ft 2 in (2.79 m) Height 12 ft 9+1⁄2 in (3.90 m) Loco weight 69.80 long tons (70.92 t; 78.18 short tons) Fuel capacity 300 imp gal (1,400 L; 360 US gal) Coolant cap. 85 imp gal (390 L; 102 US gal) Water cap. 90 imp gal (410 L; 110 US gal) Prime mover Paxman 16RPHXL Series 2 rebuilt: Maybach MD655 Generator DC Traction motors BTH 159, DC, four (4) off Cylinder size 7 in × 7+3⁄4 in (177.80 mm × 196.85 mm) rebuilt: 7+1⁄4 in × 8+3⁄4 in (184.15 mm × 222.25 mm) Transmission Diesel electric MU working Not fitted Train heating Clarkson steam generator Loco brake Brakeforce: 45 long tons-force (450 kN) Train brakes Vacuum
Performance figures Maximum speed 70 mph (110 km/h) Power output 827 hp (617 kW) rebuilt: 1,400 hp (1,000 kW) Tractive effort 34,500 lbf (153.5 kN)
Career Operators British Railways Power class 3MT; later: Type 1 Numbers 10800 Axle load class Route availability: 4 Retired 8 August 1959 Disposition Sold to Brush Traction, rebuilt into research locomotive Hawk, retired 1968, cannibalised 1972–1976, scrapped 1976.

British Railways 10800 was a diesel locomotive built by the North British Locomotive Company for British Railways in 1950. It had been ordered by the London, Midland and Scottish Railway in 1946 but did not appear until after the 1948 nationalisation of the railways.

The locomotive was designed by George Ivatt as a possible replacement for steam locomotives on secondary and branch lines. It was the first British road switcher locomotive.^[1] The single-cab layout (long bonnet forward) gave the driver a poor view of the road ahead. However, the driver's view was no worse than that from a steam locomotive cab, so it would have been acceptable at the time.^[2]

During its brief time on the Southern Region between 1952 and 1954, 10800 gained the nickname 'The Wonder Engine', from the locomotive department's daily query, 'I wonder if it will go today'.^[3]