British Rail Class 52

British Rail Class 52
A Class 52 at Old Oak Common TMD in 1976.
Type and origin Power type Diesel-hydraulic Builder Swindon Works (30) Crewe Works (44) Build date 1961–1964 Total produced 74
Specifications Configuration: ​  • UIC C′C′  • Commonwealth C-C Gauge 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge Wheel diameter 3 ft 7 in (1.092 m) Minimum curve 4.5 chains (300 ft; 91 m) Wheelbase 54 ft 8 in (16.66 m) Length 68 ft 0 in (20.73 m) Width 8 ft 8 in (2.64 m) Height 12 ft 11+3⁄4 in (3.96 m) Loco weight 108 long tons (110 t; 121 short tons) Fuel capacity 850 imp gal (3,900 L; 1,020 US gal) Prime mover 2 × Maybach MD655 (64.5 L or 3,940 cu in) Transmission Hydraulic MU working Not fitted Train heating Steam Train brakes Vacuum; later Dual (Air and Vacuum)
Performance figures Maximum speed 90 mph (140 km/h) Power output Engines: 1,350 bhp (1,007 kW) at 1,500 rpm × 2 At rail: 2,000 hp (1,491 kW) Tractive effort Maximum: 66,700 lbf (297 kN) Continuous: 45,200 lbf (201 kN)@ 14.5 mph (23.3 km/h)[1] Brakeforce 50 long tons-force (498 kN)
Career Operators Western Region of British Railways Numbers D1000–D1073 Nicknames Westerns, Wizzos, Thousands. Axle load class Route availability 7 Withdrawn 1973–1977 Disposition 7 preserved, remainder scrapped

The British Rail Class 52 is a class of 74 Type 4 diesel-hydraulic locomotives built for the Western Region of British Railways between 1961 and 1964. All were given two-word names, the first word being "Western" and thus the type became known as Westerns. They were also known as Wizzos and Thousands.^[1] The final Class 52 locomotives were withdrawn from service in 1977.