Power type Gas Turbine mechanical Build date 1958–1961 UIC class 2'C | Serial number Vulcan Foundry: D228 Configuration 4-6-0 | |
Builder English Electric at Vulcan Foundry | ||
GT3, meaning Gas Turbine number 3 (following 18000 and 18100 as gas turbines 1 and 2), was a prototype mainline gas turbine locomotive built in 1961 by English Electric at their Vulcan Foundry in Newton-le-Willows to demonstrate its wares to British Railways. It was designed by Vulcan engineer J. O. P. Hughes in a project that started in the early 1950s. Externally it resembled a steam tender locomotive, although, in the case of GT3, the tender carried kerosene fuel.
Overview
It was of 4-6-0 wheel arrangement resembling a BR standard class 5 steam locomotive chassis and was fitted with an EM27L gas turbine of 2,700 hp (2,000 kW), but the chassis itself was a strengthened structure to cope with the torque of the turbine. It had a maximum speed of 90 mph (140 km/h), weighed 123.5 long tons (125.5 t; 138.3 short tons), and was painted in a red oxide livery.
BR tested it at its Rugby test centre and then on the former Great Central Main Line around Leicester and the West Coast Main Line around the Shap incline.
At the same time, Vulcan was fully engaged in manufacturing diesel-electric locomotives of many types (including the 3,300-horsepower (2,500 kW) Deltic). These were rapidly becoming the future of rail traction. Diesel-electrics do not need turntables, an advantage that the GT3 with its steam loco style layout could not offer.
BR decided to stay with diesel and electric traction, and GT3 was returned to Vulcan Foundry at the end of 1962, where it was gradually dismantled. It was finally scrapped at Thos W Ward, Salford in February 1966 having been towed there by a BR standard steam locomotive.