# 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.

## Technical details
### Engine

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. Six-cylinder versions of the engine were fitted in the Class 25 locos (amongst others) and eight-cylinder versions in Class 33s. 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

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.

### Locomotive auxiliary supply

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

## History

Distribution of locomotives, March 1974 :
| CWHOTO |||
| Code | Name | Quantity |
| CW | Cricklewood | 11 |
| HO | Holbeck | 39 |
| TO | Toton | 77 |
| Total: | 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. 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

* 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.
* On 26 August 1976 locomotive No; 45 149, while hauling a coal train, derailed near Winchcombe due to 'unusual' activity on the line.
* On 16 January 1982, locomotive No. 45 074 was hauling a freight train that was derailed at Chinley, Derbyshire.
* 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.
* 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. The locomotive was consequently withdrawn from service and scrapped.
* On 24 April 1988, locomotive No. 45 041 split a set of points and was derailed at Edale, Derbyshire.

## Withdrawal

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.

## Fleet details
### Naming

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

### Fleet list

| Number(s) | Number(s) | Name | Withdrawn | Disposal details |
| 1957 series | TOPS | Name | Withdrawn | Disposal details |
| 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 | 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 | 12/1980 | Scrapped at Swindon Works (04/1983) |
| D50 | 45040 | The King's Shropshire Light Infantry | 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 | 22 July 1986 | Scrapped at Vic Berry Leicester (11/1988) |
| D53 | 45041 | Royal Tank Regiment | 8 June 1988 | Preserved at Midland Railway – Butterley Owning group Peak Locomotive Company |
| D54 | 45023 | The Royal Pioneer Corps | 09/1984 | Scrapped at Vic Berry Leicester (10/1986) |
| D55 | 45144 | Royal Signals | 21 December 1987 | Scrapped at Vic Berry Leicester (06/1988) |
| D56 | 45137 | Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment (T.A.) | 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 | 09/1984 | Scrapped at Vic Berry Leicester (01/1987) |
| D59 | 45104 | The Royal Warwickshire Fusilier | 13 April 1988 | Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (02/1992) |
| D60 | 45022 | Lytham St. Annes | 07/1987 reinstated September 1987 as 97409 withdrawn July 1988 | Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (10/1991) |
| D61 | 45112 | The Royal Army Ordnance Corps | 14:43 on 7 May 1987 | Main Line Operational |
| D62 | 45143 | 5th Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards | 14:43 on 7 May 1987 | Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (03/1994) |
| D63 | 45044 | Royal Inniskilling Fusilier | 06/1987 | Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (11/1988) |
| D64 | 45045 | Coldstream Guardsman | 05/1983 due to collision at Saltley 10 February 1983 | Scrapped at Vic Berry Leicester (10/1986) |
| D65 | 45111 | Grenadier Guardsman | 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 | 8 May 1987 | Preserved; stored at Loram Derby |
| D68 | 45046 | Royal Fusilier | 08/1988 | Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (05/1992) |
| D69 | 45047 | | 08/1980 | Scrapped at Derby Works (02/1981) |
| D70 | 45048 | The Royal Marines | 06/1985 | Scrapped at MC Metals Glasgow (11/1988) |
| D71 | 45049 | The Staffordshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own) | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 03/1986 | Scrapped at Vic Berry Leicester (11/1988) |
| D99 | 45135 | 3rd Carabinier | 9 March 1987 | Preserved at East Lancashire Railway |
| D100 | 45060 | Sherwood Forester | 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. | 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 | 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 | 03/1986 collision with 31 436 Chinley 9 March 1986 | Scrapped at Ashburys by Vic Berry (08/1986) |

## Preservation

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, were built at Derby Works. A summary of these follows:
* 45041 – In operational condition at the Nene Valley Railway
* 45060 – Undergoing engine overhaul at Barrow Hill Engine Shed
* 45105 – Undergoing restoration at Barrow Hill Engine Shed
* 45108 – In operational condition on loan at the East Lancashire Railway
* 45112 – Stored at Nemesis Rail, Burton upon Trent
* 45118 – Under overhaul at Crewe Diesel TMD
* 45125 – In operational condition at the Great Central Railway
* 45132 – Under overhaul at the Epping Ongar Railway
* 45133 – Under overhaul at the Midland Railway – Butterley
* 45135 – Under heavy repair at the East Lancashire Railway
* 45149 – In operational condition at the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway
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, 45015 was heavily cannibalised for spares to keep other Class 45s working. It remained at Toton, its home shed, until at least 1999. 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. 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.

## Model railways

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.