In January 1960, the British Transport Commission announced that it required a new, large Type 4 dieselelectric locomotive, fitted with an engine that would be capable of 2,700bhp. By May 1961, English Electric (EE) was working on a design to meet this requirement, although the company was at the same time concentrating heavily on producing the ‘Deltics’. However, in that month, the company unveiled its 16-cylinder 16CSVT engine, which could provide the required 2,700bhp at 167hp per cylinder.
In order to test the engine, EE decided that the quickest and cheapest solution would be to fit the new engine in a Class 55 bodyshell. DP2 first appeared on the BR network in May 1962. On May 2nd, 1962, it made a proving run from its birthplace at Vulcan Foundry, Newton-le-Willows,…
