GEC Stephenson locomotive

The GEC Stephenson locomotives are a type of heavy industrial shunter built in the 1970s by British industrial company GEC Traction. The locomotives were used for heavy shunting tasks in UK industrial sites for clients including British Steel Corporation and the National Coal Board.[2]

GEC Stephenson
GEC Stephenson locomotives and torpedo wagon at Corus Lackenby (Redcar), 2010
Type and origin
Power typeDiesel
BuilderGEC Traction / Vulcan Foundry
Build date1976-1980[1]
Total produced~30
Specifications
Gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in)
Loco weight36 to 100 t[2]
BSC : 75 ton
NCB : 75 or 50 ton[3]
TransmissionDiesel-electric[2]
Performance figures
Power outputengine: 425 to 1,500 horsepower (317 to 1,119 kW)[2]
BSC : 750 hp[note 1]
NCB : 500 hp[3]

History and design

The locomotives were available in 3- or 4-axle versions in the same frame, with a range of masses and engine powers, each axle was powered and the locomotives could be operated in multiple from a single cab.[2]

Most of the locomotives produced were 3 axle versions of two types - a 50-ton loco (16.5 ton axleload) with a 500 hp V8 cylinder Dorman 8QT engine, and a 75-ton (25 ton axleload) machine with a 12-cylinder engine rated at 750 hp. The NCB acquired both locomotive types.[3]

British Steel acquired the heavier 75 ton model; twenty five 750 hp[note 1] locomotives were acquired by BSC Redcar primarily for hauling torpedo wagons.[4]

An ex-Barrington Cement Works ex-ICI locomotive named Ludwig Mond was acquired in 2010 by the Rutland Railway Museum.[3][5]

As of 2012 locomotives of this type are still in service with Tata Steel Europe in the UK. In January 2012 the steel works in Lackenby imported ten 1500 kW ex-NSB Di8 Bo'Bo' locomotives for the torpedo wagon trains - this will result in several of the GEC locomotives being scrapped though some are expected to be retained for track renewal and shunting work.[6]

Notes
  1. The British Steel vehicles are described as having either 650 hp,[4] or 750 hp rated engines.[3]

References
  1. Sources:
  2. "The right tool for the job", Steel Times, GEC Traction (advert), September 1976
  3. "Gec 5578 - Ludwig Mond".
  4. "The rolling stock that gathered steel", Middlesbrough Evening Gazette, 18 September 2010
  5. group=
  6. "Cargonet locos settle into new environment in Redcar" (PDF), Railway Herald (297): 6, 9 January 2012
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