Rhodesia Railways class DE2

Rhodesia Railways DE2 class

Type and origin Power type Diesel-electric Builder English Electric Build date 1955–58 Total produced 35

Specifications UIC class 1Co-Co1 Gauge 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) Fuel type Diesel Prime mover English Electric 16SVT

Performance figures Power output 1,710 bhp (1,275 kW)

Career Operators Rhodesia Railways Class DE2 Numbers 1200–1234 First run 22 June 1955 Disposition Most scrapped, two preserved

Rhodesia Railways class DE2 are a type of diesel locomotive built for operations on Rhodesia Railways in the 1950s. The first DE2, number 1200, entered service on 22 June 1955. Two batches were built by English Electric: numbers 1200 to 1222 by the Dick, Kerr Works in Preston, and 1223–1234 by the Vulcan Foundry, Newton-le-Willows in 1958.

Power plant

The power plant (diesel engine) originally fitted was the EE 16SVT. This was rated 2,000 hp (1,491 kW) at sea level but the service rating (allowing for altitude and climatic conditions) was 1,710 hp (1,275 kW).^[1] Eight locomotives were later fitted with ex-BR Class 40 V16 engines.

Preservation

Class leader 1200 is now preserved in the Bulawayo Railway Museum,^[2] and 1207 at Sandstone Heritage Trust in South Africa.^[3]

References

1. http://www.sandstone-estates.com/interim/loco_of_the_month/January_2009/Loco_of_the_Month_Jan_2009.pdf
2. http://www.geoffs-trains.com/Museum/number1200.html
3. http://www.sandstone-estates.com/interim/loco_of_the_month/January_2009/Loco_of_the_Month_Jan_2009.pdf