Southern Way Special Issue 21

The Southern Railway is closely associated with its electrification programmes, but in July 1947 the board authorised the construction of three mainline diesel-electric locos. These entered service between 1950 and 1954. Their work on the Southern Region was mostly on the mainlines to Exeter or Bournemouth. Both Nos 10202 and 10203 spent a week working the ‘Golden Arrow’ and ‘Night Ferry’ services at different times. In the summer of 1955, all three were transferred to the London Midland Region and remained there until they were withdrawn in December 1962. They worked predominantly on West Coast Main Line on passenger duties that ranged from local services between Euston and Bletchley to the prestigious ‘Royal Scot’. This book covers the background story to their authorisation, design and construction and entry into service. It details the whole of their service life firstly on the Southern and then on the London Midland and looks at their utilisation, works visits, annual mileage and fuel consumption.