The English Electric Class 55: Deltic Diesel Electric Locomotives, Flagship of the East Coast Main Line

As steam traction came to an end the search was on for a worthy replacement. Locomotives which could haul heavy passenger trains at even faster speeds along a track designed for record breakers. The age of the diesel-electric locomotive was upon us. Many were tried and tested before one would come to the fore. The engine design of ‘the chosen one’ was revolutionary in itself. The long-established London engineering company of D. Napier and Son had built a reputation for power and precision, from motor cars to engines for the armed services and as time passed their designs evolved into high-speed compression-ignition forms generating exceptionally high power and thermal efficiency with very low fuel consumption. The Deltic engine was born and to house it the locomotive which would carry its name. A class of locomotive which would go on to set new standards when they emerged from English Electric’s Vulcan Foundry to grace the East Coast Main Line.