{"product_id":"diesel-hydraulic-locomotives-of-the-western-region-9780715367698","title":"Diesel-Hydraulic Locomotives Of The Western Region","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe 309 diesel-hydraulic line-service locomotives of the Western Region caused more comment, commotion and opprobrium than any other motive power built under the British Rail-ways Modernisation plan initiated in 1955. They were so completely different in conception and construction from the 2,500 BR diesel-electrics; apart from the provision of a trans-mission new to Britain they introduced the then modern quick-running light-weight diesel engine. Opposition to them on non-technical and non-reasoned grounds was strong at BR headquarters and in sections of British industry. But in their time the War-ship and Western classes became `Great Western' hallmarks as much as the steam Castles and Kings they replaced, and they made possible the 70-75 mph framework of Western Region main line timetables. Un-fortunately they formed only 11 per cent of the total BR diesel fleet, and they were thus made victims of the 1967 so-called National Traction Plan which envisaged early withdrawal and replacement by more standard diesel-electric types. While a few survived until 1977, with a handful preserved, the majority had been taken out of service by 1973, when aggregate diesel-hydraulic mileage was approaching 200 million. Locomotives of the D800 Maybach-engined Warship class had almost throughout their lives shown average annual mileages greater than any BR-type diesel-electrics. Indeed, on the WR, diesel-hydraulic traction proved its capabilities, but only in conjunction with heavy expenditure on maintenance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHardback with dust jacket, 112 pages, black \u0026amp; white photographs\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCondition: Very Good\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"David \u0026 Charles","offers":[{"title":"Secondhand (308)","offer_id":33248456147053,"sku":"9780715367698","price":20.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1910\/7111\/products\/9780715367698.jpg?v=1610485237","url":"https:\/\/rail-books.co.uk\/products\/diesel-hydraulic-locomotives-of-the-western-region-9780715367698","provider":"Rail Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}