The British internal combustion locomotive 1894-1940
Brian Webb

The first detailed survey of a largely unprobed field of British railway work, this book covers the first half century of British development of the internal combustion locomotive, from 1894 to 1940.

Starting with an account of the evolution of the compression-ignition engine, it recalls the pioneer work of British engineers and manufacturers in developing mechanical, hydraulic and later, electrical transmissions, for the successful application of this type of engine to rail traction.

A remarkably wide range of British locomotives is covered, from the world’s first oil-engined shunter in 1894 to such giants as the 1200hp 117-ton Armstrong Whitworth main liners built for the North Western Railway of India in 1935. And in between come a fascinating variety of locomotives of all types and gauges – contractor’s engines, armoured locos for the War Department, rail tractors, mobile powerhouses and branch-line locomotives. Unusual experimental locomotives are described, some using steam transmissions, together with applications of the light-weight high-speed compression engine with solid injection – yet another pioneer British development still popularly if erroneously termed a ‘diesel’ engine.