HS4000 Kestrel

HS4000, named Kestrel, was a prototype high-powered mainline diesel locomotive built in 1967 by Brush Traction, Loughborough as a technology demonstrator for potential future British Rail and export orders. The locomotive number is a combination of the initials of Hawker Siddeley (the owners of Brush Traction) and the power rating of its Sulzer diesel engine (4000 HP).[7]
It was of Co-Co wheel arrangement and was fitted with a Sulzer 16LVA24 engine rated at 4,000 horsepower (3,000 kW) providing a maximum speed of 110 mph (180 km/h) and weighed 133 tonnes. It was painted in a livery of yellow ochre with a broad chocolate-brown band around the lower bodyside separated by a thin white line running around the body.
Construction of the locomotive (Brush works No. 711 of 1967) started in 1966 and was complete by 1967. However the locomotive was considerably over the 20t axle-load limit specified by British Rail for its procurement requirements. The locomotive was officially handed over to BR on 29 January 1968 at Marylebone Station. Test runs were performed with both passenger and freight stock; the locomotive was primarily used to haul heavy freight trains - including a coal train of over 2000t weight - the locomotive achieved an 88% availability figure after 14,000 miles (23,000 km).
Following the fitting of its new bogies the locomotive was used on express passenger trains. On a London King's Cross to Newcastle service diagrammed for British Rail Class 55 ('Deltic') operation the unit was 14mins faster than required even though the new traction motors meant reduced power at the rail.[9]
In March 1971 it was withdrawn from service in the UK and sent back to Brush for refitting.


HS 4000 Kestrel Derby open day 1969



https://railway-photography.smugmug.com/1/Pre-TOPS-Locomotives/Prototype-Diesel-Locos/Kestral/i-RHcpBnL

Kestral - Railway-Photography
railway-photography.smugmug.com
railway photographs from the last 100 years

Kestrel at Thirsk

https://railway-photography.smugmug.com/1/Pre-TOPS-Locomotives/Prototype-Diesel-Locos/Kestral/i-Vc8B9kk

Kestral - Railway-Photography
railway-photography.smugmug.com
railway photographs from the last 100 years

Neil

 

Neil. The Derby Works open day was the 1968 one not 1969. 31st August to be exact. The "Mickey" on the right was 44888.

 

Sold to the USSR and some people are still, foolishly imho, looking for it. One or two shots of it in Russia have surfaced.

 

I always thought it looked a mean power full beast, which is exactly what it was, it did look the part.

 

Many thanks for the pictures and information of this unique locomotive.

This must be a interesting new build diesel project this one!

Knut

 

Thanks, I was going by info on the back of the photo

Neil

 

I'm sure someone has started a face book page to do just that

 

Here is another photo of the locomotive, probably from a test in Russia: http://scaletrainsclub.com/board/download/file.php?id=66423&mode=view

An a colour photo, I like the livery of this locomotive!http://scaletrainsclub.com/board/download/file.php?id=53739&mode=view

kind regards

Knut

 

If you are interested in Kestral and diesels generally it may be worth seeking out the wnxx forum which is more concerned with diesels - You will find quite a few of the same people as on here over there but also a lot who are only interested in diesels. There is a whole thread on Kestral over there which is interesting to read.

 

Those are pretty substantial bogies under that loco, they must weight a ton or two.

 

Indeed & therein lies the defining problem with this loco, it failed to meet BR's axel loading, even when reshod on class 47 bogies.

Fine looking engine & livery mind you!!

 

Isn't Russia 5'0" gauge?

 

That`s correct.

The shape of this Kestral diesel reminds me of the German electric locomotive class 103.

 

Railway Magazine ran a two part article on the Kestral story last July/August (I think). Very well written and informative.

 

I thought an article in Railway Magazine pretty much put it to bed that it has long been scrapped?

Edit - post crossed with @60017

 

Yes but it doesn't stop the dreamers continuing to look for it.

A quick Google throws up a number of pics in its last resting place

 

I sure I read somewhere that the original power unit was returned to England not sure to who though.

 

Neil[/QUOTE]The locomotive number is a combination of the initials of Hawker Siddeley (the owners of Brush Traction) and the power rating of its Sulzer diesel engine (4000 HP)[/QUOTE]
OK. I understand that, but what was the reasoning behind "Falcon"'s number D0280 please?

 

The locomotive number is a combination of the initials of Hawker Siddeley (the owners of Brush Traction) and the power rating of its Sulzer diesel engine (4000 HP)[/QUOTE]
OK. I understand that, but what was the reasoning behind "Falcon"'s number D0280 please?[/QUOTE]
Works no 280.

 

Simple - a diesel loco existed with the number D280 (EE type 4), so as a prototype it got its works number preceded with a '0' to make a running number. I also believe the same happened with D0226/7, D0260 &c.