D6130
Established Member
For my 1,000th post, I am going to ask a question - or series of questions - on a subject which has puzzled me for many years....that of the different cab nose end designs of the "Peak" class (44, 45 and 46) diesel-electric locomotives. IIRC, from photographic evidence and three visits to Derby Works, there seemed to be originally four distinct variations....with a fifth (twin marker lights) added in the mid-1970s. As far as I can tell, the original allocation was as follows:
(A) D1-D10 (44 001-010): Disc headcodes with corridor connections.
(B) D11-D20 (randomly renumbered 45 001-077 and 45 101-150): split box roller blind headcodes with corridor connections.
(C) D21-D137 (randomly renumbered 45 001-077 and 45 101-150) either split box roller blind headcodes without corridor connections or central headcodes with a small dividing strip between second and third digits and rubber grommet surrounds.
(D) D138-D193 (46 001-056) One piece central headcode with no surrounding grommet.
IIRC, the highest numbered loco delivered with split headcode boxes was D109. As time went on, various locos were modified as they were overhauled or received collision damage repairs. 44 009 received a class 46-style one piece central headcode nose following collision damage and many - but not all - of the class 45s originally delivered with split boxes also received them at both ends. However, can anyone tell me why the D21-D109 batch were built seemingly randomly with either split box or central headcode nose ends and how the different designs were allocated?
(A) D1-D10 (44 001-010): Disc headcodes with corridor connections.
(B) D11-D20 (randomly renumbered 45 001-077 and 45 101-150): split box roller blind headcodes with corridor connections.
(C) D21-D137 (randomly renumbered 45 001-077 and 45 101-150) either split box roller blind headcodes without corridor connections or central headcodes with a small dividing strip between second and third digits and rubber grommet surrounds.
(D) D138-D193 (46 001-056) One piece central headcode with no surrounding grommet.
IIRC, the highest numbered loco delivered with split headcode boxes was D109. As time went on, various locos were modified as they were overhauled or received collision damage repairs. 44 009 received a class 46-style one piece central headcode nose following collision damage and many - but not all - of the class 45s originally delivered with split boxes also received them at both ends. However, can anyone tell me why the D21-D109 batch were built seemingly randomly with either split box or central headcode nose ends and how the different designs were allocated?