British Rail Class 53

British Rail Class 53 (Falcon)
D0280 Falcon
Type and origin Power type Diesel-electric Builder Brush Traction Serial number 280 Build date 1961
Specifications Configuration: ​  • UIC Co'Co' Gauge 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) Wheel diameter 3 ft 7 in (1.092 m) Wheelbase 56 ft 4 in (17.17 m) Length 68 ft 10 in (20.98 m) Width 8 ft 10 in (2.69 m) Height 12 ft 10 in (3.91 m) Loco weight 115 long tons (117 t) Fuel capacity 1,440 imp gal (6,500 L; 1,730 US gal) Prime mover Maybach MD655, 2 off Traction motors Brush, 6 off Cylinders 12 × 2 Train heating Spanner Mk III 2,500 pounds (1,100 kg) per hour steam generator Loco brake Brakeforce: 59 long tons-force (588 kN) Train brakes Vacuum, later: Air
Performance figures Top speed 100 mph (161 km/h) Power output 2,880 hp (2,150 kW) Tractive effort 60,000 lbf (266.9 kN)
Career Railroad(s) British Railways Number D0280, later 1200 Axle load class Route availability: 7 (6 from 1969) Disposition Sold to BR December 1970, withdrawn October 1975, Scrapped by Cashmore of Newport, April 1976

British Rail gave the name Class 53 to the single Brush Traction-built example train Falcon. Although it worked, the idea of Class 53 was made old by new locomotive technology (like the power from single low-speed diesel engines) and was never made twice.