GEC Stephenson locomotive

GEC Stephenson

GEC Stephenson locomotives and torpedo wagon at Corus Lackenby (Redcar), 2010

| Type and origin

Power type| Diesel
Builder| GEC Traction / Vulcan Foundry
Build date| 1976-1980[1]
Total produced| ~30
| Specifications

Gauge| 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in)
Loco weight| 36 to 100 t[2]
BSC : 75 ton
NCB : 75 or 50 ton[3]
Transmission| Diesel-electric[2]
| Performance figures

Power output| engine: 425 to 1,500 horsepower (317 to 1,119 kW)[2]
BSC : 750 hp[note 1]
NCB : 500 hp[3]

The GEC Stephenson locomotives are a type of heavy industrial shunter built in the 1970s by British industrial company GEC Traction. The locomotives were used for heavy shunting tasks in UK industrial sites for clients including British Steel Corporation and the National Coal Board.[2]

## History and design

[edit]

The locomotives were available in 3- or 4-axle versions in the same frame, with a range of masses and engine powers, each axle was powered and the locomotives could be operated in multiple from a single cab.[2]

Most of the locomotives produced were 3 axle versions of two types - a 50-ton loco (16.5 ton axleload) with a 500 hp V8 cylinder Dorman 8QT engine, and a 75-ton (25 ton axleload) machine with a 12-cylinder engine rated at 750 hp. The NCB acquired both locomotive types.[3]

British Steel acquired the heavier 75 ton model; twenty five 750 hp[note 1] locomotives were acquired by BSC Redcar primarily for hauling torpedo wagons.[4]

An ex-Barrington Cement Works ex-ICI locomotive named Ludwig Mond was acquired in 2010 by the Rutland Railway Museum.[3][5]

As of 2012 locomotives of this type are still in service with Tata Steel Europe in the UK. In January 2012 the steel works in Lackenby imported ten 1500 kW ex-NSB Di8 Bo'Bo' locomotives for the torpedo wagon trains - this will result in several of the GEC locomotives being scrapped though some are expected to be retained for track renewal and shunting work.[6]

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ a b The British Steel vehicles are described as having either 650 hp,[4] or 750 hp rated engines.[3]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Sources:
* Mick Morgan (ed.), Search Form: 1. Wheel Arrangement = "6wDE", 2.Builder = "GECT", existing locos, UKlocos, retrieved 15 January 2012
* Mick Morgan (ed.), Search Form: 1. Wheel Arrangement = "6wDE", 2.Builder = "GECT", scrapped locos, UKlocos, retrieved 15 January 2012
2. ^ a b c d e "The right tool for the job", Steel Times, GEC Traction (advert), September 1976
3. ^ a b c d e "Gec 5578 - Ludwig Mond".[permanent dead link]
4. ^ a b "The rolling stock that gathered steel", Middlesbrough Evening Gazette, 18 September 2010
5. ^ group=
6. ^ "Cargonet locos settle into new environment in Redcar" (PDF), Railway Herald (297): 6, 9 January 2012

## External links

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to GEC Stephenson locomotives.

Images

* John Morgan (28 September 1996), "252 stands outside the loco shed along with 266 (GECT.5463) and 251 (GECT.5414)", www.railphotoarchive.org, BSC LACKENBY, Redcar steel, blue livery
* John Morgan (28 September 1996), "263 in the scrap line outside the loco shed along with 275 (GECT.5473), 274 (GECT.5472).", www.railphotoarchive.org, BSC LACKENBY, Redcar steel, yellow livery
* "BI92044 NCB Coventry", www.flickr.com, 17 February 1992, NCB blue livery

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General Electric Company

Former subsidiaries
and divisions|

* GEC Computers
* GEC Research
* GEC Traction
* Hirst Research Centre
* Marconi Company
* Marconi Electronic Systems
* Marconi Instruments
* Marconi-Osram Valve
* Marconi Research Centre
* Osram
* Salford Electrical Instruments
* Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering

Former joint ventures|

* Alenia Marconi Systems
* GEC Alsthom
* GEC Plessey Telecommunications
* Matra Marconi Space
* Thomson Marconi Sonar

Predecessors
and acquisitions|

* A.B. Dick Company
* Associated Electrical Industries
* Birlec
* British Thomson-Houston (BTH)
* Edison Swan
* Hotpoint
* Metropolitan-Vickers
* Siemens Brothers & Co
* William Thomas Henley
* English Electric
* Dick, Kerr & Co.
* Elliott Brothers
* Marconi Company
* Robert Stephenson and Hawthorns
* Ruston & Hornsby
* Vulcan Foundry
* Willans & Robinson
* Gilbarco Veeder-Root
* Radio & Allied Industries
* Tracor
* W & T Avery
* Yarrow Shipbuilders

Successors|

* BAE Systems
* Marconi Communications
* Telent
* Unify

Products|

| Computers|

* GEC 2050
* GEC 4000 series
* GEC Series 63
* OS4000

|

Locomotives|

* British Rail Class 91
* GEC Stephenson locomotive
* South African Class 4E
* South African Class 9E, Series 1
* South African Class 9E, Series 2
* South African Class 10E1, Series 1
* South African Class 10E1, Series 2

People|

* Cyril Hilsum
* Hugo Hirst
* George Simpson
* Martin Sixsmith
* Michael Sobell
* Arnold Weinstock

Other|

* GEC-Marconi scientist deaths conspiracy theory
* Phoebus cartel

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