Class 40

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English Electric built 200 of these 2000hp locomotives, with 1Co-Co1 wheel arrangement, from 1958 to 1962.

True mixed traffic engines, 40s were entrusted with everything from the Royal Train to ballast workings in their time. Principal duties included Edinburgh and Glasgow Queen Street to Aberdeen and Inverness passenger services. Freightliner trains on the east coast were also a regular duty.

40173 Eastfield MPD, circa 1978 Photo by Barney94


London Midland Region based locos replaced steam on the West Coast Main Line express trains to Glasgow Central until superseded by class 47s and class 50s in 1967.

The class were also used on the ECML, but without complete success and steam remained for the fastest trains until the arrival of the Deltics.

D253 and D254 were loaned from York (50A) to the Scottish Region, initally at Leith Central (64H) from January 1960. D253 returned to 50A in February, but D256-D259 came north on loan, and were based at 64B, Haymarket. These locos had returned to York by April 1960 when the Scottish Region's own locos had been delivered

Haymarket received two batches of Class 40s from new. Disc headcode D260-D266 (delivered early 1960) and centre headcode D357-D368 (late 1961).

The locos lost the D prefix after 1968 and were renumbered 40060-40066 and 40157-40168 during 1973/74.

Additional locomotives moved to Haymarket in the mid 1970s, and the class was introduced on to Highland mainline services to Inverness.


Detail Oddities

Three main styles of nose end were built: D200-D324 with folding Headcode discs, D325-344 with 'split' headcode boxes either side on a connecting door, and D345-399 with a 4-character 'centre' headcode box.

Curiously, D260-D266 were modified around 1965 with non-standard (square cornered) centre headcode boxes (Photo), presumably for use on cross-border workings, since the Scottish Region did not adopted 4-character headcodes for internal workings until 1973. This modification also removed the connecting doors which had been a source of draughts.

After 1976, headcodes were no longer displayed and within a few years most locos showed two large white dots (the 'domino') instead.

Other headcode oddities on the Haymarket fleet:
  • The headcode boxes on 40060, 40061 and 40065 had changed to rounded corners by the late '70s. <Flickr>.
  • D367 / 40167 got a square cornered box at the No 1 end. <Flickr>.
  • 40062 had the No.2 end headcode box glass replaced by a metal yellow plate in 1978. <Flickr>.
  • 40142 was the only split headcode example in the Haymarket fleet. <Flickr>.
  • 40158 had the No.2 end headcode box plated over in 1983 (as an LMR loco). <Flickr>.

Blue star multiple working jumpers were removed from the original Haymarket locos in the late 1960s, and also from later arrivals 40103 and 40148.


Haymarket Class 40s

First Number TOPS number Transferred in Details Headcode Transferred out Withdrawn Periods away from HA
40002 HM-HA 5/80 xi Disc HA-KD 10/81 05/84 KD
40041 KM-HA 5/75 vb Disc stored 2/76 07/76 HA
40048 GD-HA 2/76 vb Disc stored 10/77 10/77 HA
D260 40060 new 19/2/60 xb Centre HA-KD 5/81 01/85 KD
D261 40061 new 26/2/60 xb Centre HA-LO 10/81 06/83 LO
D262 40062 new 4/3/60 vb Centre $ HA-KD 11/80 11/81 KD
D263 40063 new 7/3/60 xb Centre HA-SP 10/81 04/84 LO
D264 40064 new 11/3/60 xb Centre HA-LO 9/81 04/82 LO
D265 40065 new 14/3/60 vb Centre HA-KD 2/81 11/81 KD
D266 40066 new 21/3/60 xb Centre withdrawn 04/81 HA
40072 YK-HA 3/75 vb Disc withdrawn 08/77 HA
40088 KD-HA 2/78 vb Disc HA-KD 3/78 02/82 HM
40089 KM-HA 5/74 vi Disc stored 2/76 07/76 HA
40094 KD-HA 2/78 vb Disc HA-KD 3/78 10/82 LO
40099 LO-HA 10/75 xb Disc HA-LO 5/78 10/84 LO
40101 KM-HA 5/74 vb Disc HA-KD 10/81 08/82 KD
40103 KM-HA 5/74 vb Disc HA-SP 2/81 02/82 LO
40123 LO-HA 10/75 vb Disc withdrawn 07/80 HA
40142 SP-HA 5/74 vb Split withdrawn 04/80 HA
40145 GD-HA 3/78 xb Centre HA-LO 5/78 06/83 LO
40148 HM-HA 3/78 vb Centre HA-LO 10/81 08/82 LO
40150 GD-HA 1/78 xb Centre HA-KD 5/81 01/85 KD
40151 GD-HA 1/78 xb Centre withdrawn 02/81 HA
D357 40157 new 30/8/61 xb Centre HA-SP 10/81 07/83 CD SP 11/72 - 5/73
D358 40158 new 6/9/61 xb Centre $ HA-KD 5/81 12/83 KD
D359 40159 new 13/9/61 xb Centre HA-LO 9/81 03/82 LO IM 11/72 - 5/73
D360 40160 new 20/9/61 xb Centre HA-SP 9/81 11/84 LO
D361 40161 new 3/10/61 vb Centre withdrawn 12/80 HA
D362 40162 new 11/10/61 xb Centre HA-KD 7/81 12/82 KD
D363 40163 new 18/10/61 xb Centre HA-LO 5/78 06/82 LO ED 6/68 - 5/70
D364 40164 new 25/10/61 xb Centre HA-SP 9/81 07/83 CD
D365 40165 new 1/11/61 xb Centre withdrawn 07/81 HA
D366 40166 new 18/11/61 xb Centre HA-LO 5/78 02/82 LO
D367 40167 new 22/11/61 xb Centre $ HA-KD 7/81 02/84 LO
D368 40168 new 1/12/61 xb Centre HA-LO 10/81 11/84 LO GD 3/68 - 4/68
40173 LO-HA 5/74 vb Centre withdrawn 08/81 HA
40180 SP-HA 5/74 xb Centre HA-SP 5/74 06/83 CD
40184 SP-HA 5/74 vb Centre HA-LO 1/81 12/82 LO
40194 TE-HA 5/80 xi Centre HA-SP 10/81 01/85 LO

Detail codes: v = vacuum brake only. x = air and vacuum brakes. b = steam heat fitted. i = steam heat isolated.

Depot codes: HA = Haymaket, ED = Eastfield, GD = Gateshead, IM = Immingham, HM = Healey Mills (Wakefield), YK = York, KD/KM = Carlisle Kingmoor, SP = Wigan Springs Branch, LO = Manchester Longsight, CD = Crewe Diesel.


  • In the early 1980s increasing numbers of Class 47s were allocated to Scottish depots, and the 40s were replaced. Haymarket lost its remaining locos to the London Midland Region in October 1981.
  • The 40s were being phased out, but continued to work into Scotland until the final withdrawal of the class in January 1985.

  • BR retained pioneer loco 40122 (painted green as D200 in 1983) until 1988, and this visited Scotland several times both on specials and timetabled trains.
  • It's last visit was on the 'The Son of Skirl' railtour in September 1987, running from Carlisle to Mossend with ETHEL 2 on the night of 19th, and returning south on the 20th from Polmadie to Manchester Victoria.

  • Most of the locos withdrawn from service at Haymarket were soon moved to BREL Works at Doncaster, Swindon or Crewe for disposal. Three of the class were broken up in Scotland.
  • 40072 was dumped at Millerhill from October '77 to May '78, before being taken to Glasgow Works, and was cut up there in June 1978.
  • 40173, withdrawn in August 1981, was stored at Eastfield Depot. It was moved initially to Dunfermline Townhill on 27/7/83, then later in the year to Perth Yard. By 1984 it had lost its bogies (for use with beilhack snowploughs). The body was taken to Forth Ports Authority Inverkeithing (the former T.W. Ward shipbreakers yard) on 2/5/85 and cut up shortly after.
  • 40162, withdrawn in December 1982 (as a KM allocated loco) remained at Haymarket until 26 June 1985 when it was moved to Millerhill together with 26019. It was eventually cut up there in April 1986.


D207 Glasgow Central (late 60s)
40059 at Kyle (1970s)
40145 at Thurso (2007)
40145 at Larbert (2009)


  • Seven Class 40s were saved for preservation.
  • Loco 40145 returned to mainline operation in 2002, and subsequently visited to Scotland several times on railtours.
  • Some of the tours using 40145 have gone to places rarely visited in BR days such as Kyle of Lochalsh and Wick, and the tour to Fort William in August 2007 is thought to be a first for the class.
  • From August 2007 until May 2013, 40145 appeared in BR Large Logo livery, named East Lancashire Railway.
  • By the time of its next visit to Scotland in 2021 it was BR Green as unnamed D345, and had been been joined on the mainline with 40013 running as D213 'Andania'
Movements of Class 40 locos in Scotland since 2002

Date             Loco   Train Details   Route Remarks Photos
29 Nov 2003 40145  The North Countryman SBJ link Crewe - ECML - Edinburgh - WCML - Crewe Flickr, Flickr
 
26 Aug 2005 40145 The Whistling Scotsman SBJ link Bradford - Aberdeen
27 Aug 2005 Aberdeen - Kyle of Lochalsh - Inverness
28 Aug 2005 Inverness - York Photo
 
22 Sep 2006 (40145) (loco move) Bury (ELR) - Bo'ness Hauled by 55022. With 26024.
30 Sep 2006 40145 Bo'ness Diesel Gala Bo'ness and Birkhill
01 Oct 2006 Bo'ness Diesel Gala Bo'ness and Birkhill
06 Oct 2006 40145 The Autumn Highlander SBJ link Edinburgh - Kirkcaldy - Inverness Top and Tail with 47245
07 Oct 2006 Inverness - Kyle (And return) Top and tail with 47245
08 Oct 2006 Inverness - Thurso (And return) Top and tail with 47245 Flickr
09 Oct 2006 Inverness - Perth Top and tail with 47245
Perth - London Kings Cross With 55022, and 47245 on rear.
07 Dec 2006 40145 (ECS) Bury - Carnforth - Bo'ness With 33029.
08 Dec 2006 40145 The Link Undo (SRPS) SBJ link Linlithgow - Lincoln (and return) With 33029
19 Dec 2006 40145 (ECS) Bo'ness - Carnforth With 33029.
 
09 Jun 2007 40145 The Galloway Special (SRPS/NER) SBJ link Darlington - Carlisle - Stranraer (and return) Top and tail with 47501 Flickr
10 Jun 2007 (ECS) Heaton - Bo'ness 47501 leading. 40145 on rear.
22 Jun 2007 40145 The Far North Excursion (SRPS) SBJ link Linlithgow - Wick Top and tail with 57601
23 Jun 2007 Wick - Linlithgow Top and tail with 57601 Flickr
22 Aug 2007 40145 (loco move) Carnforth - Bo'ness With 57601
24 Aug 2007 (ECS) Bo'ness - Carlisle Top and tail with 57601
25 Aug 2007 The West Highlander (SRPS) SBJ link Carlisle - Fort William (and return) Top and tail with 57601 Flickr
21 Sep 2007 (40145) (loco move) Carnforth - Bo'ness Hauled by 55022, with D5310, D8020, 37175
22 Sep 2007 40145 Inverness & Speyside (SRPS) Timings Linlithgow - Inverness - Aberdeen - Linlithgow With 47787 on rear. Photo
29 Sep 2007 40145 Bo'ness Diesel Gala Bo'ness and Birkhill
30 Sep 2007 Bo'ness Diesel Gala Bo'ness and Birkhill
05 Oct 2007 40145 (loco move) Bo'ness - Perth
  The Autumn Highlander SBJ link Perth - Inverness With 50049 on rear.
06 Oct 2007 Inverness - Strathcarron (and return) Top and tail with 50049 Flickr
07 Oct 2007 Inverness - Wick - Thurso (and return) Top and tail with 50049
08 Oct 2007 (40145) Inverness - Perth 50049 leading. 40145 on rear.
(40145) Perth - London Kings Cross 50049 and 55022 leading. 40145 on rear
 
15 Aug 2008 (40145) (loco move) Carnforth - Bo'ness 55022 hauling 40145, 26010, 37712.
24 Aug 2008 40145 Routes and Branches SBJ link Tour of Strathclyde lines (from/to Bo'ness) Top and Tail with 55022 Photo
27 Aug 2008 (loco move) Bo'ness - Carnforth with 55022
 
03 Jan 2009 40145 The East Lancs Ambassador SBJ link (Bury) Heywood - Edinburgh (and return) Flickr
23 May 2009 40145 The Settle Scotsman SBJ link Shrewsbury - Edinburgh (and return) Photo
05 Sep 2009 40145 SRPS tour Timings out & return Carlisle - Kilmarnock - Inverness (and return) with 57601 on rear Photo
 
01 Apr 2010 (40145) (loco move in freight) Warrington - Mossend Hauled by 92031, also with 47812 and 47815.
02 Apr 2010 40145 The West Highlander Timings Braidhurst Loop - Inverness Portion off Salisbury - Fort William train
04 Apr 2010 The West Highlander Timings Inverness - Kyle (and return) Flickr
05 Apr 2010 The West Highlander Timings Inverness - Braidhurst Loop
(loco move in freight) Mossend - Warrington Hauled by 920xx
20 Jun 2010 40145 The Father's Day Scotsman Timings York - Preston - Edinburgh (and return via ECML) Photo
 
23 Jul 2015 (40106) (loco move) Timings Washwood Heath - Bo'ness 31601 hauling 50007, 40106 & 50017. Flickr
25 Jul 2015 40106 Bo'ness Diesel Gala Bo'ness and Manuel Junction Photo
26 Jul 2015 40106 Bo'ness Diesel Gala Bo'ness and Manuel Junction
 
19 May 2016 (40106) (loco move) Timings Bo'ness - Dalmeny - Carnforth (then to ELR) 37706 hauling 40106. Flickr
22 Jul 2016 (40106 & 40135) (loco move) Timings Castleton ELR - Bo'ness 47237 hauling 40106, 40135, 33109 Flickr
23 Jul 2016 40106 & 40135 Bo'ness Diesel Gala Bo'ness and Manuel Junction Photo, YouTube
24 Jul 2016 40106 & 40135 Bo'ness Diesel Gala Bo'ness and Manuel Junction
29 Jul 2016 (40106 & 40135) (loco move) Timings Bo'ness - Dalmeny - Castleton ELR 47237 hauling 40106, 40135, 33109 Flickr
 
13 Nov 2021 D345+D213 The Double Scotch Timings Crewe - WCML - Edinburgh (and return) with 47828 or rear. Photo
 
29 Sep 2023 D213 The Chairmans Train Timings Alnmouth - Mossend with 37 D6817 on rear. Photo
D213 (loco move) Timings Mossend - Carlisle - =
24 Nov 2023 D213 (loco move) Timings Crewe HS - Joppa Straight hauling 20132 =
25 Nov 2023 D213 Forth Bridge Lunchtime Tour Timings Edinburgh - Kirkcaldy - Dunfermline - Stirling - Edinburgh with 47 D1924 on rear. Photo, Flickr
26 Nov 2023 D213 Edinburgh Christmas Market (Day.4) Timings Edinburgh - York with 47 D1924 on rear. Flickr
21 Dec 2023 D213 Edinburgh Christmas Statesman Timings Leicester - ECML - Edinburgh On rear, with 47593 leading =
D213 Edinburgh Christmas Statesman Timings Edinburgh - ECML Leicester with 47593 on rear. Flickr


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