Friends’ farewell to UK main line diesel pioneer engineer
MEMBERS of the Ivatt Diesel Recreation Society have been mourning the death of their president Stan Fletcher at the age of 102.
The society is building a replica of LMS No.10000, Britain’s first main line diesel locomotive.
Stan was a commissioning engineer on No. 10000 and sister locomotive 10001 and worked in this capacity for English Electric. He was focused on innovation and new ideas, later working for GEC in posts around the world.
The society’s Centenary Works at Wirksworth was named in honour of Stan’s 100th birthday.
A society statement said:
“No. 10000 and our project meant a lot to Stan, and the trustees and members offer our heartfelt condolences to Jo, Sally and all the family for their loss. While the trustees feel this loss deeply, we are resolved to follow his path from the 1940s and ensure his legacy lives on.
Knowledge
“He was actively involved in the society and we appreciate the input he gave us, including knowledge of the strengths and weaknesses of the original locomotives (classified as 16.1 under BR).”
Elsewhere, the society has been given a boost by the donation by GB Railfreight Ltd and Progress Rail of a Class 56 power unit and alternator for use in the project
The Ruston 6 RK RC3 from the Class 56 was the final development of the 16SVT Mk1 found in Nos. 10000, 10001, 10201 and 10202: There is commonality between the first and last variant of the design.
GB Railfreight engineering strategy director Bob Tiller said: “I am pleased GBRf has been able to donate the power unit and ex-class 56 No. 56104 parts to the IDRS and assist in the building of what were some of the first development diesel locomotives in the UK.
“GBRF believes history and the development of railway traction on BR is an important part of our heritage and we very much wish for success with this exciting project.”
Saving time and money
Society secretary Andrew Hoseason said:“We are very grateful to GBRF and ProgressRail for donating this alternator and power unit together with many other parts and spares from No. 56104. This equipment will save much time and many thousands of pounds against the final completion cost of our loco.”
The society already owns an English Electric 16SVT power unit, which is intended to be the first-choice unit in the new locomotive. This additional low hours power unit is a backup, as will a 16SVT promised to the project, which is still situated on a military base.
The Class 56 power unit will allow the IDRS to statically test the locomotive’s systems in house at Wirksworth on the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway prior to fitting out to the former No. 58022 chassis and EM2 bogies. It will be retrofitted with VTR 200 turbos, Class 20 injectors and fuel pumps to effectively de-rate the power unit to 1800bhp at 750rpm up to a maximum of 2100bhp @ 900rpm.
Meanwhile, No. 56104 will now be reconstructed into a Class 69 loco by Progress Rail at Longport.