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GT3, meaning Gas Turbine number 3 (following 18000 and 18100 as gas turbines 1 and 2), was a prototype mainline gas turbine locomotive built in 1961 by English Electric at their Vulcan Foundry in Newton-le-Willows to demonstrate its wares to British Railways. Externally it resembled a steam locomotive, especially with its tender, which carried its diesel fuel.

It was of 4-6-0 wheel arrangement and was fitted with a EM27L gas turbine of 2700hp. It had a maximum speed of 90mph, weighed 123.5tons, and was painted red.

BR tested it at its Rugby test centre and then on the former Great Central Main Line around Leicester and the West Coast Main Line around the Shap incline. However, BR decided to stay with diesel and electric traction, and GT3 was returned to English Electric at the end of 1962, where it was gradually dismantled.

Author:	bobyar2001 [ Thu Jul 06, 2006 11:39 am ]
Post subject:	UK Gas Turbine Question
Interesting locomotive, built on a steam-like chassis. What did it burn? When was it scrapped? http://abpr.railfan.net/abprphoto.cgi?d ... 04/GT3.jpg

Author:	survivingworldsteam [ Thu Jul 06, 2006 12:20 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: UK Gas Turbine Question
According to Wikipedia, diesel fuel and 1962: Quote: GT3, meaning Gas Turbine number 3 (following 18000 and 18100 as gas turbines 1 and 2), was a prototype mainline gas turbine locomotive built in 1961 by English Electric at their Vulcan Foundry in Newton-le-Willows to demonstrate its wares to British Railways. Externally it resembled a steam locomotive, especially with its tender, which carried its diesel fuel. It was of 4-6-0 wheel arrangement and was fitted with a EM27L gas turbine of 2700hp. It had a maximum speed of 90mph, weighed 123.5tons, and was painted red. BR tested it at its Rugby test centre and then on the former Great Central Main Line around Leicester and the West Coast Main Line around the Shap incline. However, BR decided to stay with diesel and electric traction, and GT3 was returned to English Electric at the end of 1962, where it was gradually dismantled. -James Hefner Hebrews 10:20a Surviving World Steam Project

Author:	survivingworldsteam [ Thu Jul 06, 2006 12:24 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: UK Gas Turbine Question
More on it here; apparently, it was intended as a means of recycling steam locomotives; and the last of it was not scrapped until 1966: http://britishrailways.tripod.com/exgt3.html -James Hefner Hebrews 10:20a Surviving World Steam Project

Author:	survivingworldsteam [ Thu Jul 06, 2006 12:45 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: UK Gas Turbine Question
And finally, this page has a picture of it running on a test stand sans covers in 1955-1956. It also gives other details about the locomotive itself and the entire test program: http://www.enuii.com/vulcan_foundry/oddities/gt3.htm -James Hefner Hebrews 10:20a Surviving World Steam Project

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