Earlier in the year, Rails of Sheffield received its all-new ‘OO’ gauge model of Metropolitan-Vickers prototype gas turbine 18100. MARK CHIVERS takes a closer look at this recent release.
Rails of Sheffield’s range of exclusive ‘OO’ gauge locomotives has continued to expand of late with this recently-arrived model of Metropolitan-Vickers prototype gas turbine Co-Co 18100 in BR black and silver with early crests.
Completed by Metropolitan-Vickers of Manchester in the early 1950s, 18100 was the result of the Great Western Railway wishing to pursue a homegrown gas turbine locomotive following on from Swiss-built 18000 in the 1940s. However, the Second World War delayed plans and it wasn’t until 1951 that 18100 was eventually delivered.
Despite being considerably heavier than anticipated – 129.5tons rather than the specified 120tons – the locomotive was subjected to a series of tests between Swindon and Plymouth, with up to 18 carriages being hauled over the steep Devon banks.
Above: Rails of Sheffield’s exclusive ‘OO' gauge Metropolitan-Vickers prototype gas turbine 18100 captures the distinctive heft of the real thing.
The locomotive’s in-service career was short-lived, with it being set aside for conversion to heavy oil fuel cons…
