View source for British Rail Class 52

{{Short description|Class of 74 C-C diesel-hydraulic locomotives}}
{{EngvarB|date=April 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2014}}
{{Infobox locomotive
| name = British Rail Class 52
| powertype = [[Diesel-hydraulic]]
| image = File:"Western Lady" At Old Oak Common - 1976 (14153848945).jpg
| caption = D1048 "Western Lady" at [[Old Oak Common TMD]] in 1976.
| fleetnumbers = D1000–D1073
| totalproduction = 74
| nicknames = ''Westerns'', ''Wizzos'', ''Thousands''.
| builder = {{unbulleted list|[[Swindon Works]] (30)|[[Crewe Works]] (44)}}
| builddate = 1961–1964
| gauge = {{Track gauge|ussg|allk=on}}
| primemover = 2 × [[Maybach MD655]] ({{convert|64.5|L|cuin|abbr=on|disp=or}})
| transmission = [[Torque converter|Hydraulic]]
| Britishclass = C-C
| uicclass = [[C′C′]]
| wheeldiameter = {{convert|3|ft|7|in|m|3|abbr=on}}
| minimumcurve = {{convert|4.5|chain|ft m|lk=in}}
| trainbrakes = [[Vacuum brake|Vacuum]]; later [[Vacuum brake#Dual brakes|Dual]] ([[Railway airbrake|Air]] and Vacuum)
| locobrakeforce = {{convert|50|LTf|sigfig=3|abbr=on|lk=on}}
| wheelbase = {{convert|54|ft|8|in|m|2|abbr=on}}
| length = {{convert|68|ft|0|in|m|2|abbr=on}}
| width = {{convert|8|ft|8|in|m|2|abbr=on}}
| height = {{convert|12|ft|11+3/4|in|m|2|abbr=on}}
| locoweight = {{convert|108|LT|t ST|sigfig=3|lk=on}}
| maxspeed = {{convert|90|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}
| poweroutput = ''Engines:'' {{convert|1350|bhp|0|abbr=on|lk=in}} at 1,500 [[Revolutions per minute|rpm]] × 2<br>''At rail:'' {{convert|2000|hp|0|abbr=on}}
| tractiveeffort = ''Maximum:'' {{convert|66700|lbf|kN|sigfig=3|abbr=on|lk=on}}<br>''Continuous:'' {{convert|45200|lbf|kN|sigfig=3|abbr=on|lk=on}}@ {{convert|14.5|mph|km/h|sigfig=3|abbr=on}}[https://web.archive.org/web/20051030172833/http://web.ukonline.co.uk/markshipman/railway/class52.htm]
| fuelcap = {{convert|850|impgal|abbr=on}}
| trainheating = [[Steam generator (railroad)|Steam]]
| multipleworking = Not fitted
| axleloadclass = [[Route availability]] 7
| operator = [[Western Region of British Railways]]
| withdrawndate = 1973–1977
| disposition = 7 preserved, remainder scrapped
}}

The '''British Rail Class 52''' is a class of 74 [[List of British Rail power classifications#Type 4|Type 4]] [[diesel-hydraulic]] [[locomotive]]s built for the [[Western Region of British Railways]] between 1961 and 1964. All were given two-word names, the first word being "''Western''" and thus the type became known as '''''Westerns'''''. They were also known as ''Wizzos'' and ''Thousands''.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Whittaker |first1=Nicholas |title=Platform Souls: The Trainspotter as 20th-Century Hero |date=6 August 2015 |publisher=Icon Books Limited |location=London, UK |isbn=9781848319905 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1aF8CAAAQBAJ |access-date=14 November 2020}}</ref> The final Class 52 locomotives were withdrawn from service in 1977.

==Historical context==
[[File:Seer Green station geograph-2400005-by-Ben-Brooksbank.jpg|thumb|left|An early photo of D1005 ''Western Venturer'' in 1962.]]
When switching to diesel traction as part of the [[History of rail transport in Great Britain 1948–1994#The Modernisation Plan|Modernisation Plan]] of the 1950s, [[British Rail]]ways (BR) designed, and commissioned designs for, a large number of locomotive types. At this time BR's regions had a high degree of autonomy, which extended as far as classes of locomotives ordered and even the design criteria for those locomotives. Whilst almost all other diesel locomotives were diesel-electric, the [[Western Region of British Railways|Western Region]] employed a policy of using diesel-hydraulic traction, originally commissioning three classes of main line locomotives: a type 2 and two type 4s (later designations [[British Rail Class 22|Class 22]], [[British Rail Class 41 (Warship Class)|Class 41]] and [[British Rail Class 42|Class 42]]). With pressure to increase the speed of the transition from steam to diesel, volume orders for the Class 22 and Class 42 (along with a similar design [[British Rail Class 43 (Warship Class)|Class 43]]) followed in 1957, a mere two years after the original orders and well before any idea of performance or reliability could be gained. 

At the same time it was realised that all the existing orders (diesel-electric and diesel-hydraulic) were for types 1, 2 and 4; thus orders were placed for 101 Type 3 diesel-hydraulics (later [[British Rail Class 35|Class 35]]). However the increasing demands for more powerful locomotives prompted a further order, in 1961, for 74 diesel-hydraulics of {{convert|2700|hp|abbr=on}}; so when the first locomotive was outshopped from [[Swindon Works]] in December 1961, less than a year after the order was placed, the Westerns were born.<ref>{{cite magazine |title= 2,700 hp Diesel-Hydraulic Locomotives for British Railways |magazine=[[Railway Gazette International|Railway Gazette]] |issue= 2 February 1962 |pages=129–131}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title= Western Enterprise |magazine=[[The Railway Magazine]] |issue=731 |date=March 1962 |pages=159–162}}</ref>

The theoretical advantage of diesel-hydraulic was simple: it resulted in a lighter locomotive than equivalent diesel-electric transmission. This provided a better power/weight ratio and decreased track wear. Unfortunately, it had several key disadvantages:

* The technology was proven in continental Europe, particularly Germany, but was new to the UK. At the time, it was considered politically unacceptable for the UK government to order railway rolling stock from foreign companies, especially German companies so soon after the Second World War. This resulted in most of the engines and transmissions being manufactured in the United Kingdom under licence from the German manufacturers.<ref name=clough>{{cite book | last = Clough | first = David N | title = Hydraulic vs Electric; The battle for the BR diesel fleet | publisher = Ian Allan | date = 2011 | location = Hersham, Surrey | isbn = 978-0-7110-3550-8}}</ref>
* The most robust hydraulic transmissions were only capable of handling engines with power output of around 1,500&nbsp;hp (1,120&nbsp;kW); building  a more powerful locomotive would involve two diesel engines and two transmissions.
* The transmission had significantly higher power losses than diesel-electric, negating some of the benefits and resulting in considerably higher fuel consumption.{{citation needed|date=May 2017}}

[[File:D1015 Western Champion in Swindon Works.jpg|thumb|D1015 ''Western Champion'' in [[Swindon Works]]]]
Experience showed that the [[Bristol-Siddeley]]-[[MTU Friedrichshafen|Maybach]] engines were superior to those made by [[North British Locomotive Company]]-[[MAN SE|MAN]] and although the use of twin engines in the same locomotive was new, the design did not produce any insurmountable problems. In the end the diesel-hydraulic experiment foundered on low fleet numbers, poor maintenance conditions and design issues; not on its German heritage or development of a novel configuration. BR's Swindon Works maintained all the diesel-hydraulic locomotives, and their early demise resulted in a much reduced workload and hastened its eventual closure in 1986.

== The Western ==
[[File:1023 1z15 Paddington extra service at Exeter St Davids - geograph.org.uk - 734618.jpg|thumb|left|D1023 ''Western Fusilier'' at {{stnlnk|Exeter St Davids}} with a train for the South West]]
With the Hymeks and Warships already in service but proving underpowered for top-link services, BR Western Region needed a high-powered locomotive for these trains – the Western therefore needed two diesel engines to achieve the required power output. In keeping with their policy, a new locomotive with a hydraulic transmission was envisaged. Experience had shown that the Maybach engines in the Hymeks were superior to the earlier Maybach and MAN engines used in the Warships, particularly in power output. Also Maybach were able to offer their MD655 engines (an intercooled version of the MD650 used in {{brc|42}}) rated at {{convert|1350|bhp|abbr=on}} allied to a Voith L630rV transmission; a [[Mekydro]] transmission designed to handle such power could not be fitted into the British loading gauge.{{sfn|Clough|2011|pp=96–97}}

Prototypes sited the engines behind the driving cabs but drivers found this too noisy; moving the engines centrally meant making the locomotive heavier, removing some of the design's advantage. In operational use, the dual-engine arrangement turned out to have some advantages: in particular, the Westerns were able to continue operating with a single engine running in situations where more conventional single-engine designs would require rescue by another locomotive.

The most serious continual problem with the class was a mismatch between the Maybach MD655 engines and the [[Voith]] L630rV three speed hydraulic transmissions, a design fault. The top gear ratio in the transmission was too high for the torque characteristics of the engine: the result was that a single locomotive could struggle to reach its claimed {{convert|90|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}} top speed in the absence of down grades, more so when work-weary and due for overhaul. This factor, the [[South Devon Banks]] (a major part of their running grounds) and the deleterious effect on worn-out engines, all contributed against the Westerns continuing in top-line service. With fifty [[British Rail Class 50|Class 50]] locomotives becoming available following completion of the [[West Coast Main Line]] electrification, and new High Speed Trains, the speed and comfort increases the Western Region sought could be achieved and the Westerns dispensed with. Towards the end of their careers, the Westerns were all allocated to [[Laira Traction & Rolling Stock Maintenance Depot|Laira (Plymouth)]].

{{clear left}}

== Competition and comfort ==
{| class="wikitable floatright"
|+Distribution of locomotives,<br />July 1967<ref>{{cite book |title=British Rail Locoshed Book |date=February 1968 |publisher=[[Ian Allan Publishing]] |location=Shepperton |isbn=0-7110-0004-2 |page=12 }}</ref>
|-
|colspan=3 |{{Location map+ |England south|width=220 |caption= |places=
 {{Location map~|England south|lat_deg=51.4461 |lon_deg=-2.5792 |label=82A |link=Bristol Bath Road depot |marksize=11 |position=right }}
 {{Location map~|England south|lat_deg=50.3819 |lon_deg=-4.1055 |label=84A |link=Laira Traction & Rolling Stock Maintenance Depot |marksize=16 |position=top }}
}}
|-
!Code ||Name ||Quantity
|-
|style="text-align:center" |82A ||[[Bristol Bath Road depot|Bristol Bath Road]] ||style="text-align:right" |15
|-
|style="text-align:center" |84A ||[[Laira Traction & Rolling Stock Maintenance Depot|Laira]] ||style="text-align:right" |59
|-
!colspan=2 scope=row |Total:
|style="text-align:right" |74
|}
Whilst the design was largely successful, the working life of the class was relatively short. Its non-standard design added to its maintenance costs at a time when national British Rail policy was moving away from diesel-hydraulics. When the Westerns were introduced in 1962, the Western Region had 226 diesel-hydraulics and 10 diesel-electrics (excluding shunters); by 1966, the numbers were 345 and 269 respectively. As a result, the early 1970s saw the decision taken to retire all the diesel-hydraulic types. [[British Rail Class 46|Class 46s]] and [[British Rail Class 47|Class 47s]] took over passengers and heavy freight, [[British Rail Class 31|Class 31s]] and [[British Rail Class 37|Class 37s]] took over light passengers and freight, and   [[British Rail Class 25|Class 25s]] covered the lighter duties. Following completion of the electrification of the West Coast Main Line throughout from [[Euston railway station|London]] to [[Glasgow Central railway station|Glasgow]], the [[British Rail Class 50|Class 50s]] were reallocated to the Western Region; the introduction of High Speed Trains three years later was the final nail in the coffin for the Class 52 Westerns.

In 1968–69, the Westerns received train air brake equipment in addition to their vacuum exhausters, thus significantly extending their working lives, unlike the similar but lower-powered, [[British Rail Class 42|Warship]] [[British Rail Class 43 (Warship Class)|class]].  Four of the class (D1017–D1020) did not receive dual brakes, with these locomotives being among the first withdrawals. The vacuum brake equipment was retained and to fit the additional equipment, it was necessary to remove one of the fuel tanks.<ref>{{harvnb|Reed|1978|pp=70–71}}</ref> However, as with the Warships, it proved impossible to equip them with [[head end power|electric train heating]] (ETH, or head-end power in US terminology). The Western Region faced particularly stiff competition for its prime inter-city services in the mid to late 1970s from the [[M4 motorway]] and it was generally felt within BR that significant speed and comfort improvements on the prime [[Paddington railway station|London Paddington]]-[[Bristol Temple Meads railway station|Bristol]] route were necessary. The lack of ETH meant the Westerns could not power the newly introduced air-conditioned [[British Rail Mark 2|BR Mark 2d/e/f coaches]] – a shortcoming that classes 47 and 50, equipped with ETH (the latter from new), did not share.<ref>{{Cite book |title=BR Diary 1968–1977 |last=Heaps  |first=Chris |publisher=[[Ian Allan Publishing]] |year=1988 |isbn=0-7110-1611-9 |page=67}}</ref>

== Performance ==
The highest recorded speed with a Western that [[O. S. Nock]] was aware of was {{convert|102|mph|abbr=on}} when D1068 hauled nine coaches (305 tons gross) down 1 in 1,320 (i.e. virtually level) at [[Southall railway station|Southall]]. The train averaged exactly {{convert|100|mph|abbr=on|sigfig=3}} for {{convert|12.8|mi}} between [[Slough railway station|Slough]] and [[Ealing Broadway railway station|Ealing]] whilst hauling a service from [[Reading railway station|Reading]] to Paddington.<ref>{{cite magazine |magazine=[[Railway Magazine]] |volume=122|issue=901|date=May 1976 |pages=225–226 |editor-first=J.N. |editor-last=Slater |publisher=IPC Transport Press |location=London |title='Western' Sunset |first=K.S. |last=Farr }}</ref>

However, in terms of drawbar horsepower the Westerns were in some ways less capable than similarly-powerful diesel electrics. Nock states "whilst the Westerns took their rightful place as fast and powerful locomotives it became evident that they were showing the same deficiency in actual power put forth at the drawbar as the [diesel-hydraulic] Warships had done. The highest output that came to my notice was a sustained {{convert|85|mph|abbr=on}} hauling 560 tons descending 1 in 1,320, which equates to 1,500 edhp (equivalent drawbar horsepower)".<ref>{{cite book |last=Nock |first=O.S. |author-link=O. S. Nock |title=British Locomotives of the 20th Century: Volume 3 1960-the present day |year=1985 |publisher=Guild Publishing/Book Club Associates |location=London |id=CN9613 |page=59 }}</ref>  A similar result was obtained when Clough & Beckett<ref>{{cite book |title=BR Motive Power Performance |page=122}}</ref> compared the performance of type 4 diesel locomotives (Classes 45/46/47/50/52) hauling trains up the ascent to Whiteball summit. They deliberately chose data to show each class in their best light and included a Western run which produced 1,775 edhp but they still concluded that "without doubt the Westerns get the wooden spoon; certainly not what one would expect from units of 2,700 bhp". The best performer was the Class 50, a {{convert|2700|hp|abbr=on|lk=on}} diesel-electric locomotive: on one run this achieved 2,115 edhp.

Despite this apparent limitation, the BR Western Region load-limit book gave the same 550 ton loading figure for both the Class 52 and Class 47 diesels over the South Devon banks between [[Newton Abbot railway station|Newton Abbot]] and [[Plymouth railway station|Plymouth]]. The reason for this is that, while the diesel-electric classes could produce high maximum tractive effort for limited periods, diesel hydraulics could produce significantly higher continuous tractive effort.<ref name=clough />

== Fleet list ==
{{refimprove|section|date=May 2023}}
[[File:NRM Class 52 1021 1073 nameplates.jpg|thumb|Name and numberplates at the [[National Railway Museum]]]]
While the first Western was under construction, proposals for livery and names were prepared by the BR design panel. The D1000 series locomotives were to be named after famous [[West of England]] place names; the illustration from the portfolio shows D1000 bearing the name ''Cheddar Gorge''. This was not followed in production, however, and the Westerns were named with general heraldic and regimental terms prefixed with the word "Western" as per the following table.

Of the 74 locomotives built, 7 have survived to preservation.
{{Clear}}
{| class="wikitable collapsible"
|-
! Image || Number<ref name="63combine">{{cite book |title=British Railways Motive Power |date=1963 |publisher=Ian Allan |location=Shepperton |pages=149–150 |edition=Combined Volume}}</ref> || Name<ref name="63combine" /> || Built || Liveries || Withdrawn<ref name=stocklist>{{Cite book| last = Till  | first = J O| title = Western Stock List | publisher = Steam & Diesel Publications| year = 1977| location = Camberley  | pages = 9}}
</ref> || Disposition || Notes
|-
| [[File:D1000-old oak common - 1964.jpg|100px]] || D1000 ||''Western Enterprise'' || BR Swindon 20.12.61 || Desert Sand<BR>Maroon<BR>Rail Blue || 02/1974 ||Scrapped 31.07.74 BREL Swindon || 
|-
| [[File:Class 52 D1001 Western Pathfinder, Old Oak Common, 6 June 1976 (2).jpg|100px]] || D1001 ||''Western Pathfinder''|| BR Swindon 12.02.62 || Maroon<BR>Rail Blue || 10/1976 ||Scrapped 08.77 BREL Swindon  || Originally outshopped without yellow warning panels; the [[buffer beam]]s being painted yellow instead <ref name=power>{{Cite book| last = Judge| first = Colin| title = The Power of the Westerns| publisher = Oxford Publishing Co. Ltd| year = 1977| location = Oxford| isbn = 0-902888-98-6}}</ref>
|-
| || D1002 ||''Western Explorer''|| BR Swindon 19.03.62 || Brunswick Green<ref name=vaughan>{{Cite book| last = Vaughan| first = John| title = Western Diesels in Camera| publisher = Ian Allan| year = 1977| location = Shepperton| pages = 9| isbn = 0-7110-0831-0}}
</ref><BR>Maroon<BR>Rail Blue || 10/1976 ||Scrapped 08.77 BREL Swindon  ||
|-
| [[File:Steam & Diesel at Paddington.jpg|100px]] || D1003 ||''Western Pioneer''|| BR Swindon 14.04.62 || Brunswick Green<ref name=vaughan /><BR>Maroon<BR>Rail Blue || 01/1975 || Scrapped  08.77 BREL Swindon ||
|-
| || D1004 ||''Western Crusader''|| BR Swindon 12.05.62 || Brunswick Green<ref name=vaughan /><BR>Maroon<BR>Rail Blue || 08/1973 || Scrapped 19.09.74 BREL Swindon ||
|-
| [[File:Class 52 D1005 Western Venturer, Reading, 20 April 1976.jpg|100px]] || D1005 ||''Western Venturer''|| BR Swindon 18.06.62 || Brunswick Green<ref name=vaughan /><BR>Maroon<BR>Rail Blue || 11/1976 || Scrapped 17.06.77 BREL Swindon ||
|-
| || D1006 ||''Western Stalwart''|| BR Swindon 06.07.62 || Maroon<BR>Rail Blue || 04/1975 ||Scrapped 24.03.77 BREL Swindon  ||
|-
| [[File:Birmingham New Street Station - geograph.org.uk - 6506543.jpg|100px]] || D1007 ||''Western Talisman''|| BR Swindon 01.08.62 || Maroon<BR>Rail Blue || 01/1974 ||Scrapped 24.02.75 BREL Swindon  || Was extensively damaged in the [[Ealing rail crash|Ealing rail disaster]] of 19 December 1973 and subsequently scrapped. 
|-
| || D1008 ||''Western Harrier''|| BR Swindon 04.09.62 || Maroon<BR>Rail Blue || 10/1974 ||Scrapped 10.10.75 BREL Swindon  ||
|-
| [[File:Class 52 D1009 and a Class 128 DMU at Reading in 1975.jpg|100px]] || D1009 ||''Western Invader''|| BR Swindon 24.09.62 || Maroon<BR>Rail Blue || 11/1976 ||Scrapped 11.78 BREL Swindon  ||
|-
| [[File:Williton North Yard D1010.jpg|100px]] || D1010 ||''Western Campaigner''|| BR Swindon 15.10.62 || Maroon<BR>Rail Blue || 28/02/77 ||Preserved by the Diesel & Electric Preservation Group<ref>{{cite web |title=Class 52 D1010 'WESTERN CAMPAIGNER' |url=https://depg.org/our-locomotives/class-52-d1010-western-campaigner/ |website=DEPG |access-date=27 January 2021}}</ref>
 || Standby loco for the ''Western Tribute'' Railtour.<ref name=memories>{{Cite book| last = Watts| first = Peter| title = Western Memories| publisher = Peter Watts| year = 1977| location = Gloucester| isbn = 0-906025-00-1}}
</ref>
|-
| || D1011 ||''Western Thunderer''|| BR Swindon 27.10.62 || Maroon<BR>Rail Blue || 10/1975 ||Scrapped 12.78 BREL Swindon ||
|-
|[[File:D1012 Western Firebrand.jpg|100px]] || D1012 ||''Western Firebrand''|| BR Swindon 17.11.62 || Maroon<BR>Rail Blue || 11/1975 ||Scrapped 04.79 BREL Swindon ||
|-
| [[File:D1013 Western Ranger at Kidderminster, October 2023.jpg|100x100px]]|| D1013 ||''Western Ranger''|| BR Swindon 13.12.62 || Maroon<BR>Rail Blue || 28/02/77 ||Preserved by the Western Locomotive Association || Hauled the ''Western Tribute'' Railtour on 26/02/77 (with D1023); the last Western-hauled train on BR.<ref name=memories />
|-
| || D1014 ||''Western Leviathan''|| BR Swindon 24.12.62 || Maroon<BR>Rail Blue || 08/1974 ||Scrapped 13.02.75 BREL Swindon ||
|-
| [[File:Hugh llewelyn D1015 (5555393987).jpg|100px]] || D1015 ||''Western Champion''|| BR Swindon 21.01.63 || Golden Ochre<ref name=vaughan /><br>Maroon<BR>Rail Blue || 04/01/77 ||Preserved by the [[Diesel Traction Group (UK)|Diesel Traction Group]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Western Champion |url=http://www.westernchampion.co.uk/ |website=Diesel Traction Group |access-date=27 January 2021}}</ref>|| Hauled the return working of Churchill's funeral train in 1965.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Sir Winston Churchill's Last Journey |magazine=[[Railway Magazine]] |issue=767 |date=March 1965 |page=134 |editor1-last=Cooke |editor1-first=B.W.C. |location=Westminster |publisher=Tothill Press |volume=111 }}</ref>
|-
| [[File:Class 52 D1016 Western Gladiator, Hayes and Harlington, summer 1972.jpg|100x100px]]|| D1016 ||''Western Gladiator''|| BR Swindon 16.02.63 || Maroon<BR>Rail Blue || 12/1975 ||Scrapped 08.77 BREL Swindon ||
|-
| || D1017 ||''Western Warrior''|| BR Swindon 15.03.63 || Maroon<BR>Rail Blue || 08/1973 ||Scrapped 12.03.75 BREL Swindon ||
|-
| || D1018 ||''Western Buccaneer''|| BR Swindon 02.04.63 || Maroon<BR>Rail Blue || 06/1973 ||Scrapped 20.03.74 BREL Swindon ||
|-
| || D1019 ||''Western Challenger''|| BR Swindon 02.05.63 || Maroon<BR>Rail Blue || 05/1973 ||Scrapped 03.10.74 BREL Swindon ||
|-
| || D1020 ||''Western Hero''|| BR Swindon 21.05.63 || Maroon<BR>Rail Blue || 06/1973 ||Scrapped 17.04.74 BREL Swindon ||
|-
| [[File:Class 52 D1021 Western Cavalier, 8 May 1976.jpg|100px]] || D1021 ||''Western Cavalier''|| BR Swindon 17.06.63 || Maroon<BR>Rail Blue || 08/1976 ||Scrapped 02.79 BREL Swindon ||
|-
| [[File:Class 52 D1022 Western Sentinel, Old Oak Common, 25 January 1977.jpg|100px]] || D1022 ||''Western Sentinel''|| BR Swindon 16.07.63 || Maroon<BR>Rail Blue || 01/1977 ||Scrapped 12.78 BREL Swindon ||
|-
| [[File:1023 1z15 Paddington extra service at Exeter St Davids - geograph.org.uk - 734618.jpg|100px]] || D1023 ||''Western Fusilier''|| BR Swindon 23.09.63 || Maroon<BR>Rail Blue || 28/02/1977 ||Preserved as part of the [[List of locomotives in the UK National Collection|national collection]] by the [[National Railway Museum|NRM]]||Hauled the ''Western Tribute'' Railtour on 26/02/77 (with D1013); the last Western-hauled train on BR.<ref name=memories />
|-
| || D1024 ||''Western Huntsman''|| BR Swindon 01.10.63 || Maroon<BR>Rail Blue || 11/1973 ||Scrapped 14.08.74 BREL Swindon ||
|-
| || D1025 ||''Western Guardsman''|| BR Swindon 01.11.63 || Maroon<BR>Rail Blue || 10/1975 ||Scrapped 01.79 BREL Swindon ||
|-
| [[File:D1026 on China Clay 'Hood' wagons - geograph.org.uk - 79482.jpg|100x100px]]|| D1026 ||''Western Centurion''|| BR Swindon 24.12.63 || Maroon<BR>Rail Blue || 10/1975 ||Scrapped 06.08.76 BREL Swindon ||
|-
| [[File:1027 failed at Exeter St Davids is taken off a Paddington service - geograph.org.uk - 734593.jpg|100px]] || D1027 ||''Western Lancer''|| BR Swindon 28.01.64 || Maroon<BR>Rail Blue || 11/1975 ||Scrapped 10.06.76 BREL Swindon ||
|-
| [[File:Class 52 D1028 Western Hussar, Old Oak Common turntable, 27 May 1976.jpg|100px]] || D1028 ||''Western Hussar''|| BR Swindon 25.02.64 || Maroon<BR>Rail Blue || 10/1976 ||Scrapped 06.79 BREL Swindon||
|-
| || D1029 ||''Western {{sic|Legionaire|expected=Legionnaire}}''|| BR Swindon 20.04.64 || Maroon<BR>Rail Blue || 11/1974 ||Scrapped 29.05.75 BREL Swindon || Renamed ''Western Legionnaire'' in 1969, the nameplate being cut to allow the additional letter to be inserted.<ref>{{cite journal| first = M  | last = Walker | title = Loco profile of the Westerns.| journal = The Marlow Donkey | issue = 101 | pages = 8–10|date=September 2002 }}</ref>
|-
| || D1030 ||''Western Musketeer''|| BR Crewe 05.12.63 || Maroon<BR>Chromatic Blue<ref name=power /><BR>Rail Blue || 04/1976 ||Scrapped 22.09.76 BREL Swindon ||
|-
| || D1031 ||''Western Rifleman''|| BR Crewe 20.12.63 || Maroon<BR>Rail Blue || 02/1975 ||Scrapped 06.10.76 BREL Swindon||
|-
| || D1032 ||''Western Marksman''|| BR Crewe 31.12.63 || Maroon<BR>Rail Blue || 05/1973 ||Scrapped 05.12.74 BREL Swindon ||
|-
| [[File:Class 52 D1033 Western Trooper, Paddington, 18 May 1976.jpg|100x100px]]|| D1033 ||''Western Trooper''|| BR Crewe 17.01.64 || Maroon<BR>Rail Blue || 09/1976 ||Scrapped 04.79 BREL Swindon||
|-
| [[File:"Western Dragoon" Exeter St Davids.jpg|100x100px]]|| D1034 ||''Western Dragoon''|| BR Crewe 15.04.64 || Maroon<BR>Rail Blue || 10/1975 ||Scrapped 20.05.77 BREL Swindon ||
|-
| [[File:Williton 1035 Western Yeoman aka 1010.jpg|100px]] || D1035 ||''Western Yeoman''|| BR Crewe 17.07.62 || Maroon<BR>Rail Blue || 01/1975 ||Scrapped 30.09.76 BREL Swindon||
|-
| [[File:Exeter St Davids 1036 Paddington service - geograph.org.uk - 734582.jpg|100x100px]]|| D1036 ||''Western Emperor''|| BR Crewe 29.08.62 || Brunswick Green<ref name=vaughan /><BR>Rail Blue || 11/1976 ||Scrapped 24.02.77 BREL Swindon ||
|-
|[[File:D1037 Western Empress.jpg|100px]] || D1037 ||''Western Empress''|| BR Crewe 31.08.62 || Brunswick Green<ref name=vaughan /><BR>Maroon<BR>Rail Blue || 05/1976 ||Scrapped 16.02.77 BREL Swindon||
|-
| [[File:D1038 Western Sovereign (8317834037).jpg|100x100px]]|| D1038 ||''Western Sovereign''|| BR Crewe 07.09.62 || Brunswick Green<ref name=vaughan /><BR>Maroon<BR>Rail Blue || 10/1973 ||Scrapped 20.11.74 BREL Swindon||
|-
| || D1039 ||''Western King''|| BR Crewe 07.09.62 || Maroon<BR>Rail Blue || 07/1973 ||Scrapped 05.09.74 BREL Swindon || One of the few Westerns to have full yellow ends applied to Maroon livery <ref name=power />
|-
| || D1040 ||''Western Queen''|| BR Crewe 20.09.62 || Maroon<BR>Rail Blue || 02/1976 ||Scrapped 11.08.76 BREL Swindon ||
|-
| [[File:Class 52 D1041 Western Prince, Westbury, 6 December 1976.jpg|100x100px]]|| D1041 ||''Western Prince''|| BR Crewe 10.10.62 || Maroon<BR>Rail Blue || 02/1977 ||Preserved by the Bury Diesel Group [https://web.archive.org/web/20110514174121/http://www.burydiesel.freeserve.co.uk/index.htm]||
|-
| || D1042 ||''Western Princess''|| BR Crewe 19.10.62 || Maroon<BR>Rail Blue || 07/1973 ||Scrapped 18.05.74 BREL Swindon||
|-
| [[File:Class 52 D1043 Western Duke, Swindon works, 1976.jpg|100x100px]]|| D1043 ||''Western Duke''|| BR Crewe 26.10.62 || Maroon<BR>Rail Blue || 04/1976 ||Scrapped 10.02.77 BREL Swindon||
|-
| || D1044 ||''Western Duchess''|| BR Crewe 12.11.62 || Maroon<BR>Rail Blue || 02/1975 ||Scrapped 10.09.75 BREL Swindon||
|-
| [[File:The Down Cornishman at Truro Station - geograph.org.uk - 788072.jpg|100px]] || D1045 ||''Western Viscount''|| BR Crewe 16.11.62 || Maroon<BR>Rail Blue || 12/1974 ||Scrapped 21.08.75 BREL Swindon||
|-
| || D1046 ||''Western Marquis''|| BR Crewe 24.12.62 || Maroon<BR>Rail Blue || 12/1975 ||Scrapped 10.11.76 BREL Swindon||
|-
| || D1047 ||''Western Lord''|| BR Crewe 04.02.63 || Maroon<BR>Rail Blue || 02/1976 ||Scrapped 09.09.76 BREL Swindon||
|-
| [[File:No.D1048 Western Lady (Class 52) (6103505303).jpg|100px]] || D1048 ||''Western Lady''|| BR Crewe 15.12.62 || Maroon<BR>Rail Blue || 02/1977 ||Preserved||
|-
| [[File:Class 52 Western, D1049 Western Monarch at Exmouth Junction coal depot - geograph.org.uk - 6116115.jpg|100px]] || D1049 ||''Western Monarch''|| BR Crewe 14.12.62 || Maroon<BR>Rail Blue || 04/1976 ||Scrapped 03.02.77 BREL Swindon||
|-
| || D1050 ||''Western Ruler''|| BR Crewe 01.01.63 || Maroon<BR>Rail Blue || 04/1975 ||Scrapped 08.04.76 BREL Swindon||
|-
| [[File:"Western Ambassador" At Old Oak Common - 1976 (14136476751).jpg|100x100px]]|| D1051 ||''Western Ambassador''|| BR Crewe || || || ||
|-
|[[File:D1052 Western Viceroy.jpg|100px]] || D1052 ||''Western Viceroy''|| BR Crewe || || || ||
|-
| [[File:D1053 Western Patriarch Reading.jpg|100px]] || D1053 ||''Western Patriarch''|| BR Crewe || || || ||
|-
| [[File:Paddington station geograph-2400392-by-Ben-Brooksbank.jpg|100x100px]]|| D1054 ||''Western Governor''|| BR Crewe || || || ||
|-
| || D1055 ||''Western Advocate''|| BR Crewe || || || ||
|-
| [[File:Class 52 D1056 Western Sultan, Iver, 4 June 1976.jpg|100px]] || D1056 ||''Western Sultan''|| BR Crewe || || || ||
|-
| || D1057 ||''Western Chieftain''|| BR Crewe || || || ||
|-
| [[File:Class 52 D1058 Western Nobleman, Plymouth, 13 December 1976.jpg|100x100px]]|| D1058 ||''Western Nobleman''|| BR Crewe || || || ||
|-
| || D1059 ||''Western Empire''|| BR Crewe || || || ||
|-
| [[File:D1060 Western Dominion at Exeter St Davids.jpg|100px]] || D1060 ||''Western Dominion''|| BR Crewe || || || ||
|-
| || D1061 ||''Western Envoy''|| BR Crewe || || || ||
|-
| [[File:BR D1062 Western Courier at Kidderminster.jpg|100px]] || D1062 ||''Western Courier''|| BR Crewe || || || Preserved ||
|-
| [[File:Swindon works scrapyard March 1977.jpg|100px]] || D1063 ||''Western Monitor''|| BR Crewe || || || ||
|-
| [[File:Class 52 D1064 at Westbury in 1975.jpg|100px]] || D1064 ||''Western Regent''|| BR Crewe || || || ||
|-
| [[File:D1065 Western Consort in Swindon scrapyard.jpg|100px]] || D1065 ||''Western Consort''|| BR Crewe || || || ||
|-
| || D1066 ||''Western Prefect''|| BR Crewe || || || ||
|-
| [[File:D1067 Western Druid(8228338924).jpg|100px]] || D1067 ||''Western Druid''|| BR Crewe || || || ||
|-
| [[File:Class 52 D1068 Western Reliance, Reading General, 26 May 1976.jpg|100px]] || D1068 ||''Western Reliance''|| BR Crewe || || || ||
|-
| [[File:Class 52 D1069 Western Vanguard, Didcot, Twin Pacifics, 26 October 1974.jpg|100px]] || D1069 ||''Western Vanguard''|| BR Crewe || || || ||
|-
| [[File:Class 52 D1070 Western Gauntlet, Paddington, 18 May 1976.jpg|100px]] || D1070 ||''Western Gauntlet''|| BR Crewe || || || ||
|-
| [[File:Class 52 D1071 Western Renown, Reading, 26 May 1976.jpg|100px]] || D1071 ||''Western Renown''|| BR Crewe || || || ||
|-
|[[File:D1072 Western Glory.jpg|100px]] || D1072 ||''Western Glory''|| BR Crewe || || || ||
|-
| [[File:D1073 Western Bulwark(8148103722).jpg|100px]] || D1073 ||''Western Bulwark''|| BR Crewe || || || ||
|}

Although designated Class 52 under the [[TOPS]] scheme and all were still in service when TOPS was introduced in 1973, no Western ever carried its "52 0xx" TOPS number. As withdrawal was already planned when the scheme was introduced and because of the cast number plates, it was not considered cost effective to renumber the locomotives. Some class members did run with the "D" of their number painted over – TOPS classification removed the need for locomotives to indicate their energy type in the running number (D = Diesel, E = Electric).

When the display of [[Train reporting number|destination headcodes]] on the front of trains was dropped in 1976, the instruction was given for them all to be set to "0000". On many Westerns, the headcode was set to display the locomotive's number in contravention of this directive and most surviving members of the class ran like this until they were scrapped. If used for routing, such reporting numbers would be interpreted as a passenger express terminating on the Southern Region.<ref>{{cite book |last=Bailey |first=M.R. |title=British Rail Headcodes |edition=5th |date=February 1968 |publisher=[[Ian Allan Publishing|Ian Allan]] |location=Shepperton |isbn=0-7110-0000-X |id=458 GEX 268 |pages=5–7 }}</ref>

== Liveries ==

===Early liveries===
[[File:D1000-old oak common - 1964.jpg|thumb|right|D1000 in Desert Sand livery, 1961]]
When the initial batch of Westerns was being built in 1961–2, British Rail was considering a new unified corporate colour scheme but had not yet made a final decision on what it would be. As a result, some of the early locomotives were painted in experimental liveries: D1000 was rolled out of Swindon Works in November 1961 painted in a light brown livery which became known as Desert Sand.<ref name=vaughan /> Initially the numbers, borne on the left hand cab when viewed from the side, were painted in white but soon individual numbers and letters, looking like they were cast but apparently made of wood, were fitted. This was in turn replaced by the final design of cast nameplate and numberplate; metal with a black background. This livery was later altered by the addition of a small yellow warning panel at each end and a black roof. 

The second locomotive, D1001 was delivered in an all-over maroon livery with yellow [[buffer beam]]s and further locomotives D1002-D1004 in all-over green with small yellow warning panels.<ref name=vaughan /> Remaining deliveries carried the all-over maroon livery, initially without yellow warning panels, but the latter were applied from new after D1010 of the Swindon-built, and D1043 of the Crewe-built locomotives. Exceptions were the first four locomotives built at Crewe, D1035–D1038, which were delivered in green livery with red backgrounds to the nameplates, and D1015, which was outshopped from Swindon in an experimental "golden ochre" livery with small yellow warning panels at each end.<ref name=vaughan /> On one end of this locomotive, the yellow panel was embellished by the addition of a yellow band which extended sideways from each of the top corners round onto the cabside for a short distance, resembling a T shape. The locomotive is not believed to have run in this condition, but was released to traffic in the golden ochre livery with standard small yellow panels.

===Corporate scheme===
[[File:Class 52 D1005 Western Venturer, Paddington, 18 May 1976.jpg|thumb|right|D1005 ''Western Venturer'' in BR blue.]]
After the adoption of Rail Blue with full yellow ends in 1966 (D1048 was the first of the class painted in this livery in 1966), for some unexplained reason a small batch of locomotives (D1017, D1030, D1036, D1037, D1043, D1047 and D1057) received this variant married to small yellow warning panels; D1030 carried red buffer beams for a short while. All other repaints were with full yellow ends which extended from the body line above the buffer beam up to the base of the window frames, along the sill of the cab-side windows onto the vertical end reveal. The valance above the cab windows on the front was also painted yellow, leaving the window frames in their base aluminium. The drive to repaint the locomotives in Rail Blue was outstripped by the safety directive dictating full yellow ends for all powered vehicles and some locomotives ran for a time with their original maroon bodies and full yellow ends.

The last locomotive to be repainted into Rail Blue was D1046, outshopped from Swindon in May 1971. Some early photographs of the blue livery give it a more metallic shade which is even more evident on the locomotives with small yellow panels. This however is possibly a photographic anomaly with colour film or due to printing techniques.

It is commonly accepted amongst Western enthusiasts in recent years that none of the class or any other British Rail locomotive of the period were ever painted with a metallic paint. However, several publications refer to initial painting in blue as being "chromatic blue" and published images do show a metallic sheen and lighter shade of blue than the standard Rail Blue.<ref name = Judge>{{cite book  | last = Judge | first = Colin | title = The Power of the Westerns | publisher = OPC | pages = Plate 44 | year=  1977 | location = Oxford | isbn = 0-902888-98-6 }}</ref>

== Incidents ==

* 15 August 1963. [[Knowle and Dorridge rail crash]]. D1040 ''Western Queen''<ref>{{cite web |title=Remembering three crewmen who died in Western Queen crash of 1963 |url=https://www.pressreader.com/uk/heritage-railway/20220927/282454237853086 |website=Press Reader |access-date=10 December 2023}}</ref> collided with a freight train, crushing the cab and killing the three traincrew.<ref>{{cite web|last1=McMullen|first1=D|title=Report on the Collision that occurred on 15th August 1963 at Knowle and Dorridge|url=http://www.railwaysarchive.co.uk/documents/MoT_Knowle1963.pdf|website=Railways Archive|publisher=HMSO|access-date=30 January 2015|date=1964}}</ref> The locomotive was repaired and returned to service.
* 11 January 1967. St Annes Bristol rail crash. No. 1071 ''Western Renown'' in charge of the diverted 12:00 [[Paddington railway station|Paddington]] to [[Swansea railway station|Swansea]] collided with the rear of the 11:45 Paddington to [[Bristol Temple Meads railway station|Bristol]] hauled by No. 1067 ''Western Druid''. The collision resulted in very severe damage being caused to the leading cab of locomotive No. 1071, but the three men in the cab escaped injury by moving into the centre of the locomotive. Nineteen passengers required first aid or medical treatment but there were no fatalities or serious injuries. The locomotive was repaired and returned to service.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C10588371|title=Catalogue description Pages 1 to 7. Railway company: Western Region. Report on the Collision that occurred on...|date=15 October 1967|via=National Archive of the UK}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.railwaysarchive.co.uk/docsummary.php?docID=534|archive-url=https://archive.today/20150128134935/http://www.railwaysarchive.co.uk/docsummary.php?docID=534 |archive-date=28 January 2015|title=Report on the Collision that occurred on 11th January 1967 at St. Anne's Park, Bristol in the Western Region British Railways |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://images.nationalarchives.gov.uk/assetbank-nationalarchives/action/viewAsset?id=29203&index=0&total=2&view=viewSearchItem|title=Image details - Rail collision St Anne's Park, near Bristol|access-date=28 January 2015|archive-date=9 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160209120639/https://images.nationalarchives.gov.uk/assetbank-nationalarchives/action/viewAsset?id=29203&index=0&total=2&view=viewSearchItem|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* 19 December 1973.  [[Ealing rail crash]].  No. 1007 ''Western Talisman'' derailed while hauling an express passenger train, after an unlocked battery box door fell open, broke off and changed points under the locomotive. Ten people were killed.<ref>{{cite web |title=Official accident report| publisher=HMSO, reproduced at The Railways Archive| url=http://www.railwaysarchive.co.uk/documents/DoE_Ealing1973.pdf| access-date=16 September 2009}}</ref> The locomotive did not return to service.
* 29 January 1975 (Oxford). No. 1023 ''Western Fusilier'' derailed with a London Paddington to Birmingham train whilst approaching the platform. This was due to a failed axle which had split due to the growth of a previously undetected crack. There were no reported injuries and the locomotive was later preserved.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.railwaysarchive.co.uk/documents/DoE_Oxford1975.pdf |title=Report on the Derailment that occurred on 29th January 1975 near Oxford Station |access-date=26 May 2022}}</ref>
* 3 January 1976 (Worcester Tunnel). No. 1055 ''Western Advocate'' crashed into a stationary parcels train killing the driver and guard of the Western.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.railwaysarchive.co.uk/documents/DoT_WorcesterTunnel1976.pdf |title=Report on the Collision that occurred on 3rd January 1976 at Worcester Tunnel Junction |date=28 September 1977 |last=King |first=A.G.B. |access-date=7 September 2010 }}</ref> The locomotive did not return to service.

== Withdrawal ==
Withdrawal of the class began in May 1973 with D1019 ''Western Challenger'' and D1032 ''Western Marksman'' becoming the first members of the class to be withdrawn. The final five engines in service were withdrawn in February 1977, these five engines would also survive into preservation with D1023 being donated to the [[National Collection]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.brdatabase.info/locoqry.php?action=class&type=D&id=42 |title=Loco database on Class 52's entry to service and withdrawal}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk/article.php/542/d1023-western-fusilier|title=D1023 - 'Western Fusilier' &#124; Didcot Railway Centre|website=didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk}}</ref>

{|class="wikitable" style=text-align:center
|+ Table of withdrawals
! Year !! Quantity in<br>service at<br>start of year !! Quantity<br>withdrawn !! Locomotive numbers !! Notes
|-
| 1973 || 74 || 11 || align=left | D1004/17-20/24/32/38-39/42/60 ||
|-
| 1974 || 63 || 11 || align=left | D1000/02/07-08/14/29/45/61-62/66/73 || D1062 Preserved
|-
| 1975 || 52 || 18 || align=left | D1003/06/11-12/16/25-27/31/34-35/44/46/50/52/59/64/69  ||
|-
| 1976 || 34 || 27 || align=left | D1001/05/09/15/21/28/30/33/36-37/40/43/47/49/51/53/54-57/63/65/67-68/70-72  || D1015 Preserved
|-
| 1977 || 7 || 7 || align=left | D1010/13/22-23/41/48/58 || D1010, D1013, D1023, D1041 & D1048 Preserved
|}

== Preservation ==
{{refimprove|section|date=August 2025|reason=Each preserved locomotive should have a supporting reference in the table}}
[[File:Kentsford - D1010 climbing towards Washford.JPG|thumb|right|D1010 on the [[West Somerset Railway]]]]
[[File:D1040-1062 Highley 21-05-2022.jpg|thumb|Class 52 D1062 disguised as D1040 ''Western Queen'' on the [[Severn Valley Railway]] in May 2022]]
Seven locomotives have survived into preservation at heritage railways, four Swindon-built and three Crewe-built. Two have run on the mainline in preservation with D1015 being passed to operate on the mainline since 2002.<ref>{{cite magazine |title= In the Golden Jubilee…a Western goes main line for first time since Silver Jubilee |magazine=[[The Railway Magazine]] |issue=1211 |date=March 2002 |page=30}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title= Return of the Western |magazine=[[Rail Magazine]] |issue=430 |date=6 March 2002 |pages=60–63}}</ref> D1062 made a brief appearance in 1980 during the [[Rainhill trials#Rocket 150|Rocket 150]] parade at Rainhill.{{cn|date=August 2025}}

D1022 ''Western Sentinel'' was a candidate for preservation and was planned to be purchased by the DTG (Diesel Traction Group), but it was scrapped. D1015 ''Western Champion'' was purchased for preservation.<ref>{{cite web |title=D1015 Western Champion Preservation History The 24 year Story of D1015's return to life |url=http://www.westernchampion.co.uk/loco-d1015-history-pres.php |website=Western Champion |publisher=Diesel Traction Group |access-date=27 October 2020}}</ref>

{{Clear}}
{|class="wikitable"
!align=left|Number
!Image
! align="left" |Name
!align=left|Builder
!align=left|Livery
!align=left|Home Base
!align=left|Status
!align=left|Notes
|-
|align=center|D1010
|[[File:Whiskey Crossing D1035 (D1010 renumbered) light engine.jpg|frameless]]
| align="center" |Western Campaigner
|[[Swindon Works]]
|BR Maroon with yellow bufferbeams
|[[West Somerset Railway]]
|Undergoing Repairs
|
|-
|align=center|D1013
|[[File:D1013 Western Ranger in Paddington.jpg|frameless]]
| align="center" |''Western Ranger''
|[[Swindon Works]]
|BR Blue with full yellow
|[[Severn Valley Railway]]
|Undergoing Overhaul
|Re-painted at Kidderminster August 2023
|-
|align=center|D1015
|[[File:D1015 Western Champion at Etches Park open day 01.JPG|frameless]]
| align="center" |''Western Champion''
|[[Swindon Works]]
|BR Blue with half yellow
|[[Severn Valley Railway]]
|Operational.
|Mainline Certified <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.westernchampion.co.uk/loco-d1015.php |title=Latest News |website=Diesel Traction Group |date=November 2018}}</ref>
|-
|align=center|D1023
|[[File:Hugh llewelyn D1023 (5588945035).jpg|frameless]]
| align="center" |''Western Fusilier''
|[[Swindon Works]]
|BR Blue with full yellow
|[[Didcot Railway Centre]]
|Static Display
|Five year loan from [[National Railway Museum]] commenced January 2023<ref>{{cite magazine |title=NRM Western joins Didcot's GWR line up |magazine=The Railway Magazine |issue=1464 |date=March 2023 |page=8}}</ref> 
|-
|align=center|D1041
|[[File:D1041 ‘Western Prince’.jpg|frameless]]
| align="center" |''Western Prince''
|[[Crewe Works]]
|BR Blue with full yellow
|[[East Lancashire Railway]]
|Undergoing Overhaul
|Having bodywork repairs undertaken plus a full rewire
|-
|align=center|D1048
|[[File:D1048 Western Lady Swanwick Junction.jpg|frameless]]
| align="center" |''Western Lady''
|[[Crewe Works]]
|BR Blue with full yellow
|[[Severn Valley Railway]]
|Under Restoration
|Gifted to the Western Locomotive Association October 2023<ref>{{cite web |url=https://westernlocomotives.com/and-then-there-were-three-d1048-gifted-to-wla/ |title=Then there were three! |website=Western Locomotive Association  |date=October 2023}}</ref>
|-
|align=center|D1062
|[[File:D1062 Kidderminster 1 Oct 22.jpg|frameless]]
| align="center" |''Western Courier''
|[[Crewe Works]]
|BR Blue with full yellow
|[[Severn Valley Railway]]
|Operational
|Re-painted at Kidderminster April 2017
|}

== Model railways ==
The first model of a Class 52 was produced by [[Trix (company)|Trix]] to its unusual compromise scale of 3.8mm to 1ft with [[OO gauge]]/[[HO gauge]] (16.5mm) track. This model, however, was quite crude.{{cn|date=August 2025}}

In 1979 [[Hornby Railways]] launched its first version of the BR Class 52 (type 4) Western in [[OO gauge]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hornbyguide.com/class_details.asp?classid=22|title=Hornby BR Class 52 (Type 4) Western |work=Hornby Railways Collector Guide|access-date=3 March 2020}}</ref>

[[Lima (models)|Lima]] also produced a model to [[OO gauge]].{{cn|date=August 2025}}

A [[British N gauge]] model was produced by [[Graham Farish]].{{cn|date=August 2025}}

Since then, [[OO gauge]] models have been produced by both [[Heljan]], and most recently [[Dapol]],<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Dapol's new 52|magazine=British Railway Modelling|pages=92|volume=20|issue=12|date=March 2013|location=Bourne|publisher=Warners Group Publications|issn=0968-0764|oclc=1135061879}}</ref> whilst an [[O gauge]] model has been produced by Heljan. Dapol have also produced a model in British N gauge. The Dapol models were produced from a [[3D scanning|3D scan]] of D1015 ''Western Champion'' at [[Tyseley Locomotive Works]] in February 2011.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Scanning Western Champion|first=Mike|last=Wild|magazine=Hornby Magazine|pages=28–29|issue=46|date=April 2011|location=Hersham|publisher=Ian Allan Publishing|issn=1753-2469|oclc=226087101}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[Krauss-Maffei ML 2200 C'C']], [[Renfe Class 340]], contemporary twin engined, twin transmission C'C' diesel hydraulic locomotives
*[[Voith Maxima]], modern (2000s) single engined, single transmission high power diesel hydraulic locomotive

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

=== Sources ===
*{{cite book  | last = Ford | first = H L | title = Diesels on Cornwall's main line | publisher = D Bradford Barton | year=  1973 | location = Truro }}
*{{cite book | last = Hall | first = Stanley | title = Railway Milestones and Millstones | publisher = Ian Allan Publishing | year=  2006 | location = Hersham | pages = 125–130 | isbn = 0-7110-3110-X }}
*{{cite book  | last = Kichenside | first = Geoffrey | title = Farewell to the Westerns | publisher = David & Charles | year=  1975 | location = Newton Abbot | isbn = 0-7153-7069-3 }}
*{{cite book  | last = Preedy | first = Norman E |author2=Gillham, G F| title = WR Diesel Hydraulics | publisher = D Bradford Barton | year=  1974 | location = Truro }}
*{{cite book |last=Reed |first=Brian |title=Diesel-Hydraulic Locomotives of the Western Region |year=1978 |orig-year=1975 |publisher=[[David & Charles]] |location=Newton Abbot |isbn=0-7153-6769-2 }}
*{{cite book  | last = Taylor | first = Ken | title = A Decade After | publisher = Midland Railfans | location = Walsall }}
*{{cite book  | last = Till | first = J O | title = Western Stock List | publisher = Steam & Diesel Publications | year=  1977 | location = Camberley }}
*{{cite book  | last = Watts | first = Peter | title = Western Memories | publisher = Peter Watts | year=  1977 | location = Gloucester | isbn = 0-906025-00-1 }}

==Further reading==
{{Commons category|British Rail Class 52}}
*{{cite book|title=The Class 52s: A Tribute to the Westerns|first=David|last=Birt|publisher=OPC|year=1988|isbn=9780860934240|oclc=315783582}}
*{{cite book|title=Western Glory|first=Chris|last=Chapman|publisher=Waterfront|year=2002|isbn=9780946184996|oclc=786126155}}
*{{cite book|title=Diesels in Depth: Westerns|first1=David|last1=Clarke|first2=John|last2=Jennison|publisher=Ian Allan|year=2007|isbn=9780711032507|oclc=159634206}}
*{{cite book|title=Fifty Years of the Westerns|first=David|last=Cross|publisher=Ian Allan|year=2012|isbn=9780711036581|oclc=794814820}}
*{{cite book|title=Western Liveries|first=Adrian|last=Curtis|publisher=A & C Services|year=2001|isbn=9780954021313|oclc=49299854}}
* {{Cite book |title=Westerns Vols 1/2/3 |last=Curtis |first=Adrian N.|publisher=Western Legacy Publications|year=2011–2012}}
* {{Cite book |title=Western Dawn |last=Curtis |first=Adrian N.|publisher=[[A&C Services]] |year=2002}}
* {{Cite book |title=Cast of Thousands |last=Curtis |first=Adrian N.|publisher=[[A&C Services]] |year=2000}}
* {{Cite book |title=Final Salute '77 |last=Curtis |first=Adrian N.|publisher=Western Legacy Publications|year=2012}}
* {{Cite book |title=Spirit of '76 |last=Curtis |first=Adrian N.|publisher=Western Legacy Publications|year=2012}}
* {{Cite book |title=Indian Summer '75 |last=Curtis |first=Adrian N.|publisher=Western Legacy Publications|year=2012}}
* {{Cite book |title=Tracks of my Years |last=Curtis |first=Adrian N.|publisher=Western Legacy Publications|year=2012}}
* {{Cite book |title=Teenage Lament '74 |last=Curtis |first=Adrian N.|publisher=Western Legacy Publications|year=2012}}
* {{Cite book |title=Western Power |last=Curtis |first=Adrian N.|publisher=Western Legacy Publications|year=2010–2012}}
* {{Cite book |title=Classic Diesels & Electrics |last=Curtis |first=Adrian N.|publisher=Western Legacy Publications|year=1996–2012}}
* {{Cite book |title=Diesel Hydraulics Illustrated |last=Curtis |first=Adrian N.|publisher=Western Legacy Publications|year=2010–2012}}
*{{cite book|title=Class 52 Westerns: The Twilight Years|first=Stephen|last=Dowle|publisher=Amberley Publishing|year=2015|isbn=9781445648989|oclc=919481086}}
*{{cite book|title=The Westerns: British Rail Class 52 Diesel Hydraulics|first1=H.L.|last1=Ford|first2=Norman E.|last2=Preedy|publisher=Bradford Barton|year=1976|isbn=9780851532738|oclc=2797567}}
*{{cite book|title=The Heyday of the Westerns|first=Derek|last=Huntriss|publisher=Ian Allan|year=2003|isbn=9780711029811|oclc=52530865}}
*{{cite book|title=British Rail Main Line Diesel Locomotives|first1=Colin J.|last1=Marsden|first2=Graham B.|last2=Fenn|pages=220–223|publisher=Haynes|location=Sparkford|year=1988|isbn=9780860933182|oclc=17916362}}
*{{cite book|title=Profile of the Westerns|first1=D.|last1=Nicholas|first2=S.|last2=Montgomery|publisher=Ian Allan|year=2005|isbn=9780860931164|oclc=10723140}}
*{{cite book|title=British Railway Diesel Memories: The Western Class 52s|first=Norman|last=Preedy|publisher=Book Law Publications|year=2015|isbn=9781909625457}}
*{{cite book|title=Book of the Westerns|first=Norman E.|last=Preedy|publisher=Peter Watts|year=1977|isbn=9780906025031|oclc=650233739}}
*{{cite magazine|title=Where 'Westerns' went|magazine=[[Rail (magazine)|Rail Enthusiast]]|publisher=EMAP National Publications|date=February–March 1982|page=54|issn=0262-561X|oclc=49957965}}
*{{cite magazine|title=Maybach music!|first=Peter|last=Kelly|pages=14–17|date=January 1983|magazine=[[Rail (magazine)|Rail Enthusiast]]|publisher=EMAP National Publications|issn=0262-561X|oclc=49957965}}
*{{cite magazine|title=Western Lady|page=21|date=November 1983|magazine=[[Rail (magazine)|Rail Enthusiast]]|publisher=EMAP National Publications|issn=0262-561X|oclc=49957965}}
*{{cite magazine|title=Western Champions|first1=Pip|last1=Dunn|first2=Chris|last2=Leigh|first3=Robert|last3=Forsythe|magazine=[[Model Rail]]|pages=18–23|issue=79|date=May 2005|page= |location=Peterborough|publisher=EMAP Active|issn=1369-5118|oclc=173324502}}
*{{cite magazine|title=The 'Western' diesel hydraulics|first=Evan|last=Green-Hughes|magazine=Hornby Magazine|pages=108–111|issue=69|date=March 2013|location=Hersham|publisher=Ian Allan Publishing|issn=1753-2469|oclc=226087101}}

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{{British Rail Locomotives}}
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[[Category:British Rail diesel locomotives|52]]
[[Category:C-C locomotives]]
[[Category:Diesel–hydraulic locomotives of Great Britain|52]]
[[Category:Railway locomotives introduced in 1961]]
[[Category:Standard-gauge locomotives of Great Britain]]
[[Category:C′C′ locomotives]]