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Sulzer powered, max. speed 75 mph. Contemporary and Heritage-Preserved, Diesel, Diesel-Electric and Electric Locomotives My Archive Steam Photos from the 1960s [Author & photographer © Dr Phil Brown PhD (plus text help from AI these days), page updated May 6th 2026]The British Railways Class 24 diesel locomotives, also known as the Sulzer Type 2, were built from 1958 to 1961. 151 Class 24 diesel locomotives were built at Derby, Crewe and Darlington works. The first twenty of the Class 24 locomotives were part of the British Railways 1955 Modernisation Plan. The Class 24 design was the basis of developing the Class 25 diesel locomotives. The final survivor, no. 24081, was withdrawn from Crewe depot in 1980. Their main power is the Sulzer 6LDA28 diesel engine.
A history of Class 24 diesel electric locomotives
Class 24 Bo-Bo diesel locomotive D5054 Phil Southern travelling light south through Quorn and Woodhouse station, Great Central Railway heritage weekend 'Railways at Work' (GCR August 2023). Class 24 BR diesel locomotive D5054 became Class 24 No. 24054.
Picture of a Sulzer diesel engine that powers a Class 24 diesel locomotive.
Class 24 Bo-Bo diesel locomotive D5054 PHIL SOUTHERN with a demonstration freight train at Quorn and Woodhouse station, Great Central Railway heritage weekend 'Railways at Work' (GCR August 2023)
Portrait of Class 24 Bo-Bo diesel locomotive D5054 PHIL SOUTHERN with a demonstration freight train in the goods yard of Quorn and Woodhouse station, Great Central Railway heritage weekend 'Railways at Work' (GCR August 2023)
Class 24 Bo-Bo diesel locomotive D5054 with a demonstration freight train passing south through Quorn and Woodhouse station, Great Central Railway heritage weekend 'Railways at Work' (GCR August 2023)
NYMR Diesel Gala 2011: Class 24 Bo-Bo D5061 was built at Crewe Locomotive Works in 1960, so is now over 50 years old! (D 5061, 24061, 24 061, RDB 968007, 97201). D5061 is now named EXPERIMENT. Class 24 BR diesel locomotive D5061 became Class 24 No. 24061 before retirement.
Class 24 diesel locomotive D5061 has been named Ian Johnson, a volunteer on the NYMR who sadly died whilst working on the railway.
Class 24 D5061 demonstrating shunting duties at Levisham.
Class 24 D5061 leaving Grosmont with the scenic coach train to Pickering.
Class 24 D5061, built at Crewe Works in 1959, parked in sidings south of Grosmont sheds (other numbers 24 061, 24061, D 5061, RDB 968007-97201).
Class 24 D5061 approaches Goathland with a train from Pickering.
NYMR Diesel Gala 2011: Class 24 D5061 arrives in Pickering with a train from Grosmont.
NYMR Diesel Gala 2011: Class 25 D7628 stands next to Class 24 D5061 at Grosmont station.
Class 24 D5061 leaving Pickering heading north a mile from the station A history of Class 24 diesel-electric locomotives The Class 24 diesel‑electric locomotives—originally the Sulzer Type 2—were a fleet of 151 Bo‑Bo Type 2 locomotives built between 1958 and 1961 at Derby, Crewe, and Darlington Works, forming one of the earliest and most influential diesel classes of the BR Modernisation Plan. Origins and Development of Class 24 diesel-electric locomotives (1955–1961)The Class 24s were conceived under the 1955 Modernisation Plan, which sought to replace steam with standardised diesel types. The first 20 locomotives (D5000–D5019) were part of the pilot scheme to test diesel traction in everyday service. Between 1958 and 1961, BR built 151 locomotives, numbered D5000–D5150, later renumbered 24001–24141 under TOPS. They served as the direct precursor to the more numerous and refined Class 25, sharing many components and design principles. Technical Characteristics of Class 24 diesel-electric locomotivesThe Class 24 was designed around off‑the‑shelf components, reducing cost and complexity. Key features include:
Two main subclasses existed:
Operational Service of Class 24 diesel-electric locomotivesClass 24s were widely deployed across:
They handled:
Their gangwayed cab ends—intended for multiple working with coaching stock—were rarely used and later plated over. Modifications and later life of Class 24 diesel-electric locomotivesAs steam‑heated passenger work declined, many Class 24/1s had their boilers removed, reducing weight and simplifying maintenance. Some locomotives (e.g., D5102–D5111) had boilers removed to install extra air compressors for Consett iron‑ore trains. Withdrawal of Class 24 diesel-electric locomotives (1967–1980)Withdrawals began in 1967,
accelerating through the 1970s as more powerful and reliable locomotives
(notably Class 25s and 31s) took over. Preservation of Class 24 diesel-electric locomotivesOnly four Class 24s survive today, all preserved and restored to pre‑TOPS numbers. They are historically significant as:
⭐ Why the Class 24 diesel-electric locomotives matter
docspics images of Class 24 diesel locomotive rail tour holidays photos of Class 24 diesel locomotive rail tour holidays photographs of Class 24 diesel locomotive rail tour holidays pictures of Class 24 diesel locomotive rail tour holidays © Dr Phil Brown * Treyn Railway Holidays to France, Italy and Spain from Class 24 diesel locomotive rail tour holidays Booking tickets for Great Railway Journey luxury Rail Trip holidays Train travel in Europe Rail holidays from Class 24 diesel locomotive rail tour holidays to the USA & Canada luxury train through the Rocky Mountain Canadian rail railway holidays through the Rockies US Cities by train from Class 24 diesel locomotive rail tour holidays Continental rail holidays to France Germany Italy Austria Switzerland Glacier Express Treyn Holidays from Class 24 diesel locomotive rail tour holidays from Eurostar to Paris Brussels Avignon Turin Turino Rome Roma Florence Firenze TGV fast trains Railway travel holidays special steam excursions from Class 24 diesel locomotive rail tour holidays great steam heritage line and offers luxury Pullman coach dining trains Class 24 diesel locomotive rail tour holidays Travelling by train always seems a pleasure, especially if through wonderful scenery to Class 24 diesel locomotive rail tour holidays in England, Scotland, Wales or on holiday in the rest of Europe! The railway trip from Class 24 diesel locomotive rail tour holidays involves seeing or travelling behind a 'real' steam locomotive in action and there is nothing like the sight and sounds of a steam train to invoke feelings of nostalgia in some of us to Class 24 diesel locomotive rail tour holidays even more luxury by having a special trip out on a steam dining train! 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The railway trip involves seeing or travelling behind a 'real' steam locomotive or heritage diesel in action on a special trip from Class 24 diesel locomotive rail tour holidays Booking Eurostar Continental Rail Travel Tour Tickets Stuttgart Brussels Eurostar Brussels from Class 24 diesel locomotive rail tour holidays by TGV to Ebbsfleet International, Ashford International Stratford International, St Pancras International Paris Gare du Nord Paris Gare de Lyon Paris Gare de L'est Paris Gare Montparnasse by Eurostar from Class 24 diesel locomotive rail tour holidays London to Paris, Eurostar London - Brussels Eurostar London to Lille deals bargain city breaks Class 24 diesel locomotive rail tour holidays Great Railway Journey holidays in Italy, Spain and France by TGV booking from Class 24 diesel locomotive rail tour holidays Booking Eurostar Continental Rail Travel Tour Tickets to the Continent eg Paris Brussels Avignon or railway tours across France, Holland, Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Russia, Asia or China for a travel spectacular Class 24 diesel locomotive rail tour holidays Good trainspotting 'TRAINSPOTS' Good trainspotting and photographic locations Barnetby Station, North Lincolnshire * Carlisle Station * Clapham Junction Station, London * Colton Junction, south of York * Coventry * Crewe Station * Doncaster Station, South Yorkshire * Grantham * Hellifield station - Carlisle to Settle line * Lancaster station * Leicester station * Newcastle Station * Northallerton Station * Nuneaton Station * Peterborough * Sheffield Station * Stratford Station, East London * Tamworth * Warrington Bank Quay station * Wigan North Western - WCML * York Station See other TOPS classes * Class 01 * Class 02 * Class 03 * Class 04 * Class 08 * Class 09 * Class 10 * Class 11 * Class 14 * Class 20 * Class 24 * Class 25 * Class 26 * Class 27 * Class 31 * Class 33 * Class 35 * Class 37 * Class 40 * Class 43 * Class 44 * Class 45 * Class 47 * Class 50 * Class 52 * Class 55 * Class 56 * Class 57 * Class 58 * Class 60 * Class 66 * Class 67 * Class 68 * Class 70 * Class 71 * Class 73 * Class 76 * Class 77 * Class 84 * Class 86 * Class 87 * Class 88 * Class 90 * Class 91 * Class 92 * Derby Lightweight * Class 101 * Class 108 * Class 114 * Class 117 * Class 120 * Class 121 * Class 122 * Class 127 * Class 141 * Class 142 * Class 144 * Class 150 * Class 153 * Class 155 * Class 156 * Class 158 * Class 159 * Class 165 * Class 166 * Class 170 * Class 172 * Class 175 * Class 180 * Class 185 * Class 195 * Class 196 * Class 197 * Class 220 * Class 221 * Class 222 * Class 252 * Class 313 * Class 315 * Class 317 * Class 319 * Class 320 * Class 321 * Class 322 * Class 323 * Class 325 * Class 331 * Class 332 * Class 333 * Class 334 * Class 350 * Class 357 * Class 360 * Class 365 * Class 373 * Class 375 * Class 376 * Class 377 * Class 378 * Class 379 * Class 380 * Class 387 * Class 390 * Class 395 * Class 414 * Class 423 * Class 442 * Class 444 * Class 450 * Class 455 * Class 458 * Class 460 * Class 465 * Class 466 * Class 489 * Class 507/508 * Class 700 * Class 730 * Class 755 * Class 800 * Class 801 * Class 802 * Class 803 * Class 805 * Class 3000 * INDEX of My IMAGES OF PRESERVED STEAM LOCOMOTIVES |
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