G T 3 The Unrealised Dream - Tim Hillier-Graves

During the 1930s, with the end of steam locomotion being actively considered, many looked to develop engines powered by diesel and electricity. But for the coming of war in 1939, and the acute recession that followed, much more might have been accomplished. Nevertheless, the die had been cast and during the late 1940s and 1950s designers stepped up their efforts to find efficient and effective alternatives to steam. Amongst their number was John Hughes who, whilst working for English Electric designing turbine engines, saw how this power source might be used to drive locomotives. In part he was encouraged in these endeavours by William Stanier’s 1935 introduced Pacific ‘Turbomotive’ and wished to continue this experiment and exploit its potential more fully. For some the development of diesel and electric engines was the only logical course to take, but not Hughes who doggedly pursued his dream of seeing gas turbine engines dominating Britain’s railway network. Despite many setbacks, and lack of funds, he refused to give up and eventually saw his locomotive, GT3, built and then begin a prolonged period of trial running. But having finally achieved this ambition, the powers that be decided that the experiment had gone far enough and would go no further, much to Hughes’ anger and frustration. This is a ‘what might have been story’ which, although ultimately unsuccessful, tells us much about the nature of design engineering and
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