British Rail class 42

For the mountainous routes in Devon and Cornwall, the Western Region decided to purchase lighter diesel-hydraulic locomotives. Since Germany was the leader in this area, the technology of the V 200 of the Bundesbahn was licensed and packed into the smaller loading gauge. The resulting D800 (later class 42 or “Warship class”) was built in Swindon and had two Maybach engines built at Bristol Siddeley, each mated to a Mekydro gearbox. At the same time, the Class 43 was developed at North British with MAN engines and Voith transmissions. Since those responsible had an aversion to diesel-hydraulic locomotives, both classes were retired by 1972.