Rolls-Royce C range engines
Encyclopedia
The Rolls-Royce C6SFL and its variants were a series of diesel engine
s used in small railway locomotive
s, construction vehicles and similar applications. They were manufactured by Rolls-Royce
, initially at Derby
and later at Shrewsbury
, through the 1950s to 1970s.
The engine family was officially termed the C range, although it was best known for the most common C6SFL six-cylinder variant. Most had an output of around 200 bhp, with 233 bhp for the final models. Their construction was a conventional water-cooled vertical inline 6 four-stroke diesel engine
of 12.17 litre. Most were supercharged by a Roots blower
, but there were also variants with a turbocharger
or normally aspirated.
Torque: 600 lb.ft at 1,300 rpm
exhaust and inlet valves. Seven bearings with cross-bolted
caps supported the nitrided crankshaft. The fuel injection system was direct, into a toroidal combustion chamber
within the aluminium pistons. Supercharging was by a Roots blower
driven at twice crankshaft speed, for a boost pressure of 8 psi.
An unusual feature was the ability to build the engines with the flywheel and output drive arranged at either end. The supercharger, fuel injection pump, and other auxiliaries also changed sides. Although the crankshaft always rotated the same way within the block, this was the equivalent of offering left and right-handed rotation engines (the C6SFR variant).
For a diesel at its introduction date of 1951, the engine operated at relatively high speed, up to 1,800 rpm. This was assisted by a viscous torsion damper at the opposite end to the flywheel. High rotational speed made the engine an attractive choice in the developing market for small diesel-hydraulic locomotives.
, a builder of steam wagon
s and small steam locomotive
s. Production of the C6 was relocated from Derby. Although Rolls-Royce had only intended to build prime mover
s, i.e. engines here, by the end of 1957 they had decided to continue with Sentinel's previously successful market for small shunting locomotives. This was initially the LB class, 0-4-0 with a typically Sentinel final chain drive
, of 1959-1971.
In the 1980s, the Shrewsbury diesel engine plant was acquired by Perkins.
The C8SFL was a lengthened 8-cylinder variant, giving approximately 300 bhp.
A C6SFLM (marinised) was also produced.
Diesel engine
A diesel engine is an internal combustion engine that uses the heat of compression to initiate ignition to burn the fuel, which is injected into the combustion chamber...
s used in small railway locomotive
Diesel locomotive
A diesel locomotive is a type of railroad locomotive in which the prime mover is a diesel engine, a reciprocating engine operating on the Diesel cycle as invented by Dr. Rudolf Diesel...
s, construction vehicles and similar applications. They were manufactured by Rolls-Royce
Rolls-Royce Limited
Rolls-Royce Limited was a renowned British car and, from 1914 on, aero-engine manufacturing company founded by Charles Stewart Rolls and Henry Royce on 15 March 1906 as the result of a partnership formed in 1904....
, initially at Derby
Derby
Derby , is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands region of England. It lies upon the banks of the River Derwent and is located in the south of the ceremonial county of Derbyshire. In the 2001 census, the population of the city was 233,700, whilst that of the Derby Urban Area was 229,407...
and later at Shrewsbury
Shrewsbury
Shrewsbury is the county town of Shropshire, in the West Midlands region of England. Lying on the River Severn, it is a civil parish home to some 70,000 inhabitants, and is the primary settlement and headquarters of Shropshire Council...
, through the 1950s to 1970s.
The engine family was officially termed the C range, although it was best known for the most common C6SFL six-cylinder variant. Most had an output of around 200 bhp, with 233 bhp for the final models. Their construction was a conventional water-cooled vertical inline 6 four-stroke diesel engine
Diesel engine
A diesel engine is an internal combustion engine that uses the heat of compression to initiate ignition to burn the fuel, which is injected into the combustion chamber...
of 12.17 litre. Most were supercharged by a Roots blower
Roots type supercharger
The Roots type supercharger or Roots blower is a positive displacement lobe pump which operates by pumping fluids with a pair of meshing lobes not unlike a set of stretched gears. Fluid is trapped in pockets surrounding the lobes and carried from the intake side to the exhaust...
, but there were also variants with a turbocharger
Turbocharger
A turbocharger, or turbo , from the Greek "τύρβη" is a centrifugal compressor powered by a turbine that is driven by an engine's exhaust gases. Its benefit lies with the compressor increasing the mass of air entering the engine , thereby resulting in greater performance...
or normally aspirated.
Dimensions
Construction
The engine was constructed around a monobloc cylinder and crankcase casting. Unusually, this was available in either cast iron or aluminium alloy. The cylinders were replaceable wet liners, with pumped water cooling. Valves were single OHVOverhead valve
An overhead valve engine, also informally called pushrod engine or I-head engine, is a type of piston engine that places the camshaft within the cylinder block , and uses pushrods or rods to actuate rocker arms above the cylinder...
exhaust and inlet valves. Seven bearings with cross-bolted
Cross-bolted bearing
A cross-bolted bearing is a bearing, usually a crankshaft main bearing of a piston engine. Most bearing caps are retained by two bolts, one on each side of the bearing journal, and parallel to the cylinder axis. A cross-bolted bearing has one or more additional bolts, at right-angles to both the...
caps supported the nitrided crankshaft. The fuel injection system was direct, into a toroidal combustion chamber
Combustion chamber
A combustion chamber is the part of an engine in which fuel is burned.-Internal combustion engine:The hot gases produced by the combustion occupy a far greater volume than the original fuel, thus creating an increase in pressure within the limited volume of the chamber...
within the aluminium pistons. Supercharging was by a Roots blower
Roots type supercharger
The Roots type supercharger or Roots blower is a positive displacement lobe pump which operates by pumping fluids with a pair of meshing lobes not unlike a set of stretched gears. Fluid is trapped in pockets surrounding the lobes and carried from the intake side to the exhaust...
driven at twice crankshaft speed, for a boost pressure of 8 psi.
An unusual feature was the ability to build the engines with the flywheel and output drive arranged at either end. The supercharger, fuel injection pump, and other auxiliaries also changed sides. Although the crankshaft always rotated the same way within the block, this was the equivalent of offering left and right-handed rotation engines (the C6SFR variant).
For a diesel at its introduction date of 1951, the engine operated at relatively high speed, up to 1,800 rpm. This was assisted by a viscous torsion damper at the opposite end to the flywheel. High rotational speed made the engine an attractive choice in the developing market for small diesel-hydraulic locomotives.
Rolls-Royce Sentinel
In 1957, Rolls-Royce acquired the Sentinel company of ShrewsburyShrewsbury
Shrewsbury is the county town of Shropshire, in the West Midlands region of England. Lying on the River Severn, it is a civil parish home to some 70,000 inhabitants, and is the primary settlement and headquarters of Shropshire Council...
, a builder of steam wagon
Steam wagon
A steam wagon is a steam-powered road vehicle for carrying freight. It was the earliest form of lorry and came in two basic forms: overtype and undertype – the distinction being the position of the engine relative to the boiler...
s and small steam locomotive
Steam locomotive
A steam locomotive is a railway locomotive that produces its power through a steam engine. These locomotives are fueled by burning some combustible material, usually coal, wood or oil, to produce steam in a boiler, which drives the steam engine...
s. Production of the C6 was relocated from Derby. Although Rolls-Royce had only intended to build prime mover
Prime mover (locomotive)
In engineering, a prime mover is an engine that converts fuel to useful work. In locomotives, the prime mover is thus the source of power for its propulsion. The term is generally used when discussing any locomotive powered by an internal combustion engine...
s, i.e. engines here, by the end of 1957 they had decided to continue with Sentinel's previously successful market for small shunting locomotives. This was initially the LB class, 0-4-0 with a typically Sentinel final chain drive
Chain drive
Chain drive is a way of transmitting mechanical power from one place to another. It is often used to convey power to the wheels of a vehicle, particularly bicycles and motorcycles...
, of 1959-1971.
In the 1980s, the Shrewsbury diesel engine plant was acquired by Perkins.
Variants
C6SFL (supercharged by Roots blower), C6TFL (turbocharged), C6NFL (naturally aspirated), C6NFR (reverse rotation)The C8SFL was a lengthened 8-cylinder variant, giving approximately 300 bhp.
A C6SFLM (marinised) was also produced.
Railway
This range of engines was used in a range of small shunting locomotives, sometimes in pairs for powers up to 600 bhp..- Rolls-Royce Sentinel
- British Railways Janus, built by the Yorkshire Engine CompanyYorkshire Engine CompanyThe Yorkshire Engine Company was a small independent locomotive manufacturer in Sheffield, England. The Company was formed in 1865 and continued to produce locomotives and carry out general engineering work until 1965...
- New Zealand RailwaysNew Zealand Railways DepartmentThe New Zealand Railways Department, NZR or NZGR and often known as the "Railways", was a government department charged with owning and maintaining New Zealand's railway infrastructure and operating the railway system. The Department was created in 1880 and was reformed in 1981 into the New...
DSC classNZR DSC classThe NZR DSC class is a heavy shunting locomotive used throughout New Zealand. The class was built in seven batches, the first 18 locomotives being built by British Thomson-Houston of the United Kingdom, with the remainder being built by New Zealand Railways.... - Norwegian State Railways Skd 220 (1963–1973), Class 86NSB Class 86NSB Class 86 is a class of diesel-hydraulic multiple units built by Strømmens Værksted for the Norwegian State Railways . Thirty-eight motor cars and thirty-one trailers were built between 1937 and 1954, split between six subtypes designated a through f. Class 91 was a further delivery of ten...
and 91 (multiple units, retrofitRetrofitRetrofitting refers to the addition of new technology or features to older systems.* power plant retrofit, improving power plant efficiency / increasing output / reducing emissions...
ted)
Marine
- Thornycroft 43ft Range Safety Launch
- A pair of C6SFLM (marinised) were used for a speed of 20 knots.
Construction vehicles
- Vickers-Armstrongs VR.180 'Vigor' crawler tractorTracked vehicleA tracked vehicle is a vehicle that runs on continuous tracks instead of wheels...
- Thornycroft Antar Mk3Thornycroft AntarThe Mighty Antar was a heavy-duty tractor unit built by Thornycroft from the 1940s onwards. For some decades it was the standard tank transporter of the British Army and was also used by other nations.- History :- Origins :...
heavy tractor unit and tank transporterTank transporterA tank transporter is a specialized road vehicle for the transport of tanks, to and from the battlefield or during peacetime. They are necessary to limit the mileage of the tracked vehicles and also to reduce wear on road surfaces which can easily be damaged by such heavy vehicles...
.
- Thornycroft Antar Mk3