In general the larger Sulzer engines did not meet the expectations of the North American market with the AT&SF & UP quick to sideline these locomotives as problems began to occur.

More details on USSR

A chronological listing of deliveries of Sulzer powered rail vehicles

1912
Prussia & Saxony Prussian Railways, 4LV38 1,000hp, one - 'Thermolokomotive'.

1914
Prussia & Saxony Saxony State Railways, 8cyl 200hp railcars, five # ??

1925
Switzerland SBB, 8LV21 250hp, one # 9901 railcar.

1926
Tunisia Chemin de Fer du Tunisiens, 8LV21 250hp, one # 2-2 DE 2.

1929
Argentina Talleleres Remedios de Escalada, 8LV28 592hp shunter, one # DH501
Argentina Buenos Aires Great Southern, railcar 6LV28 420hp, one # CM202
Switzerland Appenzellar Bahn, railcar, 6LV22 250hp, two # 25 & 55.

1930
Argentina Buenos Aires Great Southern, 2 x 8LV28 600hp mobile powerhouse, two # UE 1 & 2
Manchuria South Manchuria Rly, 8LV31 750hp, one #2000.
Switzerland SBB, 6cyl 420hp # 18601 luggage van.

1931
Argentina Port of Rosario, 6LV25 330hp shunter, three - # ??
Manchuria South Manchuria Rly, railcar 6LV22 250hp, two - #??
Thailand Royal State Railways of Siam, 8LV25 450hp, six # 501 - 506.

1932
United Kingdom Armstrong Whitworth/LNER, 6LV22 250hp railcar, three #??
United Kingdom Ribble Navigation, 6LV22 250hp, one # 'Duchess'
U.S.S.R. Russia State Rly, 2 x 8LV31 750hp each, one # E-EL-8

1933
Algeria Algerian Railways (CFA ex PLM), 8LV31 750hp, one # PLM 4-ADE-1.
Argentina Buenos Aires Great Southern 2 x 8LV34, 850hp mobile powerhouse, three # UE 3 -5.
Argentina Buenos Aires Great Southern 2 x 8LV34, 850hp locomotive, one # CM210.
Brazil CDF Santos, 4 car articulated train, 450hp
Ceylon Ceylon Government Railways, 880hp, two # ??, exported to Argentina.
France PLM Rly of France, 8cyl 600hp, one # 4BMD1.
France CF de Ceinture, 8LD28 800hp, one # D1.
Morrocco CDF Mediterranee au Niger, 8LV28 600hp, one - #??
United Kingdom Armstrong Whitworth, 8LD28 800hp, one #??
United Kingdom LMSR, 6LV22 250hp, one #7408

1934
Argentina Ferrocaril Oeste, 6LDA25 450hp rail-motor, one # ??

1935
Argentina Buenos Aires Provincial Railways, 6LTD19 270hp railcars, four M1 - M4
India North Western Railway, 2 x 8LD34 1,200hp each, two # 331/332.
Manchuria South Manchuria Rly, articulated four car train, 6LTD25 500hp, 4 #??
Switzerland Swiss Federal Railways, 6LF19 290hp railcar, two # 101 & 102
United Kingdom LMSR, 6LTD22 350hp, ten # 7059 - 7068 (delivered 1935 - 1936)

1936
India Bombay,Baroda & Central India Rly, 6LTD22 340hp, one # DE800.

1937
Algeria Comp. Phosphates de Constantine, 6LDA 735hp, two # 6-XADE-1 & 2, sold to CFT Tunisia in 1949.
Argentina Argentina State Rly, railcar, 6LF19 300hp, four - #??
Argentina Argentina State Rly, articulated railcar, 6LF19 600hp, two - #??
France PLM Rly of France, 2 x 12LDA31 1,900hp each, one # 262 BD 1.
Madagascar Chemin du Fer du Madagascar, 6LDA25 625hp, five # LD1 - 5 (delivered 1943 - 1946).
Roumania Caile Ferate Romine (CFR), 2 x 12LDA31 1,900hp, one # 241.001/002

1938
Argentina Buenos Aires Great Southern, 8LD28 880hp, two #CM204 & CM205 (?)
France PLM Rly of France, 6LDA25 635hp, three # 4-DMD-1 to 3.
Tunisia SNCFT, locomotive, 735hp, two - #??

1939
Algeria SNCFA, railcar, 2x6LTD19 600hp total, 1#??
Brazil Estrada de Ferro Santos a Jundial, articulated railcar 6LDA25 600hp, 2, #??
Cuba Ferrocarriles Occidentales de Cuba, re-engined railcar 2x6LTD19 580hp total, 1, #??
Senegal Chemin de Fer Dakar au Niger, 6LDA25 610hp, six # BB101 - BB106.
Switzerland Swiss Federal Railways, 8LDA28 1,200hp, two # 1001 & 1002

1940
Algeria Algerian Railways (CFA ex PLM), 2 x 6LDA25 600hp, repowering of 1933 loco # 232-ADE-1 during 1940/41.

1945
Thailand Royal State Railways of Siam, 6LDA25 735hp, four # ?? (delivered 1945 - 1946).

1947
Algeria Algerian Railways (CFA), 6LDA19 400 hp railcar, total of 16 delivered 1947 - 1951.
Mali Regie des CDF du Mali, 6LDA25 610hp, ten # BB107 - BB116 (delivered 1947 - 1951).

1949
Bolivia Patino Inc, FC Machacamarca - Uncia 6LDA28 730hp, two # 20 (deliv 1950) & 24 (deliv 1956).

1950
France SNCF, 6LDA22 510hp, 48 # 61001 - 61048 (delivered 1950 - 1953).
France Paris Metro RATP, 6LDA22 600hp, 1 # T101 (delivered 1950).
France Houilleres du Bassin de la Loire, 6LDA22 600hp, 1 # ?? (delivered 1950).
Ireland CIE, 6LDA28 915hp, two # 1100 - 1101.
Thailand Royal State Railways of Siam, 8LDA25 960hp, three # ?? (delivered 1950 - 1951).
Tunisia Sfax - Gafsa Rly, 6LDA25 610hp, seventeen # 201 - 217.

1951
Algeria Algerian Railways (CFA), 2x 6LDA25 850/665hp fourgon, five total
Argentina Argentina State Railways, 4 x 6LDA25 735hp each, 2 #??
Camerouns Chemin de Fer du Cameroun (CFC), 6LDA25 610hp, six # BB201 - 206 (delivered 1951 - 1952)
Madagascar Chemin du Fer du Madagascar, 6LDA25 625hp, seven # LD6 - 12.
Tunisia Chemin du Fer Tunisiens, 6LDA25 735hp, 33, #040DA01 - 033

1952
France USINOR, Denain, 6LDA22 570hp, three #??
Guinea Conakry Niger Railway, 6LDA25? 625hp, two # ??.
Madagascar Chemin du Fer du Madagascar, 6LDA25 675hp, two # LD11 - 12.

1953
Australia Commonwealth Railways, 6LDA28 955hp, fourteen # NSU 51 - 64 (delivered 1953 - 1954).
France SNCF, 6LDA22 600hp, 19 # 63001 - 63019.
France Electricite de France - Centrale Arrighi, 6LDA22 600hp, two # III? & IV .
France Sollac, 6LDA22 600hp, five # ?? (delivered 1953 - 1954).
Japan Japan National Railways, 8LDA25 1,000hp, six, DD501 - DD506
Spain RENFE, 6LDA22A 350hp, 202 # 10301-10400, 11301-11400, 12301-12302 (delivered 1953 - 1966).

1954
Algeria Algerian Railways (CFA), 8LDA25 960hp, ten # 060-YDA- 1 to 10.
Cuba Cuban National Railways, 6LDA22C 740hp, six #7501 - 7506.
France SNCF, 6LDA22 600hp, 19 # 63020 - 63038.
France Electricite de France - Nantes-Chevire, 6LDA22 600hp, one # ??
Japan Japan National Railways, 6LDA22 750hp, one, #??
Senegal Chemin de Fer du Senegal, 6LDA25 720hp, eight # BB221 - BB228.
Sierra Leone Sierra Leone Dev Co., 6LDA28 850hp, six # 100 - 104 (1954) & 105 (1960).
Spain RENFE, 6LDA22 600hp, 20 # 10501-10520.
Switzerland Sulzer Brothers, 6LD22 350hp, one, #??

1955
Cuba Cuban National Railways, 6LDA22C 740hp, six #??.
France SNCF, 6LDA22B 600hp, 40 # 63039 - 63078.
France SNCF, 12LDA28 2,000hp, 35 # 65501 - 65535 (delivered 1955 - 1959).
France Sollac, 6LDA22 600hp, 1 #??.
France SA de Wendel, Hayange, 6LDA22 600hp, two 301 & 302
France Mines de Potasse d'Alsace, 6LDA22 600hp, 3 # 040 DE 1 - 3
Germany Henschel & Son, 6LDA22 360hp, 1, #??
Switzerland Swiss Federal Railways, 2 x 6LDA25 850hp, four # 1501 - 1504.

1956
Ecuador ENFE 2 x 6LDA25 610hp, five # 151 - 155.
France SNCF, 6LDA22C 600hp, 30 # 63079 - 63108.
Ireland CIE, 6LDA28 960hp, twelve # B101 - B112
Morrocco CDF Mediterranee au Niger, 6LDA22 600hp, three - #??

1957
France Mines de Potasse d'Alsace, 6LDA22B 600hp, 3 # 040 DE 4 - 6
France SNCF, 6LDA22C/D/E 720hp, 86 # 63109 - 63195 (delivered 1957 - 1958).
France USINOR, 6LDA22B 600hp, two #220 & 221
Japan Japan National Railways, 8LDA25 1,200hp, 65 # DF50 01 - 65 (delivered 1957 - 1962).
Spain Aviles Steelworks, 6LDA22 600hp, ten # A1 - A10

1958
France CAFL Paris, 6LDA19 420hp, one #??
France Marine Homecourt, 6LDA19 420hp, one #??
United Kingdom British Railways, 6LDA28 1,160hp, 151 # 5000 - 5150 (delivered 1958 - 1961).
United Kingdom British Railways, 6LDA28 1,160hp, 47 # 5300 - 5346 (delivered 1958 - 1959).

1959
France Sollac, 6LDA22 600hp, 1 #??.
France Sollac, 6LDA22B 600hp, 1 #??.
Roumania Caile Ferate Romine (CFR), 12LDA28 2,100hp, 1,407 # 060 DA 001 - 1407 (delivered 1959 - 19xx).
United Kingdom British Railways, 12LDA28 2,300hp, 10 # 1 - 10 (delivered 1959 - 1960).
United Kingdom British Railways, 8LDA28 1,550hp, 98 # 6500 - 6597 (delivered 1959 - 1962).

1960
Switzerland Swiss Federal Railways, 2 x 6LDA25 850hp, ten # 1505 - 1514 (delivered 1960 - 1961).
United Kingdom British Railways, 12LDA28B 2,500hp, 183 # 11- 193 (delivered 1960 - 1963).

1961
France SNCF, 8LVA24 1,750hp, two # 66501/502.
France Mines de Potasse d'Alsace, 6LDA22E 800hp, 1 # 040 DE 7
United Kingdom British Railways, 6LDA28B 1,250hp, 25 #5151 - 5175 (delivered 1961 - 1962).
United Kingdom British Railways, 6LDA28B 1,250hp, 69 #5347 - 5415 (delivered 1961 - 1962).
United Kingdom BRCW, 12LDA28C 2,750hp, one # D0260.

1962
France SNCF, 6LDA22E 750hp, 55 # 63196 - 63250 (delivered 1962 - 1963).
Nyasaland Nyasaland & Trans Zambesian Rly, 6LDA28B 1,200hp, five # 200 - 204.
Peru Peruvian State Railways, 6LDA22E 510hp, two, #??
United Kingdom British Railways, 12LDA28C 2,750hp, 507 # 1100 - 1111, 1500 - 1701, 1707 - 1999 (delivered 1962 - 1967).

1963
France SNCF, 12LVA24 2,650hp, 81 # 68001 - 68081 (delivered 1963 - 1967).
Nyasaland Nyasaland & Trans Zambesian Rly, 6LDA28B 1,200hp, three # 205 - 207.
Spain RENFE, 6LDA22E 725hp, ten # 10701-10710.
United Kingdom British Railways, 6LDA28 1,250hp, 302 # 5176 - 5299, 7500 - 7677 (delivered 1963 - 1967).

1964
Nigeria Nigerian Railway Corp. 6LDA28C 1,400hp, 29 # 1401 - 1429.

1965
Australia Commonwealth Railways, 6LDA28B 1,400hp, thirteen # NT 65 - 77 (delivered 1965 - 1968).
Cuba Cuban National Railways, 12LVA24 2,534hp, ten #2501 - 2510.
Poland Polish Railways (PKP), 12LDA28 2,100hp, 422 # ST43-001 to 422.
United Kingdom British Railways, 12LVA24 2,650hp, five # 1702 - 1706.

1966
Bulgaria Bulgarian Railways (BDZ) 12LDA28 2,100hp, 130 # 06.001 - 06.130 (delivered 1966 - 1975).
Nigeria Nigerian Railway Corp. 6LDA28C 1,400hp, four # 1425 - 1428.
Roumania Caile Ferate Romine (CFR), 6LDA28B 1,250hp, 693 # 80, 81, 84, 88xxx series.
Spain RENFE, 6LDA22B 400hp, 63 # 10401-10463 (delivered 1966 - 1977).

1967
Nyasaland Nyasaland & Trans Zambesian Rly, 6LDA28B 1,200hp, seven # 208 - 214.
United Kingdom Hawker Siddeley, 16LVA24 4,000hp, one # HS4000.
Roumania Caile Ferate Romine (CFR), 6LDA28B 1,250hp, 633 # ?? (delivered 1967 - 1992).
Roumania Industrial, 6LDA28B 1,250hp, 476 # ?? (delivered 1967 - 1992).

1968
Malawi Malawi Railways, 6LDA28B 1,200hp, five # 405 - 409.

1969
Bulgaria Bulgarian Railways BDZ, 6LDA28B 1,250hp, 263 (delivered 1969 - 1992).

1971
China China Railways 12LDA28 2,100hp, 285 # ?? ND2 class (delivered 1971 - 1987).
China Industrial ?? 6LDA28B 1,250hp, 2 # ??

1972
Czechoslovakia Czech State Railways, 6LDA28B 1,250hp, 42 # ?? (delivered 1972 - 1983).

1974
United States of America Demonstrator, 6LDA28B 1,250hp, 1 # ??

1975
Roumania Caile Ferate Romine (CFR), 6LDA28B 1,250hp, 28 # 69xxx & 73xxx series.

1977
United States of America** Southern Pacific, 8ASL25/30 2,800hp, four # 7030 - 7033.
Poland Owner ??, 6LDSR28B 1,250hp, 2 # ??
Roumania Industrial, 6LDSR28B 1,250hp, 111 # ?? (delivered 1977 - 1987).

1979
United States of America** Morrison Knudsen, 6ASL25/30 1,500hp, one # 5001.
Iraq Owner ??, 6LDSR28B 1,250hp, 10 # ?? (delivered 1979 - 1982).
Roumania Caile Ferate Romine (CFR), 6LDSR28B 1,250hp, 28 # ?? (delivered 1979 - 1983).

1980
United States of America** ATSF, 16ASV25/30 3,600hp, four # 5496 - 5499.
United States of America** Union Pacific, 16ASV25/30 3,600hp, six # 60 - 65.
Mozambique CFM Mozambique, 6LDA28B 1,250hp, 32 # ?? (delivered 1980 - 1981).

1984
China China Railways 12LDA28 2,100hp, 88 # ?? ND3 class (delivered 1984 - 1990).
Iraq Owner ??, 6LDA28B 1,250hp, 3 # ??

1991
USSR Industrial 6LDA28B 1,250hp, 1 # ??

**The USA units were remanufactured using existing/withdrawn bodies, bogies and other components.

The following is a narrative describing (hopefully) the roots of the Sulzer engines in the UK that led to the introduction of the Class 24.

In February 1892 Diesel applied for his famous Patent that heralded the birth of the diesel engine, although at this time it was little more than ideas & hypotheses. Initially he received little support for development of his patent, in widening his search for interested parties he forwarded a copy of his book to Sulzer Brothers, also personally corresponding with their chief engineer, Wilhem Zublin. The response from Sulzer was lukewarm, even Sulzer's prinicipal advocate Johann Jakob Sulzer-Imhoof remained interested but cautious. They, like many others were interested in the scientific aspects but seemed wary of the commercial prospects for this new technology. However an agreement was signed in May 1893 with Diesel to allow Sulzer Brothers exclusive rights of Diesel's patents in Switzerland and to receive all discoveries from the research carried out by Diesel at Augsburg. Sulzer Brothers were one of ten licensees signed to Diesel's patents. Diesel's initial machine was completed in July 1893, but took a further seven months to reach an acceptable level of operation. J.J. Sulzer-Imhoof visited Augsburg several times, in November 1895 to see Diesel's original engine and then in February 1897 to witness successful demonstrations of a second engine. The thermal efficiency of this engine was greater than double that of current steam engines, a fact which led to Sulzer (and many of the other licencees) to build and test its own diesel engines. This resulted in the succesful running of their first engine during June 1898, a single cylinder four stroke engine developing 20bhp.

In 1898 a holding company, the Allgemeine Gesellschaft fur Dieselmotoren AG was established to handle all rights to Diesel's patents. All licencees provided the holding company with data obtained from research into this new technology. Many pitfalls were encountered and Sulzer Brothers were also encumbered with the 1893 agreement that seriously limited the markets open to them. A new, broader licensing agreement drawn up in 1903 provided them with the impetus to create a diesel engine department, a research area for the two & four stroke designs and a sales department. Winterthur's first order came in January 1903 for twelve 35hp single cylinder engines. The journey had begun. By 1906 twelve engine sizes were available, with outputs from 15 to 600 bhp.

Although the commercial success of the diesel engine was now assured, its chief creater, Rudolf Diesel suffered a series of financial set backs as well as falling into poor health. On September 29th 1913 Diesel and two colleagues boarded a steamer bound from Antwerp to Harwich. He was not seen alive again, a body carrying his identification was later found by a Dutch vessel, and in line with tradition at the time the remains were buried at sea.

Sulzer's use of worldwide licencees to build their engines was a remarkable pioneering business decision which over time proved to be the correct one considering the location of Winterthur. The first licencee in the UK was William Denny & Brothers of Dumbarton in February 1913, followed by Sir W G Armstrong Whitworth Co Ltd, Newcastle upon Tyne in March 1920.

The initial direction of Sulzer's new found diesel engine production was for stationary applications, the 'D' & 'K' models. However the fitting of the French canal barge 'Petit Pierre' late in 1903 with AB Diesels Motorer 25hp diesel engine saw the first successful marine application. Sulzer's first application 'at sea' was in a Leeds - Liverpool canal boat in 1905 with a two cylinder thirty horsepower 'D' series engine. The application was not a success, but as usual the experience was priceless. And so it would be through to the end of the 20th Century, when their 12RTA96C, at the time the world's most powerful diesel, and delivering just under 90,000hp entered service in some P&O vessels.

For the railway application Sulzer built rail traction engines between 1912 & 1992. Their first attempt, like the English canal boat was not a success. The 1912 built 'Thermo-Lokomotive' containing a four cylinder two stroke 1,000hp diesel engine (a 4LV38) was a failure, the unusual starting procedure and the direct transmission proving to be major weakness in the design. Two years later five railcars for the Prussian & Saxony railways proved to be the better starting point for rail traction, fitted with faster running four stroke engines (6LV26's) and coupled to an electric transmission.

In the United Kingdom the firm of Armstrong Whitworth of Scotswood, Newcastle established a diesel traction department in 1930/31, employing use of the Sulzer line of engines. Three Sulzer powered 250bhp LNER railcars were manufactured in 1932 for the Tyneside area. In 1934, the LMS ordered a diesel electric shunting locomotive (7408, later 7058) powered by a six cylinder Sulzer engine (6LV22), with electrical components from Lawrence Scott and Electromotors of Norwich. This was based on an earlier 1932 built machine destined for industrial service and which would outlive the LMS shunter. It trialled at Willesden and Crewe, and clearly showed its superiority over the diesel mechanical types. The advent of WW2 saw it borrowed by the War Department between 1941 - 1943, returning afterwards to Willesden. Its final years were spent at Toton, being allocated BR number 13000, but never carried as its service ended in November 1949, being scrapped two months later at Derby Works.

By 1935 an order for twenty shunters, based loosely on 7058 and 7079 (the E.E. variant) was issued by the LMS. Ten were delivered by Armstrong Whitworth late in 1936, numbered 7059 - 7068, using the same Sulzer engine as 7058, a 6LTD22 model, now rated at 400hp. This increase was achieved by lightening the components and increasing the rpm from 775 to 875. The main generator and traction motor being supplied by Crompton Parkinson. The jackshaft drive was continued over from 7058, but the main fuel tank was now placed between the cab and the engine compartment. All entered service in 1936 split between Crewe South and Kingmoor. Starting in 1940 they were all requisitioned by the War Department, seeing service in France, Belgium, Holland and Egypt. Four were eventually purchased by the Belgian Railways, the last not being retired until January 1966. Two were sold to the Egyptian State Railways in the early 1950's, remaining in service until 1974. Two suffered mechanical problems and saw no service after the war's end whilst the remaining two saw much use by the War Department in the UK before being sold to private buyers. Prior to World War Two Armstrong Whitworth closed down its diesel traction department.

The 'LD' series engines first appeared in the British Isles in mainline Sulzer powered locomotives built in 1951 at Inchicore for the CIE. They were 80ton Bo-Bo's of 915hp (later 960hp), numbered 1100/1 powered by a 6LDA28 engine at 750rpm, with Metropolitan Vickers electrical equipment. During 1954/55 BRCW, Sulzer and Crompton Parkinson produced twenty machines for Commonwealth Railways (14) and the Sierra Leone Development Corp. (6), using the 6LDA28 of 900/1000hp. During 1956/7 the CIE ordered 12 A1A A1A machines, again Metropolitan Vickers supplied the electrical equipment, but assembly was by BRCW. With this last order however the diesel engines were constructed at Vickers Armstrong's plant at Barrow in Furness, rather than at Sulzer's Winterthur plant. By the time of the first BR/Sulzer Type 2 order Sulzer were firmly established with a product that could be bought 'of the shelf'. With a British Transport Commission requirement mandating orders to go to English firms, the Sulzer engines were built under license by Vickers Armstrong at Barrow, who at that time were enlarging their workshops to handle a production run of about 1,450 power units. During the height of production 12 - 15 engines were turned out each month. This number included about sixty spare power plants. To allow Vickers Armstrong time to tool up Sulzer supplied the first ten 6LDA28A engines from their plant at Winterthur.

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