Christmas has come early for the WLA – but it’ll take a while for it to be delivered...!

Some good news for the future of the WLA where our engines are concerned… we’ve just bought two MTU 538 V12 engines – the more modern successor to the Maybach MD655!

The 538 engines purchased are a marine version of the MD655 but more durable and better quality all round and so much more likely to last a lot longer. However, the WLA will only make use of the engine from the heads of the block down, in effect converting the engine to an MD655 specification with replacement cams boxes, intercoolers and turbo charger – thereby keeping the same power output and of course, that Maybach sound!

The engines have been purchased from Narayan Marine Tech Pvt Ltd in India, prepared and ready for shipping before Christmas but of course, it’ll take a while for the engines to reach us at Kidderminster TMD (probably in the New Year), where they will be placed into store.

You may be aware that we already have a 538 engine in store, ready to be converted for “A” end of D1013 plus these two 538’s to add to our collection, which will ultimately end up in our locomotives keeping the Maybach music alive for many more years to come….!

With best wishes for Christmas and the New Year – let’s hope we make it a Whizzo one!