Type 1 Diesels

We currently have four Type 1 diesels in our fleet and we use these for both shunting as well as for main line working. All are fitted with sound and have been weathered subsequent to purchase.

CLASS 15 DIESEL-ELECTRIC BTH/CLAYTON - D8239

This is the Heljan Class 15, Catalogue Nº 1508, which we have had fitted with Howes sound files. It is a very popular loco on our layout and is used for both shunting purposes as well as the occasional freight working. It is seldom seen hauling passenger trains but is frequently used on ECS workings.

Only 44 of the prototype locos were produced; they were designed by British Thomson-Houston and built by the Yorkshire Engine Company and the Clayton Equipment Company between 1957 and 1961. 

They were numbered D8200 - D8243 and, although they definitely had their problems, they were more successful than the contemporary Class 16 and Class 17 Type 1 locomotives.

Only one Class 15 has been preserved, D8233, and she is currently undergoing restoration work by the Class 15 Preservation Society - www.d8233.org.uk.

Happily for us, unlike the prototypes, our model is a reliable and popular little runner.

CLASS 17 DIESEL-ELECTRIC CLAYTON - D8568 'RIBBLE CEMENT'

Our Heljan Class 17 (or Clayton Type 1) is a model of the only one of these locos to be preserved. It is here seen in it's Ribble Cement (now Castle Cement) livery wherein it was used by the company to shunt heavy trains at Clitheroe. 
In 1983 it was purchased from them by the Diesel Traction Group for the princely sum of £1,000. Since then it has spent most of its time at Chinnor where it has undergone an overhaul and repaint. Indeed, since the DTG carried out preventive maintenance on the loco, it has greatly improved its reliability and it is a great shame that BR did not try and do something similar, instead of withdrawing all 117 of the locos as hastily as they did.

Our model is another good performer and is used for shunting coal wagons up the Tipper Branch as well as other assorted freight duties. She is also, occasionally, to be seen hauling local passenger trains.

Once again she has been fitted with Howes sound files and we love her two-tone horn, which is really rather mournful!

CLASS 20 DIESEL-ELECTRIC TYPE 1 - D8158

This is the first of two Class 20 Type 1 locomotives that we have in our fleet and she can be seen performing all manner of duties on the layout, from shunting and ECS work to hauling various goods trains and some local passenger services, both on the main line and up the branch.

This Class 20 is by Bachmann, Catalogue Nº 32-033DS, and she still has the factory-fitted sound files, which are much better than Bachmann's previous attempt (see below) and she has also been weathered since we acquired her.

As for the prototype 8158, she came into service in September 1966 and was renumbered 20158 under the TOPS scheme. Sadly she was withdrawn in May 1989 and cut up in March 1991.

CLASS 20 DIESEL-ELECTRIC TYPE 1 - 20034

The second Class 20 that we have is also by Bachmann, Catalogue Nº 32-035DS, and she was actually acquired before 8158. As with her sister, she also came with factory-fitted sound but, as I alluded above, this initial attempt by Bachmann at the Class 20 sound files was pretty poor so she was soon sent to Howes to be reblown and, I must admit, she sounds very good indeed. 

As with her green stablemate she has been weathered since purchase and is similarly called upon to perform a wide variety of duties, all of which both locos perform with great aplomb.

With regards to the prototype 20034, she began life as D8034 and came into service in March 1960. She was, though, withdrawn after 8158, in October 1990 and was cut up in July 1991.

228 of these highly successful and reliable Type 1 locomotives were produced and many were either preserved or went into private ownership.