Clayton Type 1 Bo-Bo Diesel-Electric Locomotives - British Railways Class 17: Development, Design and Demise

The Claytons were a successful attempt to improve driver visibility, but the untested high-speed, flat Paxman engines were problematic. They were withdrawn from BR service in 1971 due to deteriorating traffic levels. Archive material has been unearthed to explore the issues surrounding the rise and fall of the locomotives, including individual locomotive record cards and personal sighting information. Over 280 photographs and diagrams have been assembled to provide new insights into this troubled class for historians and modellers.

\n Format: Hardback
\n Length: 376 pages
\n Publication date: 01 June 2021
\n Publisher: Pen & Sword Books Ltd
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The Claytons, initially envisioned as the British Railways standard Type 1 diesel-electric locomotive, were intended to replace other Type 1 classes delivered as part of the Pilot Scheme fleet. However, the early classes faced issues with poor driver visibility, leading to a plan in 1962 to introduce center-cab machines with low bonnets to enhance visibility for subsequent trip-freight and local yard shunting locomotives. While the Claytons achieved great success and popularity among operating crews, the untested high-speed, flat Paxman engines proved to be highly problematic, resulting in deliveries being curtailed after 117 locomotives.

To address further requirements for Type 1 locomotives after 1965, the decision was made to revert to one of the original Pilot designs. Deteriorating traffic levels ultimately led to the Claytons being withdrawn from BR service by December 1971.

A significant amount of archive material has been unearthed, allowing for a comprehensive exploration of the rise and fall of the Standard Type 1 locomotives. Additional sources provide valuable insights into the extensive efforts and financial resources invested in improving the Claytons' reliability. Individual locomotive record cards, coupled with personal sighting information, enable the development of detailed histories for each class member, encompassing allocations, works visits, liveries, and disposal details. Supported by over 280 photographs and diagrams, this comprehensive work offers new insights into the troubled class, appealing to historians and modellers alike.

\n Weight: 1572g\n
Dimension: 263 x 248 x 29 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781526762009\n \n