Metropolitan Vickers’ Type 2 design incorporated a number of unusual features, from its Crossley two-stroke diesel engine to its unique five-axle wheel arrangement.
It was a stylish design too, with its wraparound windscreens.
Sadly, the design failed to live up to expectations and although the class was heavily re-built in 1961, BR decided to rid itself of these problematic locomotives and withdrew the fleet in 1968.
Prototype FactfileBuilt: 1958/1959 (20 built) How long did they last? All 20 had been withdrawn by the end of 1968. D5705 was retained for Departmental duties until 1985. Where did they work? Initially used on ‘Condor’ container services, they were relegated to local duties around north-west England. Can I see one? D5705 is under long-term restoration at the East Lancashire Railway.
Here’s the specification of our ‘N’ gauge model:
Designed from original works drawings
Post-1961 flat screen version
Next18 decoder socket
Quality mechanism
Directional lighting
Accurately applied liveries down to minute detail differences
The idea of Digitrains was conceived over the dinner table and grew very slowly as doubts calmed missionary zeal. We finally took the plunge in January 2005 and are fortunate to be dealers for some of the best and most user friendly DCC equipment available.