The British Rail Class 31 diesel locomotives, also known as the Brush Type 2, were built by Brush Traction from 1957-62.
Description
Refurbishment
Current Operations
English, Welsh and Scottish Railway (EWS)
The final three EWS locomotives were withdrawn in 2001.
Fragonset Railways
In 1998, Fragonset Railways purchased four redundant Class 31 locomotives from EWS.
Network Rail
Network Rail operates a small fleet of four Class 31/1 locomotive, nos. 31105/107/233/285, to haul test trains around the network. The locomotives were purchased from Fragonset, and overhauled at their Derby workshops. They have been repainted in Network Rail's new all-over yellow livery.
Prior to operating its own locomotives, Network Rail's predecessor, Railtrack, had hired two Class 31 locomotives from Fragonset. These two locomotives, nos. 31190 and 31601, were repainted in Raltrack's blue and lime green livery. With the overhaul and entry into service of Network Rail's own locomotives, these two engines were returned to Fragonset.
Preservation
Several locomotives have been preserved for use on heritage railways. These are listed below. Of note, are the first built, no. 31018, and the last built, no. 31327.
In addition, the following locomotives were previously preserved, but have since been scrapped.
Fleet Details
| BR Class 30 and 31 |
| TOPS numbers |
(see left) |
| Early numbers |
D5500–D5699, D5800–D5862 |
| Builder |
Brush Traction
|
| Introduced |
1957–1962 |
| Wheel Arrangement |
A1A-A1A |
| Weight |
106.7–111 t |
tonnes |
| Height |
ft in |
m |
| Width |
ft in |
2.67 m |
| Length |
ft in |
17.30 m |
| Wheel Dia. |
ft in |
1092/1003 mm |
| Wheel Base |
ft |
m |
| Minimum radius |
chains |
m |
| Maximum speed |
90 mph |
km/h |
| Engine |
English Electric 12SVT |
| Engine output |
1,470 hp |
1,100 kW |
| Max. Tractive Effort |
35,900 lbf |
160 kN |
| Power at Rail |
1,170 hp |
872 kW |
| Brake type |
Air & vacuum |
| Brake force |
49 tons force |
kN |
| Route availability |
5 (31/1, 31/6)
6 (31/4, 31/5) |
| Fuel Tank |
imperial gallons |
2,409 litres |
| Heating type |
None (31/1)
Electric (31/4, 31/5, 31/6) |
| Multiple working |
Blue Star |
EWS = English, Welsh and Scottish Railway
| Class |
No. Built
(*Converted)
|
No. Range |
Operators |
Loco nos. |
No. in Traffic
(2004)
|
Withdrawn |
| Class 31/0 |
19 |
31001-31019 |
- |
- |
0 |
1980 |
| Class 31/1 |
227 |
31101-31327 |
EWS
|
31110/154/203/207 |
0 |
2001 |
|
Fragonset
|
31106/128/190 |
3 |
- |
|
Network Rail
|
31105/107/233/285 |
4 |
- |
| Class 31/4 |
17 + 53* |
31400-31469 |
EWS |
31420/427/466 |
0 |
2001 |
| Fragonset |
31422/452/454/459/461/468 |
6 |
- |
| Class 31/5 |
25* |
31507-31569 |
EWS |
31514/541 |
0 |
1999 |
| Class 31/6 |
2* |
31601-31602 |
Fragonset |
31601-602 |
2 |
- |
| Class 31/9 |
1* |
31970 |
EWS |
- |
0 |
1991 |
