Class 31 No.31018 - DCC Ready

Our highly detailed Exclusive model of the Class 31 / English Electric Type 2 - 31018 in BR Blue is available now. Don’t miss this brilliant Accurascale offering available only from Locomotion Models in both DCC Ready and DCC SOUND running configurations. Fitted with a wealth of features for the discerning modeller, this OO Gauge masterpiece will make a worthy addition to your layout or diesel collection.

Model Features
- Minimum Radius 438mm (2nd Radius Set-track).
- Heavy Die-cast metal chassis.
- One truck (bogie) styles with separate footsteps, brake cylinders and end brake rigging.
- Brake blocks on bogies in line with wheels.
- Scale width wire handrails.
- Etched metal/plastic detail parts, incl. grab handles, steps, wipers, etc…
- Full underbody battery box/air tank detail with pipework.
- Kinetic NEM coupler mounts at correct height with mini-tension-lock couplers.

In 1955, the British Transport Commission published the 'Modernisation Plan'. This plan promised to revitalise the ageing railway system, increasing speed, reliability, safety and line capacity. An important part of this was replacing steam locomotives with diesel and electric traction.

The Brush Type 2 A1A-A1A locomotives were amongst the first diesel locomotives to emerge from the plan. Built at Loughborough, they were based upon a proven design supplied to the Ceylon Government Railway. The first, the National Railway Museum’s D5500 (31018), entered service in East Anglia in November 1957, becoming the first diesel locomotive for British Railways’ (BR) Eastern Region under the plan.

The type was built with 1250 HP Mirrlees engines. These soon proved to be unreliable and were replaced by 1470 HP engines produced by English Electric between 1964 and 1969. BR’s first attempt at establishing TOPS classifications in 1968 saw the Mirrlees-fitted Type 2s designated Class 30 and the English Electric-fitted versions Class 31. Renumbering did not take place until the full roll-out of TOPS in the mid-1970s, by which time all had been rebuilt as Class 31s.

Running to 263 locomotives, the first batch, including D5500 – renumbered 31018 under TOPS – was withdrawn by 1980. Since then, most have been scrapped, although several are preserved. The class pioneer can be seen on public display in Locomotion’s NEW HALL, Shildon.