Class 15 Profile and Models
D8241 at East Finchley in April 1962. ©Ben Brooksbank
The British Rail Class 15 diesel locomotives, also known as the BTH Type 1, were designed by British Thomson-Houston, and built by the Yorkshire Engine Company and the Clayton Equipment Company, between 1957 and 1961. The Class 15 was ordered by British Railways (BR) shortly after the announcement of the 1955 Modernisation Plan. Shortly following the completion of the first locomotive during 1957, its performance was sufficient to justify multiple follow-on orders, leading to a total fleet of 44 locomotives. In service, the type was relatively unreliable, much of this been traceable to its Paxman 16YHXL power unit. Its fortunes were further impacted by inconsistent policy making. During the late 1960s, it was decided to withdraw the Class 15 in favour of the more numerous and successful British Rail Class 20 locomotive, both types having been developed to satisfy the same Type 1 specification. Their final use was as departmental vehicles, coming to an end in the late 1980s. One example has survived into preservation. |
|
Type of Locomotive |
Diesel-Electric |
Builder |
British Thomson Houston at Yorkshire Engine Company (Batch 1) British Thomson Houston at Clayton Equipment Co (Batch 2) |
Build Dates |
1957 to 1961 |
Total Built |
44 |
Tractive Effort |
37,500 lbf |
Power Output |
800 hp |
Top Speed |
60 mph |
Wheel Configuration |
Bo-Bo |
Operated By |
British Railways |
Main Duties |
Freight |
In Service Until |
1971 |
Surviving Examples |
1 |
Products awaiting categorisation
Scale | Brand | Image | Construction Type | DCC Capability | Product Code | Product Title | Livery |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
OO Gauge (1:76 Scale) | Dave Alexander Models | Requires assembly | Not set |
15DA View |
Class BTH 15 kit | Awaiting Categorisation | |
OO Gauge (1:76 Scale) | Kitbuilt (unknown brand) | RTR/RTUse/Pre-assembled | Not set |
KB106 View |
Class 15 D8216 in BR green - built from Alexander Models kit | BR green with late crest | |
OO Gauge (1:76 Scale) | Kitbuilt (unknown brand) | RTR/RTUse/Pre-assembled | Not set |
KB211 View |
Class 15 D8219 in BR green - built from Alexander Models kit | BR green with late crest | |
OO Gauge (1:76 Scale) | Silver Fox | RTR/RTUse/Pre-assembled | Not set |
SF15 View |
Silver Fox Kit Built Class 15 | Awaiting Categorisation | |
OO Gauge (1:76 Scale) | TechCAD Design Limited | RTR/RTUse/Pre-assembled | Not set |
TDL15 View |
Class 15 D8214 in BR Green | BR green with late crest |