Class 15 Profile and Models

Class 15

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.

(Information provided via Wikipedia)

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

 

OO Gauge (1:76 Scale)
O Gauge (1:43 Scale)

Products awaiting categorisation

Scale Brand Image Construction Type DCC Capability Product Code Product Title Livery
OO Gauge (1:76 Scale) Dave Alexander Models 15DA Class BTH 15 kit Requires assembly Not set 15DA
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Class BTH 15 kit Awaiting Categorisation
OO Gauge (1:76 Scale) Kitbuilt (unknown brand) KB106 Class 15 D8216 in BR green - built from Alexander Models kit RTR/RTUse/Pre-assembled Not set KB106
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Class 15 D8216 in BR green - built from Alexander Models kit BR green with late crest
OO Gauge (1:76 Scale) Kitbuilt (unknown brand) No image available RTR/RTUse/Pre-assembled Not set KB211
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Class 15 D8219 in BR green - built from Alexander Models kit BR green with late crest
OO Gauge (1:76 Scale) Silver Fox SF15 Silver Fox Kit Built Class 15 RTR/RTUse/Pre-assembled Not set SF15
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Silver Fox Kit Built Class 15 Awaiting Categorisation
OO Gauge (1:76 Scale) TechCAD Design Limited TDL15 Class 15 D8214 in BR Green RTR/RTUse/Pre-assembled Not set TDL15
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Class 15 D8214 in BR Green BR green with late crest