An Illustrated Historical Review of the Clayton Type 1 Bo-Bo Diesel Electrics Locomotives Class 17

The British Rail Class 17, also known as the Clayton Type 1, was a class of 117 Bo-Bo diesel-electric locomotives built between 1962 and 1965 by Clayton Equipment Company and their sub-contractor Beyer, Peacock & Co., for British Railways (BR). Following problems with the single-cabbed pilot scheme Type 1 locomotives, the Class 17s were designed with a centre cab and low bonnets to maximise visibility for the driver. The low engine covers required the use of two Paxman 6ZHXL six-cylinder horizontal engines and these gave unreliable performance even after extensive modifications. The class proved to be one of the least successful of the Type 1s. Withdrawals took place from the late 1960s up to 1971. This hardback book looks at the turbulent career of Clayton type 1s.