Rail UK - Class 15 17

With a design reminiscent of the early North American road switchers, the 800hp BTH Type 1s were not a roaring success. The class of 44 locos were delivered between 1957 and 1962, and all withdrawn by 1971, by which time they had become Class 15. Four survived to become carraige heating units, of which this example, DB 968001 - the former D8233 - seen here at Haymarket (Edinburgh) on Wed8Mar72, became the last survivor and bought for preservation. Now to be found at the East Lancs Railway undergoing restoration. Scanned

This photo would certainly not win any prizes for quality, but I think is worth including for the rarity value. Clayton Class 17 No 8512 stands at Manchesters Longsight Depot, coupled up to what is probably Test Coach Hermes, on Sat5Feb72. The loco was withdrawn from service in October of 1968, but was then claimed by the Research Department and renumbered - on paper at least - to S18512, though I'm not sure if it ever carried this number. At the time the photo was taken, it was employed on test trains up and down the Styal Line, and could usually be found stabled at Wilmslow. It was eventually scrapped at Glasgow Works in January 1973. Scanned