British Rail Class 31

Brush Type 2 British Rail Class 31
A Class 31 at Saltley MPD in 1987
Type and origin Power type Diesel-electric Builder Brush Traction Serial number 71–90, 119–178, 180–280, 282–326, 362–398 Build date 1957–1962 Total produced 263
Specifications Configuration: ​  • UIC (A1A)(A1A)  • Commonwealth A1A-A1A Gauge 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge Wheel diameter Driving: 3 ft 7 in (1,092 mm) Idling: 3 ft 3+1⁄2 in (1,003 mm) Minimum curve 4.5 chains (300 ft; 91 m) Wheelbase 42 ft 10 in (13.06 m) Length 56 ft 9 in (17.30 m) Width 8 ft 9 in (2.67 m) Height 12 ft 7 in (3.84 m) Loco weight 106.7 long tons (108.4 t; 119.5 short tons) to 113 long tons (115 t; 127 short tons) Fuel capacity 550 imp gal (2,500 L; 660 US gal) Prime mover Original: Mirrlees JVS12T Rebuilt: English Electric 12SVT Generator Brush TG160.48 [1] Traction motors Four Brush TM73 [1] Transmission Diesel electric Train heating 31/0 & 31/1: Steam 31/4: Electric Train Heat (Index 66) [1] Train brakes Vacuum / Dual (Air/Vac)
Performance figures Maximum speed D5500–5534: 80 mph (129 km/h) Remainder: 90 mph (145 km/h) Power output Engine: Mirrlees: 1,250 bhp (930 kW) or 1,365 bhp (1,018 kW) English Electric: 1,470 bhp (1,100 kW) At rail: 1,170 hp (870 kW)[2] Tractive effort Maximum: 35,900 lbf (159.69 kN) Brakeforce 49 long tons-force (488.24 kN)
Career Operators British Railways EWS Fragonset Railways FM Rail Mainline Rail Nemesis Rail Network Rail Numbers D5500–D5699, D5800–D5862, later 31001–31970 Nicknames Goyles, Peds, Toffee Apples, Gurglers Axle load class Route availability 5 or 6 Withdrawn 1975–2017 Disposition 36 preserved,[3] remainder scrapped

The British Rail Class 31 diesel locomotives, also known as the Brush Type 2 and previously as Class 30, were built by Brush Traction from 1957 to 1962. They were numbered in two series, D5500-D5699 and D5800-D5862.^[4][5] Construction of the first locomotive was completed in the final week of September 1957, and the handing-over took place on 31 October.^[6] The first Class 31 entered service in November 1957, after the launch of the Class 20 locomotive and was one of the Pilot Scheme locomotives ordered by British Railways to replace steam traction.