With the nicknames 'Metrovicks', 'Crossleys' and 'Co-Bos', these 20 locomotives produced by Metropolitan Vickers had a few peculiar traits. Their two-stroke Crossley diesel engine provided five driving axles; three beneath the No. 1 end and two underneath the No. 2 end, while their driver's cabs were equipped with wrap-around windows for unobstructed views of the track ahead.
At first, BR's London Midland Region allocated a total of twenty locomotives to the Midland Division. These were utilized for transporting freight on the 'Condor' express service running between London and Glasgow.
Unfortunately, the Crossley engines were ridden with issues from day one: frequent failures, high levels of toxic exhaust fumes and intolerable vibrations. The combination of poor design and these problems caused the driver's windows to eventually become loose.
In 1961, the locomotives were brought back to Metropolitan Vickers for repairs and upgrades, including new cab windows. Afterwards, they were based at Barrow-in-Furness and Carlisle Upperby.
Despite this effort, the Type 2's difficulties remained unresolved. As all other components of the locomotive were reliable, BR considered replacing its engines but eventually decided against it and withdrew them from service between 1967 and 1968 - with only one surviving for preservation.
Specifications:
• Post-1961 flat screen version
• Next18 decoder socket
• High quality motor and drive systems
• Directional lighting
• Wealth of separately fitted and highly detailed parts
• DCC Sound fitted
• NEM coupler pockets
