Why British Rail's Class 31 locomotives earned the derogatory nickname of Peds
In short: The British Rail Class 31 diesel locomotive, built between 1957 and 1962, was often mocked for its perceived lack of speed and pulling power. Known by various nicknames including Goyle and Gurgler, this workhorse of the British railway system underwent significant mechanical transformations to overcome its initial design limitations.
Originally designated as the Brush Type 2, the Class 31 was introduced to replace steam traction. The initial batch, built with Mirrlees engines, proved unsuccessful, leading to a comprehensive re-engining program between 1965 and 1969. Engineers replaced the original power plants with English Electric 12SVT engines, which were de-rated to 1,470 bhp to match the capacity of the existing electrical systems. These locomotives were initially limited to 80 mph, a performance constraint that contributed to their reputation as underpowered machines.
The class evolved into several sub-classes based on their control equipment and heating capabilities. The 31/4 variant, for instance, was fitted with electric train heating (ETH) apparatus, which consumed about one-third of the locomotive's total electrical power. This further reduced the available traction power, making them less effective for hauling heavy passenger trains. To manage these limitations, British Rail later removed ETH cables from some units to prevent passenger sectors from borrowing them from freight operations, reclassifying them as 31/5s.
Despite their mechanical struggles, the Class 31s proved remarkably resilient. They were used for a variety of duties, from hauling parcels and freight to secondary passenger services. Their service life spanned decades, with some units finding new roles as train pre-heating units or test train haulers for Network Rail. By the end of their working lives, 36 members of the class had been preserved, including the very first and last locomotives produced, ensuring that these iconic, if occasionally maligned, machines remain a part of railway history.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: British Rail Class 31
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/health-british-rail-class-31.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in History · Latest · A–Z · All topics
