Changes

|image = 31466_2021073131466_20210918.jpg|caption = 31466 at Kidderminster TMDHighley, July September 2021

|status = In serviceOperational

|years4 = 2023|events4 = Left the SVR

}}'''31466''' is a '''BR Class 31''' diesel electric locomotive. It arrived on the SVR in July 2021 on hire as cover for [[BR Class 33 33108]].<ref>[https://forum.svr-online.org.uk/viewtopic.php?t=4422&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=15 SVR On-line Forum]</ref>It left in June 2023.

The BR Class 31 diesel -electric locomotive was also known originally classified as the Brush Type 2 and originally as the Class 30. A total of 263 were built by Brush Traction between 1957 and 1962 as part of BR's early modernisation plans to replace steam locomotives. The Type were built with Mirrlees JVS12T engines as used in locomotives built for the then Ceylon Government Railways, but uprated from 1,250hp to 1,365hp. This, however, proved unreliable and the Type was rebuilt with the proven English Electric 12CSVT found in the Class 37.  The introduction of [[TOPS codes|TOPS]] saw the type designated as Class 30, and when re-engined as Class 31. The locomotives received a number of derogatory nicknames including ''Goyles'' (short for "gargoyles" in reference to the perceived ugliness of the design), ''Peds'' (short for "pedal cars" in reference to their speed and pulling power) and ''Gurglers'', after the noise they made. 26 members of the class have been preserved<ref name=Wikipedia>[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Rail_Class_31 BR Class 31 on Wikipedia]</ref>.

This locomotive was originally built as a Class 30 and entered service in June 1959 at Norwich Thorpe MPD numbered '''D5533'''. In April 1968 it was reclassified from Class 30 to Class 31 sub-type 31/1 (the standard locomotive fitted with steam heating and Blue Star electro-pneumatic control).<ref name=BRDatabase>[https://www.brdatabase.info/locoqry.php?action=locodata&type=D&id=5533&loco=5533 BRDatabase - 31466]</ref>

The introduction of [[TOPS codes|TOPS]] saw the locomotive renumbered as '''31115''' in January 1973. In March 1985 it was fitted with Electric Train Heating ('ETH'), becoming sub-type 31/4 and receiving its final number of '''31466'''.<ref name=BRDatabase/> The ETH was sufficient to power eleven Mk3 carriages, the type 31s often being used to pre-heat a train in a depot before a more modern and powerful locomotive would carry out the day's inter-city duties.

31466 has had remained resident on the Dean Forest Railway since.<ref>[https://deanforestrailway.co.uk/diesel-locomotives/ Dean Forest Railway, Diesel Locomotives page]</ref> Its 1470 hp English Electric twelve-cylinder diesel engine, which powers the generator supplying the DC motors on four out of the six axles ([[UIC classification|UIC classification A1A-A1A]]), has remained in working order throughout. A three year overhaul was completed by the DFDA in November 2020, which involved replacing entire sections of rotten or corroded cab with fresh metal or timber, renewing window surrounds and wiring, as well as re-painting in the EWS colours<ref>[https://www.punchline-gloucester.com/articles/aanews/restored-locomotive-emerges-from-lydney-workshop Punchline Gloucester]</ref>.

On 9 July 2021 31466 was collected from the DFR by [[50049|50049 Defiance]] and delivered to the SVR as cover for [[BR Class 33 33108]]. While at the SVR it carried out various P-Way duties as well as working some passenger trains. It left in June 2023, collected by 20142 and 20189 and moved to the North Yorkshire Moors Railway. In July 2023 it was reported on social media that the locomotive had been bought by Peter Best and would be based at the NYMR in future<ref>[https://www.national-preservation.com/threads/31466-change-of-ownership.1422567/ National Preservation Forum] (retrieved 3 July 2023)</ref>.