Talk:Yorkshire Engine Company Janus

I have made a few changes to this page (before logging in).

The information I found was the story as it is usually reproduced in books on British Rail owned locomotives. Remembering that the details of these locomotives are a specialist interest (YEC Diesels) within an other specialist interest (UK Industrial Railways) it is not surprising that errors end up getting printed (do not think I am being over critical of the authers, I would rather see some details with errors than none at all).

I believe a 'myth' has grown up about the locomotives in question with the details of 3 or 4 different locomotives being assigned to the two detailed here. I cannot claim any new information on the locomotives but would like to apply information that is reasonably well know about industrial railways to information provided about mainline railways.

I intent to use this page to record any further information that I find.

Wheel arrangements

The article uses the terms 0-6-0 and 0-8-0, normally steam locomotive terminology. Shouldn't diesel/electric terminology be used? SpaceCaptain 05:19, 10 March 2006 (UTC)

Naming Convention

I know there's a huge amount of debate about the titles of articles on British Rail owned/operated locomotives, but I really think this articles should be renamed to, say, Yorkshire Engine Company Janus.

Although there is a BR connection their main use and life has been in industrial operation and the title could be a little misleading. Zozzie 9t9 (talk) 10:04, 17 March 2011 (UTC)

I'd be happy with that change, although I'm not sure that there isn't a BR connection. These locos were demonstrated for BR as a potential first customer. Now was this an speculative build by Yorkshire, or had they been requested by BR to a specific requirement, then rejected after test? If it's shown to be the second, then there could be cause for keeping it. Andy Dingley (talk) 12:14, 17 March 2011 (UTC)

According to

• Marsden, Colin J. (1984). BR Locomotive Numbering. Shepperton: Ian Allan. pp. 18–19. ISBN 0 7110 1445 0. EX/1184. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)

"Two prototype shunters were produced by the Yorkshire Engine Co ... as possible design for BR standard shunting loco, locomotives not favoured by BR"

Taurus (YEC 2875) was "on loan 1961-2" and "withdrawn March 1964"

Janus (YEC 2595) was on loan June 1956 to August 1956

and according to

• Oakley, Michael; Tarrey, Malcolm; Webb, Brian; Wheldon, Malcolm (1979). BR Diesel Shunting Locos: A Pictorial History. Truro: Bradford Barton. Trial locomotives. ISBN 0 85153 361 2.

"the only real disappointment from the trials involved Taurus ... rejected apparently because of transmission problems".

Neither is clear on whether it was a BR request or YEC offer. --Redrose64 (talk) 15:33, 17 March 2011 (UTC)

There is definately a BR connection with the type but they have really shone in inudstry - through a previous job with a rail contractor I used to go to Scunthorpe Steelworks and saw the Janus types working there and handling some very heavy trains with comparitive ease!

Anyway, shall we change the title? Zozzie 9t9 (talk) 09:15, 5 April 2011 (UTC)

Maybe it wasn't clear from my prev post but these two definitely worked for BR, hence their inclusion in the Marsden book. Although BR never bought them, it's unclear whether they were loaned or hired, nor whose suggestion it was that BR should use them. But yes, since the BR usage was insignificant compared to non-BR industrial usage, I would agree with a move to Yorkshire Engine Company Janus. --Redrose64 (talk) 19:10, 5 April 2011 (UTC)

Sorry, your post was clear! From my own research and reading there seems to be no definate answer as to who suggested a BR trial - I suspect it was YEC trying to secure orders. I can't see BR really needed more 0-6-0 diesel shunters really though! Zozzie 9t9 (talk) 21:33, 5 April 2011 (UTC)