The Yorkshire Engine Company Janus locomotive is an 0-6-0 diesel-electric shunting locomotive wighing around 48 tons and powered by two Rolls-Royce C6SFL diesel engines with a combined power output of 400 bhp. Each engine has its' own cooling system and generator, each powering one of the two traction motors, thus simplifying the electrical system and allowing single-engine operation.
102 Janus locomotives were built between 1956 and 1965 mostly for the British steel industry, but other customers included Imperial Chemical Industries (12),Port of London Authority (10) and National Coal Board (7) with 3 locomotives exported. One locomotive was tested by British Rail as a possible alternative/replacement for class 08 shunters and in 2008 23 were still in industrial service with 7 preserved.
The GVH model is bring produced by Oxford using original engineering drawings, trade publicity and published histories, backed up with site visits to view and measure surviving locomotives. GVH are indebted to the archive departments and support of current and previous company owners of Janus locomotives in completing this task.
The model has been designed to incorporate many fine details of the original locomotives and also offer key detail variations made during their long operational ownership. Permission has been obtained from a variety of famous British companies who owned and operated these locos to reproduce their branding on the models, though some brand owners have applied restrictions to the production run quantity.
GV2015 British Steel No5 Janus 0-6-0 Diesel
The Port of London Authority (or PLA) were large purchasers of the Janus. Using them to replace many steam locomotives across their dock system. The dock system overall totalled 95 miles of running lines stretching along the Thames. Our locomotive represents the Janus in its brand new delivered livery. Packs of wagons have also been commissioned from Oxford Rail to match each of the locomotives with GV6015 being a pack of 3 PLA 7 plank open mineral wagons.