Oxford Rail GV2016 (OR76JAN005) Janus 0-6-0 Diesel Allied Steel & Wire Caerleon
The Yorkshire Engine Company Janus locomotive is an 0-6-0 diesel-electric shunting locomotive weighing 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.
The name Janus is from the two-faced god Janus: the locomotive was symmetrical with two faces. The similarity in power and speed would indicate that this type of locomotive could have been used in a similar role to the British Rail Class 08 shunter. In recent years Class 08 shunters owned by EWS have replaced Janus locomotives on some industrial railways.
The specification of the model will be as follows:
- OO gauge, 1:76 scale
- 5 pole, skew wound motor
- DCC Ready
- Designed for DCC Sound
- Accurate model with fine detail bodywork.
- NEM coupler pockets.