Although the Brush Type 2s arguably wore one of the most attractive interpretations of the BR green paint scheme, a growing concern within British Railways was improving the visibility of its diesel motive power, which did not announce themselves to trackside workers in the same way as the steam locomotives they were quickly replacing. As well as trials with flashing lights on various classes, in January 1960, Falcon Works outshopped two ‘Class 30s’ in experimental liveries, D5578 in a French blue and D5579 in golden ochre, also described as bronze gold. Oddly only the latter retained the off-white stripes and was all the better for it.
While both were initially allocated to 30A Stratford and then 31B March from November 1960, they parted company just under five years later when D5579 joined 41B Tinsley, having gained a small yellow panel – BR’s answer to the conspicuity problems – in 1963. While D5578 was painted into the standard green in September 1964, its colleague survived until January 1966 before being admitted to Doncaster for its own makeover.It was renumbered 31161 and was rescued from withdrawal as a late addition to the Class 31/4 programme, becoming 31400 in March 1988 after 31401 was condemned following an accident earlier in the year, notably swapping its Railfreight livery for a return to BR blue. It was stored just over three years later and was cut up at Booth’s of Rotherham in August 1993.