This locomotive was built in 1961 by Brush Engineering, Loughborough under the modernisation plan of 1955. It has an English Electric engine and is capable of producing 1470 hp, at speeds of up to 90 mph. This locomotive was first allocated to Gateshead and moved to several depots before being withdrawn from service at Tyseley.

The class was originally intended for service on the Eastern Region, but gradually became common in both the Western and London Midland regions too.

31289 is on loan to the Northampton & Lamport Railway, where it arrived on the 10th November 1998, from Birmingham.