The Class 17 locomotive was designed as the standard BR Type 1 low powered diesel locomotive. The centre cab Clayton design offered good visibility all round the locomotive, very useful when single manned of the locomotives, and the type was ordered. The class eventually had a very short life, suffering from the rapid decline in local goods trains as BR rationalised its network. The type is fondly remembered for its aesthetically pleasing design, however the low power proved a disadvantage, necessitating double heading and so eliminating the advantages the locomotives had over the more reliable EE class 20. 

The unusual design and association with short goods trains running through the scenery of Scotland where many of these locomotives worked have placed the type high on the modellers request lists for many years. Many of the class subsequently found employment in industrial locations