Simplify the following text for a Grade 8 native English-speaking person.
Original: The Clayton Type 1 ( later known as Class 17 ) was a class of diesel locomotive operated by British Railways .
Simplified: The British Rail Class 17 ( also known as the Clayton Type 1 ) was a class of 117 Bo-Bo diesel-electric locomotives built 1962 â `` 1965 by Clayton Equipment Company and their sub-contractor Beyer , Peacock & Co. , for British Railways ( BR ) .