BRITISH RAIL CLASS 08

The British Rail 'Class 08' is a class of diesel locomotive designed for shunting. It was the standard BR diesel-electric shunter, based on the LMS 12033 series (later TOPS Class 11). Production started in 1953 and when it finished in 1962, the class had become the most numerous of all British classes, numbering 996 in total. There were also 26 of the near-identical but higher geared Class 09, and 171 similar locomotives fitted with different engines and transmissions (some of which became Class 10), which together brought the total number of outwardly similar machines to 1193.
Since their introduction rail freight has primarily moved to fixed-rake bulk freight traffic and intermodal freight operations which reduce or remove the need for shunting. Therefore only a few class 08 locomotives remain in service today.

Contents

Overview

Design variations

Class 08/9

In fiction

References

Overview

The locomotives were built at the BR Works of Crewe, Darlington, Derby and Doncaster^[1].
The main Class became sub-class 08/0, when some locomotives from the class were reduced in height for use on the Burry Port and Gwendraeth Valley Railway in south west Wales, and became Class 08/9.
The engine is an English Electric (EE) 6 cylinder, 4-stroke, 6KT. Traction motors are two EE 506 motors with double reduction gear drive. The main generator is an EE 801.

Design variations

There were variations on the basic design, which were given the following TOPS design codes:

TOPS design code	Electrical system	Max speed	Weight	Brakes	Route availability	Notes
08-0AV	90V	20 mph	49.8 te (496 kN)	vacuum	5
08-0BX	110V	20 mph	50.4 te (502 kN)	dual	5
08-0CA	90V	20 mph	49.6 te (494 kN)	air	5
08-0DV	90V	15 mph	49.8 te (496 kN)	vacuum	5
08-0BX	90V	15 mph	50.4 te (502 kN)	dual	5
08-0FA	90V	15 mph	49.6 te (494 kN)	air	5
08-0KX	110V	15 mph	50.4 te (502 kN)	dual	5
08-0LX	110V	15 mph	50.4 te (502 kN)	dual	5	Scharfenberg adapter fitted
08-0MA	110V	15 mph	49.8 te (496 kN)	air	5
08-0NA	90V	15 mph	49.8 te (496 kN)	air	5	fitted with knuckle couplings
08-0PA	90V	15 mph	51 te (508 kN)	air	6	fitted with knuckle couplings
08-0QA	90V	15 mph	51 te (508 kN)	air	6	fitted with knuckle couplings
08-0RA	110V	15 mph	51 te (508 kN)	air	6	fitted with knuckle couplings
08-0SA	110V	15 mph	49 te (488 kN)	air	6

Class 08/9

Class 08/9 locomotives were modified from the standard class by being given headlights and cut-down bodywork in which the overall height was reduced to 11’ 10” (3.61 m), for use on the Burry Port and Gwendraeth Valley Railway up to Cwm Mawr. A few of these locomotives are now being used on the Manchester Metrolink track relaying project. Their job is to take the track to the construction sites.

★ 08-9AV 90 V electrical system, 15 mph, 49.8 te (496 kN), vacuum brakes

★ 08-9CX 90 V electrical system, 15 mph, 50.4 te (502 kN), dual brakes

★ 08-9DA 90 V electrical system, 15 mph, 49.6 te (494 kN), air brakes

★ 08 991 was converted from 08 203; design code: 08-9AV

★ 08 992 was converted from 08 259; design code: 08-9CX

★ 08 993 was converted from 08 592; design code: 08-9CX

★ 08 994 was converted from 08 462; design code: 08-9DA

★ 08 995 was converted from 08 687; design code: 08-9DA

In fiction

A Class 08 known as ''Diesel'' was the first diesel locomotive to appear in The Railway Series books by the Rev. W. Awdry. In the spin-off TV Series, ''Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends'', several Class 08s have appeared: Devious Diesel, 'Arry and Bert, and Splatter and Dodge.

References

1.