BRITISH RAIL CLASS 07

'BR Class 07'
TOPS numbers	07 001-07 013
Early numbers	D2985-2998
Builder	Ruston & Hornsby
Introduced	1962
Wheel Arrangement	0-6-0
Weight	42 t 18 cwt	43,588 kg
Height	12 ft 10 in	3.9 m
Width	8 ft 6 in	2.6 m
Length	26 ft 9.5 in	8.2 m
Wheel Dia.	3 ft 6 in	1.1 m
Wheel Base	4 ft 3 ¾ in + 4 ft 3¾ in	1.3 + 1.3 m
Minimum radius
Maximum speed	20 mph	32 km/h
Engine output	275 hp	205 kW
Max. Tractive Effort	28,240 lbf	126 kN
Power at Rail
Brake type	Air locomotive brake Vacuum; later dual and air only
Brake force	tons
Route availability	6
Fuel Tank	300 imp gal	1.364 m³
Heating type	None

The British Rail 'Class 07' locomotive is an off-centre cab shunter for use in Southampton Docks, to replace SR USA Class steam locomotives. An 0-6-0 diesel-electrical shunter built by Ruston & Hornsby, 1962. Numbered D2985-D2998 and given the TOPS numbers 07001(D2985)-07013(D2997), D2998.
Engine is a Ruston/Paxman 6 cylinder, 4-stroke, 6RPHL. Traction motor is an AEI RTA6652, spigot mounted on a double reduction axle-hung final drive gearbox. Main Generator is an AEI RTB6652. Train air and vacuum brakes were fitted and these included high level air brake pipes to match the Southern region electric multiple units.
The builders classified these locomotives as LSSE and although other locomotives were built for industrial use to this (and the similarly styled LSSH diesel-hydraulic) specification, non had the same engine output, train brakes or other 'mainline' features.
The remaining members of the class that had TOPS style numbering applied, were also equipped with high-level air brake pipes - allowing them to move Southern Region Electric Multiple Units. This not being their principal work, nonetheless they were greatly employed around their home-depot on general shunting duties. Although relatively high-speed for a shunter (it was envisaged they would be used to trip local traffic to/from Southampton docks) they were seldom used for this as they suffered from hot axle boxes when used for extended periods of "high-speed" running. This also was a problem if they had to work to an area away from Eastleigh. Consequently they were moved by road when attending BREL for heavy work, unlike other shunter classes that would commonly have their side-rods removed, traction motors isolated and then form part of a consist heading that way (class 08 were commonly moved in this fashion at up to 35mph - overnight wagon-load trains were utilised if possible).
The locomotives were short-lived, with this class was withdrawn by British Rail by 1977. Several were bought for industrial use, and have subsequently passed into preservation. In addition, one loco is mainline registered, no. 07001, which is owned by HNRC. All surviving locomotives are listed below.

★ 07001 / D2985 - Owned by HNRC based at Barrow Hill

★ 07005 / D2989 - Owned by HNRC - stored on Battlefield Line

★ 07010 / D2994 - Preserved on Avon Valley Railway

★ 07011 / D2995 - Privately owned at St Leonards-on-Sea

★ 07012 / D2996 - Preserved on Lavender Line

★ 07013 / D2997 - Preserved on Peak Rail

★ D2991 - Privately owned at Eastleigh Works

Contents

In fiction

In fiction

An example of this class of diesel can be seen on the Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends TV Series, in the form of Salty the Dockyard Diesel.