British Rail Class 04

The British Rail Class 04 0-6-0 diesel-mechanical shunting locomotive class was built between 1952 and 1962. It was the basis for the later Class 03 built in the British Railways workshops. The Class 04 locomotives were supplied by the Drewry Car Co., which at the time (and for most of its existence) had no manufacturing capability. Drewry sub-contracted the construction work to two builders. Both of these built other locomotives under the same arrangement. Early locomotives were built by Vulcan Foundry and later examples were built by Robert Stephenson and Hawthorns.

British Rail Class 04
D2298, as preserved at the Buckinghamshire Railway Centre. (NB - few examples were given any form of blue livery while in service with British Railways)
Type and origin Power type Diesel-mechanical Builder Drewry Car Co., at Vulcan Foundry and Robert Stephenson and Hawthorns Build date 1957–1962
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 0-6-0  • UIC C Gauge 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) Wheel diameter D2200–D2214: 3 ft 3 in (0.991 m) D2215–D2273: 3 ft 6 in (1.067 m) D2274–D2339: 3 ft 7 in (1.092 m) Minimum curve 2 chains (40 m) Wheelbase 9 ft 0 in (2.74 m) Length 26 ft 0+1⁄2 in (7.94 m) Width 8 ft 6 in (2.59 m) Height 12 ft 1+1⁄2 in (3.696 m) Loco weight 30.2 long tons (30.7 t) to 32 long tons (32.5 t) Fuel capacity 225 imp gal (1,020 L; 270 US gal) to 300 imp gal (1,400 L; 360 US gal) Prime mover Gardner 8L3 Transmission Wilson-Drewry 5 speed epicyclic gearbox Train heating None Train brakes Vacuum
Performance figures Top speed 25 mph (40 km/h) to 27 mph (43 km/h) Power output Engine: 204 hp (152 kW) At rail: 152 hp (113 kW) Tractive effort Maximum: 16,850 lbf (75.0 kN) to 15,650 lbf (69.6 kN) Brakeforce 14 long tons-force (139.5 kN)
Career Railroad(s) British Railways Number D2200–D2341 Axle load class D2200–D2214: RA 1 D2215–D2340: RA 2