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. It was 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.

British Rail Class 08
08168 at Shackerstone Station on the Battlefield Line Railway
Type and origin Power type Diesel-electric Builder British Railways: Derby Works, Crewe Works, Darlington Works, Doncaster Works and Horwich Works. Build date 1953–1962
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 0-6-0  • UIC C Wheel diameter 3 ft 6 in (1.067 m) Wheelbase 11 ft 6 in (3.51 m) Length 29 ft 3 in (8.92 m) Width 8 ft 6 in (2.59 m) Height 12 ft 8+1⁄2 in (3.87 m) Loco weight 49.6 long tons (50.4 t) to 51 long tons (51.8 t) Fuel capacity 668 imp gal (3,040 L; 802 US gal) Prime mover English Electric 6KT Traction motors English Electric 506, 2 off Transmission DC generator, DC traction motors, double reduction drive MU working Not originally fitted, some retrofitted with type ★ Blue Star Train heating None Train brakes Vacuum, later Air & Vacuum or Air only
Performance figures Top speed 15 mph (24 km/h) or 20 mph (32 km/h) Power output Engine: 350 hp (261 kW) Tractive effort Maximum: 35,000 lbf (160 kN) Brakeforce 19 long tons-force (190 kN)
Career Railroad(s) British Railways Number 13000–13116, 13127–13136, 13167–13365; later: D3000–D3116, D3127–D3136, D3167–D3438, D3454–D3472, D3503–D3611, D3652–D3664, D3672–D3718, D3722–D4048, D4095–D4098, D4115–D4192; later 08001–08958 Nicknames Gronk Axle load class Route availability 5 or 6 (see text)

Since their introduction, rail freight has primarily moved to fixed-rate 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.