British Rail Class 13

The British Rail Class 13 was formed in 1965. The Tinsley Marshalling Yard needed more powerful shunters to move vehicles around. This was provided by permanently coupling together two Class 08 shunters as a ‘master and slave’ (or ‘cow and calf’) unit. The second of the two units had its cab taken off. Both units were ballasted to improve traction. At first the units were coupled cab-to-cab but it was easier to couple Master nose to Slave cab. The thinking behind adopting this dual locomotive design is that a larger, rigid locomotive could not be used due to the risk of grounding on the hump.

British Rail Class 13
Type and origin Power type Diesel-electric Builder British Railways’ Darlington Works (builder and rebuilder) Build date 1965 (rebuilt) Total produced 3
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 0-6-0+0-6-0  • UIC C+C Gauge 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge Wheel diameter 4 ft 6 in (1.372 m) Wheelbase 42 ft 1+1⁄2 in (12.84 m) Length 60 ft 1 in (18.31 m) Width 8 ft 6 in (2.59 m) Height 12 ft 8+1⁄2 in (3.87 m) Loco weight 120 long tons (122 t) Fuel capacity 1,336 imp gal (6,070 L; 1,604 US gal) Prime mover English Electric 6KT, 2 off Traction motors EE, four off Transmission DC generators, DC traction motors, double reduction gearing MU working Not fitted (except control of slave by master) Train heating None Train brakes Vacuum
Performance figures Top speed 20 mph (32 km/h) Power output Engine: 350 hp (261 kW) × 2 Tractive effort Maximum: 70,000 lbf (311.4 kN) Brakeforce 37 long tons-force (370 kN)
Career Railroad(s) British Railways Number D4500–D4502, later 13001–13003 Axle load class RA 8 Retired 1983–1986