British Rail Class 08
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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.
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[edit] Overview
The locomotives were built at the BR Works of Crewe, Darlington, Derby and Doncaster.
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.
[edit] 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 |
[edit] 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.
- 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
[edit] Technical details
| BR Class 08/0 | ||
|---|---|---|
| TOPS numbers | 08 001-08 958 | |
| Early numbers | 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 | |
| Builder | British Railways | |
| Introduced | 1953-62 | |
| Wheel Arrangement | 0-6-0 | |
| Weight | 49.6 to 51 long tons | 50.4 to 51.8 t |
| Height | 12 ft 8 5/8 in | 3.877 m |
| Width | 8 ft 6 in | 2.59 m |
| Length | 29 ft 3 in | 8.92 m |
| Wheel Dia. | 4 ft 6 in | 1.37 m |
| Wheel Base | 5 ft 9 in + 5 ft 9 in | 1.75 + 1.75 m |
| Minimum radius | ||
| Maximum speed | 15 to 20 mph | 24 to 32 km/h |
| Engine output | ||
| Max. Tractive Effort | 35,000 lbf | 156 kN |
| Cont. Tractive Effort | 11,100 lbf at 8.8 mph | 49 kN at 14 km/h |
| Brake type | Vacuum | |
| Brake force | 19 te | 189 kN |
| Route availability | 5 (6 see notes) | |
| Fuel Tank | 668 imp gal | 3.04 m³ |
| Heating type | None | |
[edit] 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.
