08436 Class 08 Diesel Locomotive Shunter
by Gordon James
Title
08436 Class 08 Diesel Locomotive Shunter
Artist
Gordon James
Medium
Photograph - Photography Digital
Description
08436 Class 08 Diesel Locomotive Shunter At the Swangage Railway.
The British Rail Class 08 was the standard class of diesel locomotive designed for shunting. From 1953 to 1962, 996 locomotives were produced, making it the most numerous of all British locomotive classes. 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, the nature of rail freight in Britain has changed considerably, reducing or removing the need for shunting, therefore only a few Class 08 locomotives remain in service today. However, many have found an active retirement on heritage railways in Britain, with at least 66 being classed as preserved, though there may be more unregistered Class 08s still working in Britain or abroad. Their low maintenance requirements means that most of them are still in operational condition, with only a few examples left unrestored.
The British Rail Class 08 was the standard class of diesel locomotive designed for shunting. From 1953 to 1962, 996 locomotives were produced, making it the most numerous of all British locomotive classes and also the most successful locomotive ever produced by BR.
Often known as '350', that nickname refers to its engine power output of 350hp. These small locomotives can produce over 35,000lbs of tractive effort!
As shunting locomotives, they perform vital tasks like shunting the coaching stock, carriage cleaning and slow speed ballast work, PWAY trains and shunting out of steam, steam locomotives. They are essential for any preserved railway these days.
Swanage Railway (SR) has two 08 shunters at the railway and 08436 is the oldest one, being built in October 1958 at Derby. Many class 08’s remain in use on the mainline, estimated at over 100 with over 70 on preserved railways across the UK.
This “Gronk” as it is sometimes known was bought by the Swanage Railway in 2004 and has been in service almost continually since. After one of its overhauls, the class 08 was painted in the same livery as was applied to the Eastleigh works 08 shunter. It was seen in a photo of it and it was decided to paint this one and the same BREL scheme.
Uploaded
August 18th, 2023
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