Class 08 Profile and Models
08454 at Alstom Widnes in September 2019. ©Hattons Model Railways
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The Class 08 is one of the most numerous BR locomotive classes, with close to 1000 being produced between 1952 and 1962 at Crewe, Darlington, Doncaster and elsewhere. Over time, they became the standard shunter across the network and were an extremely common sight at stations and freight yards until the 1990s. The introduction of fixed wagon rakes and increase in the use of multiple units meant there was less need for shunters, so many were scrapped or sent overseas. More than 70 Class 08s have made it into preservation - making it one of the most numerous preserved locos in the UK! |
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Type of Locomotive |
Diesel-Electric |
|
Builder |
BR Crewe Works BR Darlington Works BR Derby Works BR Doncaster Works BR Horwich Works |
|
Build Dates |
1952 to 1962 |
|
Total Built |
996 |
|
Tractive Effort |
35,000 lbf |
|
Power Output |
350 hp |
|
Top Speed |
15 to 20 mph |
|
Wheel Configuration |
0-6-0 |
|
Operated By |
British Rail Abellio Greater Anglia Abellio Scotrail Arriva Rail North DB Cargo UK Derby Works East Midlands Trains/ Railway Eurostar EWS Foster Yeoman Freightliner GNER Great Western Railway (Modern) Harry Needle Railroad Co LNER (Modern) Mendip Rail Midland Mainline Network Rail Northern Rail Rail Express Systems Virgin Trains Virgin Trains East Coast West Coast Railway Company West Midlands Trains Various Other Industrial & Heritage Railways |
|
Main Duties |
Shunting |
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In Service Until |
Present |
|
Surviving Examples |
203 |
LSWR - London and South Western Railway
GER - Great Eastern Railway
Longmoor Military Railway
War Department
LMS black
LMS crimson lake
NCB - National Coal Board
BR non-standard
BR green with early emblem
BR plain black
BR black with early emblem
BR gulf red
BR maroon
BR black with late crest
BR green with late crest
BR blue
Railfreight grey (inc. Red Stripe)
Intercity
NSE - Network SouthEast
Railfreight 'Sector' triple grey
Departmental grey
Parcels sector
RES - Rail Express Systems
Railfreight Distribution (RFD)
Mainline Freight
EWS - English Welsh and Scottish
Midland Mainline
GNER - Great North Eastern Railway
Freightliner PLC
Anglia Railways
Virgin West Coast
SilverLink
First Great Western
Cotswold Rail
GBRf - GB Railfreight
Network Rail
DB Schenker / DB Cargo UK
Great Western Railway (2015)
Loram Rail Operations
Awaiting Categorisation
Freelance
Private Owner
Thomas the Tank Engine
(Fictitious) 
SR black
BR grey
BR research department
Provincial
East Midlands Trains
RSS - Railway Support Services
Unpainted
Products awaiting categorisation
| Scale | Brand | Image | Construction Type | DCC Capability | Product Code | Product Title | Livery |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OO Gauge (1:76 Scale) | Hornby |
|
RTR/RTUse/Pre-assembled | DCC Ready. 8-pin socket |
R2643 View |
Class 08 Shunter 'Noel Kirkbride' EWS. Never produced | EWS - English Welsh and Scottish |
| OO Gauge (1:76 Scale) | Kitmaster |
|
Requires assembly | Not set |
KM02 View |
Class 08 0-6-0 Diesel Electric shunter kit | Unpainted |
| OO Gauge (1:76 Scale) | Lima |
|
RTR/RTUse/Pre-assembled | DCC compatible but no socket. Pancake motor |
L149972 View |
Class 08 Shunter 08899 in Midland Mainline teal livery | Midland Mainline |
| OO Gauge (1:76 Scale) | Tri-ang |
|
Not set | Not set |
R1520 View |
Class 08 Shunter 1520 in Blue | BR blue |