Locomotive Class

Class 08

Class 08 Class: Class 08
Type: Diesel-Electric
Designer: British Railways
Weight: 49 tons
Purpose: Shunting

Information: Class 08 diesel shunters were the most numerous diesel-electric locomotive design employed by British Railways. The antiquated outward appearance of the class finds roots in early experimentation with diesel locomotives by the London Midland Scottish Railways (LMS) during the 1930’s.

Details: Ironically, some of the earliest experimentations in diesel propulsion on Britain came about because of inefficiencies of steam in goods shunting operations. In the 1930’s, when the concept was first put forward and 1960’s freight was handled in individual wagon loads at numerous shunting yards across Britain. The LMS saw the answer to improved operation and efficiencies through the newly developed German diesel engine design. Between 1939 and 1942 the LMS built 9 examples of what would later be designated by TOPS as the Class 11; the basis for the 08 design.
After nationalisation British Railways continued to build the Class 11 locomotives, but experimentation in transmission gear ratios ultimately resulted in the Class 08 being designated a separate Class.
In the heyday of individual wagon shunting a total of 996 Class 08’s were built at Crewe, Derby, Horwch, Doncaster, and Darlington during the years between 1953 and 1962. Nick-named “Gronks” the class were often ignored by enthusiasts due to their lowly role. The locomotives were restricted to a top-speed of 20-MPH.
With diminished work due to cut-backs on British Railways during the early 1960’s, the first member of the Class, D3193 was withdrawn in 1967. Today the usefulness of the 08 remains limited in the current railway environment, but limited use does indeed remain for which a number of 08’s are still active. Many withdrawn 08’s are still active across the country having found a new lease of life on preserved Heritage Railways and Private Industrial Railways, where their worth is highly regarded. Nearly 70-years after their introduction the diesels have proven their success as the most practical answer for their intended service and no-doubt will remain a testament to their original designers.

John Faulkner

Class 08 Releases (52)

MODEL NO. LIVERY
0-6-0 Diesel Shunter
Released: 1959 1959a 1960 1961
D3005 B.R. Green
0-6-0 Diesel Shunter
Released: 1960a 1961a
13005 T.R. Various
0-6-0 Diesel Shunter
Released: 1956 1957 1958
13005 B.R. Black
0-6-0 Diesel-Electric Yard Switcher (Canada)
Released: 1973c
1520 Private Owner Diesel Locomotive
B.R. Diesel Freight Pack (Class 08)
Released: 2008r 2009r 2010r 2011r
08513 B.R. Parcels Sector
BRML Class 08 Diesel Electric Shunter
Released: 2003
08642 Private Owner Diesel Locomotive
Class 08 0-6-0 Diesel Electric Shunter
Released: 1995 1996
08933 B.R. Railfreight Grey
Class 08 0-6-0 Diesel Shunter
Released: 1977 1978 1979
13012 B.R. Green
Class 08 0-6-0 Diesel Shunter D3035 B.R. Blue
Class 08 0-6-0 Diesel Shunter
Released: 1980 1981
D3010 B.R. Green
Class 08 0-6-0 Diesel Shunter
Released: 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985
08201 B.R. Blue
Class 08 0-6-0 Diesel Shunter
Released: 1986 1987 1988
08938 B.R. Railfreight
Class 08 0-6-0 Diesel Shunter - Piccadilly
Released: 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 2011
08673 B.R. Inter City
Class 08 0-6-0 Diesel Shunter - The Sorter
Released: 1993 1994
08633 B.R. Parcels Sector
Class 08 0-6-0 Diesel Shunting Locomotive D3035 B.R. Green
Class 08 Diesel Electric Shunter
Released: 2000
08531 B.R. Green
Class 08 Diesel Electric Shunter
Released: 2000 2001 2002
08828 EWS Maroon & Yellow
Class 08 Diesel Electric Shunter
Released: 1997 1998
08523 Mainline Blue
Class 08 Diesel Electric Shunter
Released: 2001 2002
08810 Anglia Blue
Class 08 Diesel Electric Shunter
Released: 2001 2002
08531 B.R. Green
Class 08 Diesel Electric Shunter
Released: 2001 2002 2003
08096 B.R. Green
Class 08 Diesel Electric Shunter
Released: 2003
3973 L.M.S. Crimson
Class 08 Diesel Electric Shunter
Released: 2005
3256 B.R. Green
Class 08 Diesel Electric Shunter
Released: 2005
08402 B.R. Blue
Class 08 Diesel Electric Shunter
Released: 2006 2007
08528 B.R. Blue
Class 08 Diesel Electric Shunter
Released: 2006 2007 2008
D3200 B.R. Green
Class 08 Diesel Electric Shunter
Released: 2006 2007 2008
08530 Freightliner Green
Class 08 Diesel Electric Shunter
Released: 2006 2007 2008
08847 Cotswold Grey
Class 08 Diesel Electric Shunter
Released: 2006 2007 2008
08847 Cotswold Grey
Class 08 Diesel Electric Shunter
Released: 2006 2007
08630 EWS Maroon & Yellow
Class 08 Diesel Electric Shunter
Released: 2008
08799 EWS Maroon & Yellow
Class 08 Diesel Electric Shunter
Released: 2010 2011
08865 EWS Maroon & Yellow
Class 08 Diesel Electric Shunter
Released: 2006 2007 2008 2009
D4093 B.R. Green
Class 08 Diesel Electric Shunter (DCC Locomotive with Sound)
Released: 2010 2011
08844 EWS Maroon & Yellow
Class 08 Diesel Electric Shunter (DCC Locomotive with Sound)
Released: 2010 2011
D3105 B.R. Green
Class 08 Diesel Electric Shunter (DCC Locomotive with Sound)
Released: 2011
D3963 B.R. Green
Class 08 Diesel Electric Shunter (DCC Locomotive with Sound)
Released: 2011
D3511 B.R. Green
Class 08 Diesel Electric Shunter (DCC Locomotive with Sound)
Released: 2011
08661 B.R. Railfreight 2-Tone Grey
Class 08 Diesel Electric Shunter (DCC)
Released: 2010 2011
D4174 B.R. Green
Class 08 Diesel Electric Shunter (Weathered)
Released: 2002 2003
08830 B.R. Blue
Class 08 Diesel Electric Shunter (Weathered)
Released: 2006 2007 2008
08419 B.R. Blue
Class 08 Diesel Electric Shunter - Dave 2
Released: 2009 2010
08676 EWS Maroon & Yellow
Class 08 Diesel Electric Shunter - Europa
Released: 1997 1998
08661 B.R. Railfreight 2-Tone Grey
Class 08 Diesel Electric Shunter - St. Rollox
Released: 2004
08568 Private Owner Diesel Locomotive
Class 08 Diesel Electric Shunter - Stephen Dent
Released: 1999
08896 EWS Maroon & Yellow
Class 08 Diesel Electric Shunter - Thomas
Released: 1999 2000 2001
1 Private Owner Diesel Locomotive
Class 08 Diesel Shunter
Released: 1987 1988
08201 B.R. Blue
Class 08 Diesel Shunter
Released: 2010
D3509 B.R. Green
Class 08 Diesel Shunter - Thomas
Released: 2008r 2009r 2010r 2011r
1 Private Owner Diesel Locomotive
Class 12 (Class 08) 0-6-0 Diesel Shunter
Released: 1976
13005 B.R. Green
Diesel Locomotive
Released: 1982 1983
17 ---
Serco Class 08 0-6-0 Diesel Shunter
Released: 2011
08417 Private Owner Diesel Locomotive

Class 08 Images (52)

0-6-0 Diesel Shunter
0-6-0 Diesel Shunter D3005

0-6-0 Diesel Shunter
0-6-0 Diesel Shunter 13005

0-6-0 Diesel Shunter
0-6-0 Diesel Shunter 13005

0-6-0 Diesel-Electric Yard Switcher (Canada)
0-6-0 Diesel-Electric Yard Switcher (Canada) 1520

B.R. Diesel Freight Pack (Class 08)
B.R. Diesel Freight Pack (Class 08) 08513

BRML Class 08 Diesel Electric Shunter
BRML Class 08 Diesel Electric Shunter 08642

Class 08 0-6-0 Diesel Electric Shunter
Class 08 0-6-0 Diesel Electric Shunter 08933

Class 08 0-6-0 Diesel Shunter
Class 08 0-6-0 Diesel Shunter 13012

Class 08 0-6-0 Diesel Shunter
Class 08 0-6-0 Diesel Shunter D3035

Class 08 0-6-0 Diesel Shunter
Class 08 0-6-0 Diesel Shunter D3010

Class 08 0-6-0 Diesel Shunter
Class 08 0-6-0 Diesel Shunter 08201

Class 08 0-6-0 Diesel Shunter
Class 08 0-6-0 Diesel Shunter 08938

Class 08 0-6-0 Diesel Shunter - Piccadilly
Class 08 0-6-0 Diesel Shunter - Piccadilly 08673

Class 08 0-6-0 Diesel Shunter - The Sorter
Class 08 0-6-0 Diesel Shunter - The Sorter 08633

Class 08 0-6-0 Diesel Shunting Locomotive
Class 08 0-6-0 Diesel Shunting Locomotive D3035

Class 08 Diesel Electric Shunter
Class 08 Diesel Electric Shunter 08531

Class 08 Diesel Electric Shunter
Class 08 Diesel Electric Shunter 08828

Class 08 Diesel Electric Shunter
Class 08 Diesel Electric Shunter 08523

Class 08 Diesel Electric Shunter
Class 08 Diesel Electric Shunter 08810

Class 08 Diesel Electric Shunter
Class 08 Diesel Electric Shunter 08531

Class 08 Diesel Electric Shunter
Class 08 Diesel Electric Shunter 08096

Class 08 Diesel Electric Shunter
Class 08 Diesel Electric Shunter 3973

Class 08 Diesel Electric Shunter
Class 08 Diesel Electric Shunter 3256

Class 08 Diesel Electric Shunter
Class 08 Diesel Electric Shunter 08402

Class 08 Diesel Electric Shunter
Class 08 Diesel Electric Shunter 08528

Class 08 Diesel Electric Shunter
Class 08 Diesel Electric Shunter D3200

Class 08 Diesel Electric Shunter
Class 08 Diesel Electric Shunter 08530

Class 08 Diesel Electric Shunter
Class 08 Diesel Electric Shunter 08847

Class 08 Diesel Electric Shunter
Class 08 Diesel Electric Shunter 08847

Class 08 Diesel Electric Shunter
Class 08 Diesel Electric Shunter 08630

Class 08 Diesel Electric Shunter
Class 08 Diesel Electric Shunter 08799

Class 08 Diesel Electric Shunter
Class 08 Diesel Electric Shunter 08865

Class 08 Diesel Electric Shunter
Class 08 Diesel Electric Shunter D4093

Class 08 Diesel Electric Shunter (DCC Locomotive with Sound)
Class 08 Diesel Electric Shunter (DCC Locomotive with Sound) 08844

Class 08 Diesel Electric Shunter (DCC Locomotive with Sound)
Class 08 Diesel Electric Shunter (DCC Locomotive with Sound) D3105

Class 08 Diesel Electric Shunter (DCC Locomotive with Sound)
Class 08 Diesel Electric Shunter (DCC Locomotive with Sound) D3963

Class 08 Diesel Electric Shunter (DCC Locomotive with Sound)
Class 08 Diesel Electric Shunter (DCC Locomotive with Sound) D3511

Class 08 Diesel Electric Shunter (DCC Locomotive with Sound)
Class 08 Diesel Electric Shunter (DCC Locomotive with Sound) 08661

Class 08 Diesel Electric Shunter (DCC)
Class 08 Diesel Electric Shunter (DCC) D4174

Class 08 Diesel Electric Shunter (Weathered)
Class 08 Diesel Electric Shunter (Weathered) 08830

Class 08 Diesel Electric Shunter (Weathered)
Class 08 Diesel Electric Shunter (Weathered) 08419

Class 08 Diesel Electric Shunter - Dave 2
Class 08 Diesel Electric Shunter - Dave 2 08676

Class 08 Diesel Electric Shunter - Europa
Class 08 Diesel Electric Shunter - Europa 08661

Class 08 Diesel Electric Shunter - St. Rollox
Class 08 Diesel Electric Shunter - St. Rollox 08568

Class 08 Diesel Electric Shunter - Stephen Dent
Class 08 Diesel Electric Shunter - Stephen Dent 08896

Class 08 Diesel Electric Shunter - Thomas
Class 08 Diesel Electric Shunter - Thomas 1

Class 08 Diesel Shunter
Class 08 Diesel Shunter 08201

Class 08 Diesel Shunter
Class 08 Diesel Shunter D3509

Class 08 Diesel Shunter - Thomas
Class 08 Diesel Shunter - Thomas 1

Class 12 (Class 08) 0-6-0 Diesel Shunter
Class 12 (Class 08) 0-6-0 Diesel Shunter 13005

Diesel Locomotive
Diesel Locomotive 17

Serco Class 08 0-6-0 Diesel Shunter
Serco Class 08 0-6-0 Diesel Shunter 08417


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Database

11,328 yearly Items over 57 Years.
4,069 individual Items.
3,707 Models.
362 catalogued Train Sets.
156 Train Packs.
820 Steam Locomotives.
497 Diesel Locomotives.
1,082 Passenger Coaches.
1,152 Freight Wagons.


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