Description

Diesel shunters were the unsung heroes of the  traction fleet.  Several classes, some large, some very small, toiled away in yards throughout the network.  Some types were built in large numbers, like the 350 horsepower 08s.  Others were grouped into smaller classes, like the 06s, which had short working lives. Others performed a wider variety of roles, working trip freight as well as heavier shunting duties. In this programme we explore this fleet in action, using a collection of archive film and contemporary footage.

The programme includes:

A history of the diesel shunter fleet starting in the 1930s.

Class 02 – an 0-4-0 design introduced in 1960.

Class 03 – an 0-6-0 diesel mechanical design, following the introduction of the class, with film from their early years around the network including East Anglia, the Cromford & High Peak and the Weymouth Tramway plus examples in preservation and in Industrial service.

Class 04 – an 0-6-0 diesel mechanical design with film from the 1960s and examples in preservation.

Class 06 – a diminutive 0-4-0 class of 16 with archive film from the 1960s.

Class 07 – A Southern Region based class used for shunting & trip freight.

Class 08 – the most numerous class of British diesel locomotive. The design is explored using archive film from the 1950s to the present day. The early locos produced in 1952 are featured along with the later examples introduced in the 1960s.

Class 09 – the 1960s built locos plus the conversions from 08s in the early  1990s.

Class 14 – the short lived ‘Teddy Bears’ built at Swindon in BR service and in the preservation era.

Class 17 – the Clayton Type 1s produced mostly for short distance freight.

1hr 23mins