Class 03 Profile and Models

Class 03

03090 at Locomotion Museum, Shildon in July 2009. ©Draco2008

The Class 03 was one of British Rail’s most successful diesel-mechanical shunter designs, with a large fleet produced that saw much use over the decades. Like other shunters, they were designed for light duties where a larger loco was not required. A reduction in demand for shunting locos meant that they were progressively withdrawn from 1968, although some were in use right up until 1998. One was subsequently used in the mid-2000s with First. Due to their robust design and high reliability, they are very popular with preserved railways.

(Information via Wikipedia)

Type of Locomotive

Diesel-Mechanical

Builder

BR Doncaster Works & BR Swindon Works

Build Date

1957 to 1961

Total Built

230

Power Output

204 hp

Tractive Effort

15,650 lbf

Top Speed

28.5 mph

Operators

British Rail, WAGN, First Capital Connect

Main Duties

Shunting

In Service Until

2008

Surviving Examples

56