BR_Class_03

British Rail Class 03

British Rail Class 03

Class of 230 204hp diesel-mechanical shunting locomotives

The British Rail Class 03 locomotive was, together with the similar Class 04, one of British Railways' most successful 0-6-0 diesel-mechanical shunters. 230 were built at Doncaster and Swindon works between 1957 and 1962, and were numbered D2000-D2199 and D2370-D2399 (later 03004 to 03399). D2370 and D2371 were used as departmental locomotives and originally numbered 91 and 92 respectively.

Quick Facts Type and origin, Power type ...

Overview

Like other shunters of this size, the Class 03 was built for light duties where a larger locomotive was not needed, especially for shunting at locomotive and carriage depots and as station pilots, or where larger or heavier locomotives could not be used. The reduction over time in the demand for shunting locomotives meant that they were progressively withdrawn from 1968 onwards, many being sold to private industry, including three that were exported to Belgium. However, some remained in service much longer, with two examples on the Isle of Wight lasting until 1993 (mainland examples had gone by 1987).

In 1998, one of the Isle of Wight locos, 03179, was reinstated by the West Anglia Great Northern for service at Hornsey depot. It was named Clive after a depot employee.[2] It was not fitted with Train Protection & Warning System equipment and thus confined to the depot from 2002.[3] It was operated subsequently by First Capital Connect until withdrawal in 2008. In 2016 it was sold by Govia Thameslink Railway to the Rushden, Higham and Wellingborough Railway.[4][5][6]

Technical details

The engine is a Gardner 8-cylinder, 4-stroke 8L3 of 204 hp (152 kW) connected to a Wilson-Drewry CA5 R7, 5-speed epicyclic gearbox with RF11 spiral bevel reverse and final-drive unit. Drive is through a jackshaft mounted beneath the cab, driving the wheels through coupling rods.

During their later life, some locomotives were fitted with dual (air and vacuum) brakes. These were 03059, 03063, 03073, 03078, 03084, 03086, 03089, 03094, 03112, 03152, 03158, 03162, 03179, 03180, 03197, 03371, 03397 and 03399.

Operation

Shunting

Originally the Class 03s were often deployed where their attributes of short wheelbase and light weight enabled them to operate where other shunters could not. On lines such as that to Ipswich docks, bridge weight restrictions prevented the ubiquitous Class 08s from operating. Another common use was as station pilot, usually coupled to a shunters' truck to ensure operation of track circuits which did not always register the passage of the 03 due to its short wheelbase.

By 1979, Class 03s' operations included:[7]

Passenger duties

Despite the limited scope for the use of such a small locomotive on main line passenger duties, there were a number of duties rostered to the class. During the early 1970s Southern Region Class 03s worked Channel Islands boat trains through the streets to the harbour along the Weymouth Harbour Tramway, displacing the last of the 1366 Class 0-6-0 pannier tanks.[8] In 1980, a Class 03 at Ipswich was booked to shunt the 23:20 Peterborough – Liverpool Street onto the rear of the 23:45 Norwich – Liverpool Street.[9] Also, according to Mangapps Railway Museum,[10] 03089 once hauled a Blackpool to Scarborough express along the York to Scarborough Line from Malton to Scarborough.

Burry Port & Gwendraeth Valley Line

Several examples were rebuilt with cut-down cabs for working on the Burry Port & Gwendraeth Valley Line, as there were several low bridges on the line that precluded the use of normal height locomotives.

The modified examples were nos. 03119, 03120, 03141, 03142, 03144, 03145, 03151, 03152 and late addition (ex-Bristol) 03382.[11] Their duties included shunting (for example at Burry Port), and hauling full coal trains down from the valley's pits. For this latter duty they sometimes worked triple-headed.

They were replaced by Class 08/9 locomotives, which were also rebuilt to a reduced height. Several cut-down locomotives have been preserved.

The Isle of Wight shunters, nos. 03079 and 03179, were also rebuilt with cut-down cabs, to enable them to pass through a low tunnel in Ryde.

Preservation

Fifty-six members of the class survive in preservation.

Loco numbers in bold mean their current number.

More information TOPSNumber, Pre-TOPS ...

Model railways

Mainline Railways and Replica each offered OO gauge models.[79] Mainline Railways introduced their OO gauge Class 03s in 1983; one in BR green and 03382 in BR blue.[80] Mainline's original 'split-chassis' tooling later passed to Bachmann. When the company later took the decision to produce the Class 04 in its place the tooling was altered, retaining the split chassis power arrangement. However, Bachmann later announced that they would be producing a totally new 03 in OO gauge, including special edition examples of the Isle of Wight prototypes.[81]

Graham Farish currently offers a British N gauge model.[82] Past models have included D2388 in BR green livery and 03066 in BR blue livery.[83]

Heljan currently offer a model in O gauge (7mm), which is available in BR green or rail blue with chevrons.

Notes

  1. [N 1]
    03073 was allocated to Birkenhead North and used on the Birkenhead Dock Branch, prior to withdrawal on 23 May 1989.[31][32]
  2. [N 2]
    In 1983, 03162 was a replacement for 03196 at Birkenhead.[59] 03162 was allocated to Birkenhead North, prior to withdrawal on 23 May 1989. The locomotive has a non-standard cone chimney and vertical air horn. Named Birkenhead South 1879-1985 and repainted in BR green livery on 8 January 1987.[60][61]
  3. [N 3]
    03170 was used on the Birkenhead Dock Branch prior to withdrawal in March 1989.[64]
  4. [N 4]
    03196 was used at Birkenhead prior to withdrawal. The locomotive was sold to a private buyer, then moved to Carnforth on 15 June 1983, having been replaced at Birkenhead by 03162.[59]

References

  1. [1]
    "Vehicle Diagram Book No. 120 for shunting diesel locomotives" (PDF). Barrowmore MRG. BRB Residuary Ltd. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 August 2019.
  2. [2]
    WAGN 03 named Clive at King's Cross ceremony Rail issue 341 7 October 1998
  3. [3]
    No main line runabouts for WAGN Clive Rail issue 446 16 October 2002 page 57
  4. [4]
    GTR disposes of final Class 03 Rail issue 806 3 August 2016 page 29
  5. [5]
    Final main lne 03 enters preservation Rail Express September 2016 page 16
  6. [6]
    Clive finally Preserved Railways Illustrated October 2016 page 12
  7. [7]
    Woodley, Geoff; Wood, Ron (1979). Shunter Duties. Inter City Railway Society.
  8. [8]
    Caddy, C L. Weymouth Quay Tramway. Weymouth: Dorset Railway Circle. p. 5.
  9. [9]
    Lund, E (1980). To the last drop. Chesterfield: Longden technical Publications. ISBN 0-9507063-0-2.
  10. [10]
    "Stock List: Locomotives". Mangapps Railway Museum. Retrieved 7 February 2016.
  11. [11]
    Williams, Alan; Percival, David (May 1977). British Railways Locomotives and Multiple Units including Preserved Locomotives 1977 Combined Volume. Shepperton: Ian Allan Ltd. ISBN 0-7110-0751-9. CXX/0577.
  12. [12]
    Industrial Locomotives 1982 including preserved and minor railway locomotives. Industrial Railway Society. 1982. ISBN 0-901096-43-1.
  13. [13]
    "Class 03 : : 03018". Preserved Shunters. Archived from the original on 4 February 2012.
  14. [14]
    "Class 03 : : 03020". Preserved Shunters. Archived from the original on 4 February 2012.
  15. [15]
    "Class 03 : : 03022". Preserved Shunters. Archived from the original on 4 February 2012.
  16. [16]
    "Class 03 : : D2023". Preserved Shunters. Archived from the original on 4 February 2012.
  17. [17]
    "Class 03 : : D2024". Preserved Shunters. Archived from the original on 4 February 2012.
  18. [18]
    "Class 03 : : 03027". Preserved Shunters. Archived from the original on 4 February 2012.
  19. [19]
    "Class 03 : : 03037". Preserved Shunters. Archived from the original on 4 February 2012.
  20. [20]
    "Class 03 : : D2041". Preserved Shunters. Archived from the original on 4 February 2012.
  21. [21]
    "Class 03 : : D2051". Preserved Shunters. Archived from the original on 4 February 2012.
  22. [22]
    "Isle of Wight Steam Railway: Diesel Locomotives". iwsteamrailway.co.uk. Archived from the original on 7 May 2019. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  23. [23]
    "Class 03 : : 03059". Preserved Shunters. Archived from the original on 4 February 2012.
  24. [24]
    "Class 03 : : 03062". Preserved Shunters. Archived from the original on 4 February 2012.
  25. [25]
    "Mid-Norfolk Railway receives Class 03 shunter locomotive". RailAdvent. 14 November 2023.
  26. [26]
    "Class 03 : : 03066". Preserved Shunters. Archived from the original on 4 February 2012.
  27. [27]
    "D2069 Class 03 Shunter". Vale of Berkeley Railway. Archived from the original on 26 November 2021. Retrieved 10 November 2020.
  28. [28]
    "Class 03 : : 03069". Preserved Shunters. Archived from the original on 4 February 2012.
  29. [29]
    "Class 03 : : 03072". Preserved Shunters. Archived from the original on 4 February 2012.
  30. [30]
    "Class 03 : : 03073". PreservedShunters. Archived from the original on 4 February 2012.
  31. [31]
    "Memories of Edge Hill, Birkenhead & Beyond". derbysulzers.com. Retrieved 6 February 2016.
  32. [32]
    "Results for D2073 03073". Railway Database. Archived from the original on 14 February 2016. Retrieved 6 February 2016.
  33. [33]
    "Class 03 : : 03078". Preserved Shunters. Archived from the original on 4 February 2012.
  34. [34]
    "Class 03 : : 03079". Preserved Shunters. Archived from the original on 14 March 2012.
  35. [35]
    Final Class 03 withdrawn The Railway Magazine issue 1145 September 1996 page 61
  36. [36]
    "AbRail Rail Databases – Preserved Diesel & Electric Locomotives". AbRail. Retrieved 7 February 2016.
  37. [37]
    "Class 03 : : 03090". Preserved Shunters. Archived from the original on 14 March 2012.
  38. [38]
    "Class 03 : : 03094". Preserved Shunters. Archived from the original on 14 March 2012.
  39. [39]
    "Class 03 : : 03099". Preserved Shunters. Archived from the original on 14 March 2012.
  40. [40]
    "Class 03 : : 03113". Preserved Shunters. Archived from the original on 14 March 2012.
  41. [41]
    "Class 03 : : D2117". Preserved Shunters. Archived from the original on 14 March 2012.
  42. [42]
    "Class 03 : : D2118". Preserved Shunters. Archived from the original on 14 March 2012.
  43. [43]
    "Class 03 : : 03119". Preserved Shunters. Archived from the original on 14 March 2012.
  44. [44]
    "Class 03 : : 03120". Preserved Shunters. Archived from the original on 14 March 2012.
  45. [45]
    Class 03 repatriated from Belgium The Railway Magazine issue 1109 September 1993 page 33
  46. [46]
    "D2128 – Swindon-built class 03". Andrew Briddon Locos. Archived from the original on 21 August 2013.
  47. [47]
    "Class 03 : : D2133". Preserved Shunters. Archived from the original on 14 March 2012.
  48. [48]
    "Class 03 : : 03134". Preserved Shunters. Archived from the original on 14 March 2012.
  49. [49]
    "Class 03 : : D2138". Preserved Shunters. Archived from the original on 14 March 2012.
  50. [50]
    "Class 03 : : D2139". Preserved Shunters. Archived from the original on 14 March 2012.
  51. [51]
    "Class 03 : : 03141". Preserved Shunters. Archived from the original on 14 March 2012.
  52. [52]
    "Class 03 : : 03144". Preserved Shunters. Archived from the original on 14 March 2012.
  53. [53]
    "Class 03 : : 03145". Preserved Shunters. Archived from the original on 14 March 2012.
  54. [54]
    "Class 03 : : D2148". Preserved Shunters. Archived from the original on 14 March 2012.
  55. [55]
    "Class 03 : : 03152". Preserved Shunters. Archived from the original on 14 March 2012.
  56. [56]
    "Class 03 : : 03158". Preserved Shunters. Archived from the original on 14 March 2012.
  57. [57]
    xp64mag.co.uk [full citation needed]
  58. [58]
    "Class 03 : : 03162". PreservedShunters. Archived from the original on 14 March 2012.
  59. [59]
    "Readers' round-up". Rail Enthusiast. EMAP National Publications. August 1983. p. 43. ISSN 0262-561X. OCLC 49957965.
  60. [60]
    "D2162 / 03162". Llangollen Railway. Retrieved 6 February 2016.
  61. [61]
    "Results for D2162 03162". Railway Database. Archived from the original on 14 February 2016. Retrieved 6 February 2016.
  62. [62]
    "Rolling Stock Department Diesel Locomotives". Epping Ongar Railway. Archived from the original on 14 November 2015. Retrieved 2 December 2015.
  63. [63]
    "Class 03 : : 03170". PreservedShunters. Archived from the original on 20 January 2008.
  64. [64]
    Hendry & Hendry 1992, p. 125
  65. [65]
    "Class 03 : : D2178". Preserved Shunters. Archived from the original on 20 January 2008.
  66. [66]
    Class 03 unveiled in WAGN livery The Railway Magazine issue 1172 December 1998 page 61
  67. [67]
    "Class 03 : : 03180". Preserved Shunters. Archived from the original on 20 January 2008.
  68. [68]
    "Class 03 : : D2182". Preserved Shunters. Archived from the original on 20 January 2008.
  69. [69]
    "Class 03 : : D2184". Preserved Shunters. Archived from the original on 20 January 2008.
  70. [70]
    "Class 03 : : 03189". PreservedShunters. Archived from the original on 20 January 2008.
  71. [71]
    "Class 03 : : D2192". Preserved Shunters. Archived from the original on 20 January 2008.
  72. [72]
    "Class 03 : : 03196". Preserved Shunters. Archived from the original on 20 January 2008.
  73. [73]
    "Class 03 : : 03197". Preserved Shunters. Archived from the original on 20 January 2008.
  74. [74]
    Barclay Locomotive Group buys a British Coal 03 Rail Enthusiast issue 73 October 1987 page 10
  75. [75]
    "Class 03 : : D2199". Preserved Shunters. Archived from the original on 20 January 2008.
  76. [76]
    "Class 03 : : 03371". Preserved Shunters. Archived from the original on 20 January 2008.
  77. [77]
    "Class 03 : : D2381". Preserved Shunters. Archived from the original on 20 January 2008.
  78. [78]
    "Class 03 : : 03399". Preserved Shunters. Archived from the original on 20 January 2008.
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    "Everyone likes Class 03 shunters don't they?". Rail Exclusive. Retrieved 2 December 2015.
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    "Mainline's big plans for 1983". Rail Enthusiast. EMAP National Publications. March 1983. pp. 36–7. ISSN 0262-561X. OCLC 49957965.
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    Bayer, Gareth (16 September 2010). "REM: Shunter Clive is Bachmann Club release". Rail Express. Retrieved 7 February 2016.[permanent dead link]
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    "Graham Farish: BR Class 03 diesel shunter". Model Trains International (97). Retrieved 2 December 2015.
  83. [83]
    "Graham Farish Products by item number" (PDF). Bachmann. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 7 February 2016.

Sources

  • Hendry, R. Preston; Hendry, R. Powell (1992). Paddington to the Mersey: G.W.R's Forgotten Route from London to Birkenhead. OPC Railprint. ISBN 9780860934424. OCLC 24736274.

Further reading

Media related to British Rail Class 03 at Wikimedia Commons
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