The British Rail Class 03locomotive was, together with the similar Class 04, one of British Railways' most successful 0-6-0diesel-mechanicalshunters. 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.
Overview
The fleet of 230 locomotives entered service between December 1957 and June 1962.[3] 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 The reduction over time in the demand for shunting locomotives meant that they were progressively withdrawn from 1968 onwards, many being sold to private industry, including three that were exported to Belgium.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 1989, the last being those allocated to Birkenhead North TMD, for use on the Birkenhead Dock Branch.[4]
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.
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.[14] 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.
Cohen's scrapyard, Cransley, Kettering until 20 September 1980 and Cohen's scrapyard Willesden from 28 March 1981. Then to 600 Ferrous Fragmentisers Ltd., Willesden.[15]
Used as a general purpose shunter, and also to supplement any locomotive that has broken down. D2059 arrived on the Island during the electrification works to the Island Line, and remained in use by British Rail at Ryde Traincare Depot until 1988, when it was transferred to the Isle of Wight Steam Railway. D2059 is affectionately nicknamed Edward by the Isle of Wight Steam Railway's staff.[25]
03063 was released from Doncaster Work on 14 July 1959 originally as D2063, under Pre-TOPS, and was allocated to the York North (50A). The locomotive was then bequeathed to the Mid-Norfolk Railway in 2023 upon the passing of its owner, the late Paul Mobbs. It was moved to the MNR in November 2023.
Worked at Gateshead before moving to the Isle of Wight along with 03179. This loco has a cut-down cab owing to the low tunnels at Ryde, withdrawn 1996.
D2113 spent its entire B.R. life at York (50A), it was sold to Gulf Oil at Milford Haven upon withdrawal from BR service in August 1975 as 03113. For a number of years, after becoming surplus to the Gulf Refinery, it was placed on display, along with a four-wheel petroleum wagon, in Milford Haven Harbour. It is now preserved by the Heritage Shunters Trust at Rowsley in Derbyshire, entering service following full restoration during 2011.
Sold for scrap to Birds, Long Marston, where engine and coupling removed and then exported to Belgium where fitted with Deutz V12 air-cooled engine, VM hydraulic pump and motor into original change speed box. Repatriated and operated at Peak Rail, eventually to Dean Forest where stored incomplete. Moved to Scunthorpe 2009, where repowered with Cummins 14 litre engine, hydraulic transmission and renumbered 03 901 to reflect this
Worked on the Isle of Wight along with 03079. This loco (03179 Clive) has a cut-down cab owing to the low tunnels at Ryde. This engine was the last 03 to work for a main-line company, before being preserved. Also notable was its naming ceremony at Kings Cross station.[68]
Sold to National Coal Board in 1974 after being overhauled and fitted with air brakes at Doncaster Works. Worked at Rockingham, North Gawber and Royston until being placed into store at Monkton in 1984. Was on hire to Eurotunnel as Cheriton Depot shunter 8/4/97.Was on loan to Hanson Aggregates, Machen Quarry near Newport 2003 (?)-2006
Mainline Railways and Replica each offered OO gauge models.[81] Mainline Railways introduced their OO gauge Class 03s in 1983; one in BR green and 03382 in BR blue.[82] 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 Class 03 in OO gauge, which was introduced in 2010.[83] In early 2011, Modelzone released special edition examples of the Isle of Wight prototypes, which were produced by Bachmann.[84][85]
In 2008, Bachmann introduced O gauge brass models of the Class 03 in BR green and BR blue liveries.[88]Heljan currently offer a model in O gauge (7mm), which is available in BR green or rail blue with chevrons.
^In 1983, 03162 was a replacement for 03196 at Birkenhead.[62] 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.[63][64]
^03170 was used on the Birkenhead Dock Branch prior to withdrawal in March 1989.[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.[62]
^Green-Hughes, Evan (November 2010). "The Class 03 Diesel Shunter". Hornby Magazine. No. 41. Hersham: Ian Allan Publishing. pp. 74–75. ISSN1753-2469. OCLC226087101.
^Williams, Alan; Percival, David (May 1977). British Railways Locomotives and Multiple Units including Preserved Locomotives 1977 Combined Volume. Shepperton: Ian Allan Ltd. ISBN0-7110-0751-9. CXX/0577.
^ abcdefghiIndustrial Locomotives 1982 including preserved and minor railway locomotives. Industrial Railway Society. 1982. ISBN0-901096-43-1.
^Wild, Mike (November 2010). "Bachmann Class 03 Diesel Shunter Debuts". Hornby Magazine. No. 41. Hersham: Ian Allan Publishing. pp. 72–73. ISSN1753-2469. OCLC226087101.
^Wild, Mike (February 2011). "Network SouthEast shunter by Modelzone". Hornby Magazine. No. 44. Hersham: Ian Allan Publishing. p. 82. ISSN1753-2469. OCLC226087101.
^"Brassworks 2-6-4T and '03' released". Hornby Magazine. No. 9. Hersham: Ian Allan Publishing. March 2008. p. 21. ISSN1753-2469. OCLC226087101.
Sources
Hendry, R. Preston; Hendry, R. Powell (1992). Paddington to the Mersey: G.W.R's Forgotten Route from London to Birkenhead. OPC Railprint. ISBN9780860934424. OCLC24736274.
Further reading
Heavyside, Tom (April 2010). "Birkenhead Class 03s". BackTrack. Vol. 24, no. 4. Pendragon Publishing. ISSN0955-5382.