The British Rail Class 06 is a class of 0-4-0 diesel-mechanical shunters built by Andrew Barclay Sons and Company from 1958[1] to 1960 for use on the Scottish Region of British Railways. They were originally numbered D2410–D2444 and survivors after 1973 were given the TOPS numbers 06001–06010.

British Rail Class 06
06009 operating as 'works pilot' at Dunfermline Townhill in July 1975. It was withdrawn the following month.
Type and origin
Power typeDiesel-mechanical
BuilderAndrew Barclay Sons & Co.
Serial number425–439, 452–471
Build date1958–1960
Total produced35
Specifications
Configuration:
 • Whyte0-4-0
 • UICB
Gauge4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm)
Wheel diameter3 ft 7 in (1.092 m)
Wheelbase7 ft 0 in (2.134 m)
Length25 ft 11 in (7.90 m)
Width8 ft 5 in (2.565 m)
Height11 ft 10+316 in (3.612 m)
Loco weight37.30 long tons (37.9 t; 41.8 short tons)
Fuel capacity325 imp gal (1,480 L; 390 US gal)
Prime moverGardner 8L3
TransmissionWilson-Drewry CA5 5-speed epicyclic gearbox, Vulcan-Sinclair type 23 fluid coupling, Wiseman type 15 RLGB reversing gearbox and final drive
Train brakesVacuum
Performance figures
Maximum speed22.8 mph (36.7 km/h)
Power outputEngine: 204 hp (152 kW)
Tractive effortMaximum: 19,800 lbf (88.1 kN)
Brakeforce15 long tons-force (149 kN)
Career
OperatorsBritish Railways
NumbersD2410–D2444, later 06001–06010
Axle load classRA 6 (RA 5 from 1969)
Retired1967–1981
DispositionOne preserved, remainder scrapped

Technical details

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The engine is a Gardner 8-cylinder 4 stroke "8L3" connected to a Wilson-Drewry CA5 5-speed epicyclic gearbox with a Vulcan-Sinclair type 23 fluid coupling and a Wiseman type 15 RLGB gearbox.

While all technically similar, the locomotives had two different designs for the back of the cab, the first 15 locomotives having three windows, the remaining 20, having two.[2]

Numbering

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They were originally numbered D2410–D2444. The ten still in service in January 1973, nos. D2413/14/20–23/26/37/40/44, were given the TOPS numbers 06001–06010.[2]

D-number TOPS Number Allocation in February 1977 [3][full citation needed] Image Status Notes
D2410 Withdrawn Scrapped
D2411 Withdrawn Scrapped
D2412 Withdrawn Scrapped
D2413 06001 Withdrawn Scrapped
D2414 06002 DT Scrapped
D2415 Withdrawn Scrapped
D2416 Withdrawn Scrapped
D2417 Withdrawn Scrapped
D2418 Withdrawn Scrapped
D2419 Withdrawn Scrapped
D2420 06003 ED   Preserved For a considerable time, at Eastfield depot, carried the number 206003
D2421 06004 DE Scrapped
D2422 06005 DE Scrapped
D2423 06006 AB   Scrapped
D2424 Withdrawn Scrapped
D2425 Withdrawn Scrapped
D2426 06007 DT Scrapped
D2427 Withdrawn Scrapped
D2428 Withdrawn Scrapped
D2429 Withdrawn Scrapped
D2430 Withdrawn Scrapped
D2431 Withdrawn Scrapped
D2432 Withdrawn Unknown Exported to Italy in 1977, fate unknown.
D2433 Withdrawn Scrapped
D2434 Withdrawn Scrapped
D2435 Withdrawn Scrapped
D2436 Withdrawn Scrapped
D2437 06008 DT   Scrapped
D2438 Withdrawn Scrapped
D2439 Withdrawn Scrapped
D2440 06009 Withdrawn   Scrapped
D2441 Withdrawn Scrapped
D2442 Withdrawn Scrapped
D2443 Withdrawn Scrapped
D2444 06010 Withdrawn Scrapped

Withdrawal

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With a decline in shunting, BR was forced to reduce its shunter fleet in the 1960s and 70s, resulting in mass withdrawals. The first class 06 locomotive to be withdrawn was D2441 in March 1967 and the last was 06002 (formerly D2414) in September 1981.

Year Quantity in
service at
start of year
Quantity
withdrawn
Locomotive numbers Notes
1967 35 1 D2441
1968 34 9 D2411–2/15/17–8/25/28/30/32 D2432 sold into industrial use
1969 25 5 2410/19/27/29/34
1970 20 0
1971 20 4 2431/35–6/39
1972 16 6 2416/24/33/38/42–3
1973–4 10 0
1975 10 2 06009/010
1976 8 1 06001
1977 7 1 06007
1978 6 0
1979 6 1 06004
1980 5 3 06005–006/008
1981 2 2 06002/003 06003 went into departmental use, now preserved.

Preservation

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06003

A single locomotive survives, number 06003 (formerly D2420). It was the second last locomotive of the class in service when it was withdrawn in February 1981. It was transferred to the departmental fleet following withdrawal and renumbered 97804, and used at the Reading Signal Works where it replaced 97020.[2] After being withdrawn again in 1984, it was sold to Booth's scrapyard in Rotherham (date unknown) before being saved for preservation by the local South Yorkshire Railway based at Meadowhall in Sheffield. Later owned by HNRC and visited several locations before being stored at the Museum of Science and Industry, Liverpool Road, Manchester, and in 2013 was moved into the Heritage Shunters Trust collection at Peak Rail, Rowsley.

One locomotive, D2432, was sold to P. Wood Shipbreakers of Queenborough, Kent in 1969. It was exported to Italy in 1977, but its subsequent fate is unrecorded.[2]

Model Railways

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In 1963 Hornby Railways launched its first version of the BR Class 06 in OO gauge. Since 2011 Hornby have produced a basic representation of the prototype as part of their Railroad range in BR Blue, whilst past examples have carried a variety of liveries.[4]

An etched brass kit of the 06 is in the range of Judith Edge Kits.[5]

References

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  1. ^ "06 0-4-0". Brdatabase.info. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d Strickland 1983, p. 40.
  3. ^ NREA Locomotive allocation book & February 1977, p. 4.
  4. ^ "Hornby BR Class 06". Hornby Railways Collector Guide. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
  5. ^ "Judith Edge Kits". UK Model Shops. Retrieved 8 January 2013.
  • Strickland, David C. (1983). Locomotive Directory. Frimley, Surrey: Diesel and Electric Group. p. 40. ISBN 0-906375-10-X.
  • Williams, Alan; Percival, David (1977). British Railways Locomotives and Multiple Units including Preserved Locomotives 1977. Shepperton: Ian Allan Ltd. ISBN 0-7110-0751-9.
  • British Rail Locomotive Allocation Book (2nd ed.). National Railway Enthusiasts Association. February 1977.

Further reading

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