The British Railways Class 05 is a class of 0-6-0 diesel-mechanical shunters built by Hunslet Engine Company from 1955 to 1961. They were used on the Eastern and Scottish regions of British Railways. The first two batches were delivered as 11136-11143 (later D2550-D2557) and 11161-11176 (later D2558-D2573) Subsequent locos were delivered as D2574-D2618.
The D2/5 locomotives built by Andrew Barclay Sons & Co. were reported in several sources as having received the TOPS class number 05, though this was in error, and they are not listed as such in the latest works by Marsden, 2011.
Overview[]
Most were withdrawn early and replaced by classes 03 and 04 with the exception of D2554, which was transferred to the Isle of Wight in 1966 to aid the electrification of the Island Line. Owing to its apparent suitability for working on the island, it was retained in working order and given the TOPS number 05001. It was transferred to departmental stock in 1981, being given the number 97803, and remained in service until 1985, when it was withdrawn and sold to the Isle of Wight Steam Railway.
Didcot Railway Centre has an industrial example (numbered DL26 and built to a design based on the Class 05) preserved after being used by the National Coal Board in the northeast. DL26 has a larger engine (264 hp, 60 hp larger than the Class 05s) and a higher bonnet to accommodate it. It is currently painted in a British Railways green livery with an early crest on the cab sides, a livery it never carried in service; it was an industrial locomotive from built until preservation. It was the main shunter on the site until displaced by a Class 08, though it still sees maintenance and use in its shunting role. It cannot be used on passenger trains due to its lack of vacuum brakes. The Isle of Wight Steam Railway's own 05001/D2554 can be seen frequently but it cannot run passenger trains, due to the Island's unique vintage air braked rolling stock.
Technical Details[]
The engine is a Gardner 8-cylinder, 4 stroke 8L3 of 204 hp (152 kW) connected to a Hunslet 4-speed gearbox through a Hunslet patent friction clutch. Final drive is via a Hunslet reversing gearbox and jackshaft.
Preservation[]
Four class 05 Diesel Shunters have been preserved:
- D2554 "Nuclear Fred" at Isle of Wight Steam Railway. This engine has, at various times, carried the numbers 11140, 05001 and 97803.
- D2578 "Cider Queen", privately preserved by the D2578 Locomotive Group at Moreton Business Park, Herefordshire.
- D2587 by Heritage Shunters Trust.
- D2595 at Ribble Steam Railway.
Gallery[]
