British Rail Class 03

Template:Short description Template:Use dmy dates Template:Use British English Template:Infobox locomotive The British Rail Class 03 locomotive was, together with the similar Template:Brc, 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.

Overview

The fleet of 230 locomotives entered service between December 1957 and June 1962.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> 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 The reduction over time in the demand for shunting locomotives meant that they were progressively withdrawn from 1968 onwards, many being sold to private industry, including three that were exported to Belgium.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.<ref name="Hendry125">Template:Cite book</ref>

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.<ref>Template:Cite magazineTemplate:Page needed</ref> It was not fitted with TPWS equipment and thus confined to the depot from 2002.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> 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.<ref name="Rail806">Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>

Technical details

Template:No sources section The engine is a Gardner 8-cylinder, 4-stroke 8L3 of Template:Convert 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, 03066, 03073, 03078, 03084, 03086, 03089, 03094, 03112, 03152, 03158, 03162, 03170, 03179, 03180, 03196, 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, the Class 03's operations included:<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

• Depot pilot duties at Hull Botanic Gardens DMU depot and Bradford Hammerton Street DMU depot
• Ipswich Docks, King's Lynn Docks, and Poplar Dock
• Freight trips along the Team Valley branch (Gateshead) and the Gwendraeth Valley line
• Shunting duties at Boston Yard, Ipswich Upper and Lower yards, Lincoln engineers' yard, and Tweedmouth yard near Berwick-upon-Tweed
• Spare loco on standby at Boston and Kings Lynn
• Motive power on the Kirkley goods branch line in Lowestoft
• Station pilot duties at Template:Rws, Template:Rws, Template:Rws, Template:Rws Central, Template:Rws, and Template:Rws

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.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> In 1980, a Class 03 at Ipswich was booked to shunt the 23:20 Template:Rws – Template:Rws onto the rear of the 23:45 Template:Rws – Liverpool Street.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Also, according to Mangapps Railway Museum, 03089 once hauled a Template:Rws to Template:Rws express along the York to Scarborough Line from Template:Rws to Scarborough.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

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.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> 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.

TOPS Number	Pre-TOPS	Original Number Allocated	Image	Preserved location	Industrial use	Notes
03018	D2018	11205	File:03018 at Mangapps,14-7-2018..jpg	Mangapps Railway Museum	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.<ref name=":0" />	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
03020	D2020	11207	File:The Lavender Line 09.jpg	Lavender Line	A. King & Sons (Metal Merchants), Knappetts Scrapyard, Newmarket<ref name=":0">Template:Cite book</ref>	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
03022	D2022	11209	File:Blue 03.jpg	Swindon and Cricklade Railway	-	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
-	D2023		File:KESR Tenterden 'D2023' 1306 02.jpg	Kent & East Sussex Railway	Tees & Hartlepool Dock Authority (1972–1980)	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
-	D2024		File:D2024 at bodiam.jpg	Kent & East Sussex Railway	Tees & Hartlepool Dock Authority (1972–1980)	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
03027	D2027		File:Class 03 shunters.jpg	Heritage Shunters Trust	Shipbreakers (Queenborough) Ltd., Queenborough Wharf Scrapyard<ref name=":0"/>	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
03037	D2037		File:13.08.21 Milton of Crathes 03037 (51399824963).jpg	Royal Deeside Railway	NCB, British Oak Disposal Point<ref name=":0"/>	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
-	D2041		File:D2041 at Colne Valley Railway.jpg	Colne Valley Railway	Template:Ubl	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
-	D2051		File:Holt Railway Station - Class 03 D2051 (03051) in goods yard - geograph.org.uk - 1249249.jpg	North Norfolk Railway	Ford Dagenham (06/1973-04/1997)	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
03059	D2059		File:BR class 03 D2059.jpg	Isle of Wight Steam Railway	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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
03062	D2062		File:Class 03 D2062 and D4002 “Arundel Castle” at Bury during The East Lancashire Railway Diesel Gala 290623.jpg	East Lancashire Railway	-	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
03063	D2063		File:Class 03063 sitting at Dereham.jpg	Mid-Norfolk Railway	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.	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
03066	D2066		File:03066, Barrow Hill Roundhouse..JPG	Barrow Hill Engine Shed	-	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
03069	D2069		File:D2069 at Doncaster Works.JPG	Vale of Berkeley Railway, Gloucestershire.	Vic Berry, Leicester, even worked at Vic Berry's Scrapyard until being sold into preservation in 1991.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
03072	D2072		File:03 072 Swindon 204HP 0-6-0DM.jpg	Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway	-	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
03073	D2073		File:03073 at the Crewe Heritage Centre 23 03 24 (53606152323).jpg	Crewe Heritage Centre	Used for occasional loco shunting and brakevan rides to visitors to the heritage centre	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>Template:Efn
03078	D2078		Class 03 No.03078	North Tyneside Steam Railway	Newcastle Central Station, used as a station pilot.	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
03079	D2079		File:DVLR shunting - 2009-06-21.jpg	Derwent Valley Light Railway	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.	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
03081	D2081		File:Class 03 D2081 (03081) Mangapps 01-04-2024.jpg	Mangapps Railway Museum
03084	D2084		File:03084 Newcastle.jpg	West Coast Railways, Carnforth	Sold by the Lincolnshire Wolds Railway in 2010 or 2011.	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
03089	D2089		File:Class 03 03089 Mangapps , 23-6-2018..jpg	Mangapps Railway Museum
03090	D2090		File:03090 at Shildon.JPG	Locomotion	Part of the National Collection	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
03094	D2094		File:Milton of Crathes railway station & train, Royal Deeside Line, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.jpg	Royal Deeside Railway	Previously at Llynclys Cambrian Heritage Railway, near Oswestry	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
03099	D2099		File:British Rail Class 03 03099 - October 2014.jpg	Heritage Shunters Trust	NCB, Monkton Coking Plant<ref name=":0" />	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
03112	D2112		File:British Rail Class 03 Diesel Shunter D2112.jpg	Rother Valley Railway	-
03113	D2113		File:British Rail Class 03 03113 at Peak Rail - October 2014.jpg	Heritage Shunters Trust	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.	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
-	D2117		File:D2117.jpg	Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway		citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
-	D2118		File:HDL Leicestershire Bell Railtour and GCN 13.jpg	Great Central Railway (Nottingham)	Worked at Anglian Building Products, Lenwade, Norfolk from August 1973, then at Dow-Mac near Stamford from December 1993.	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
03119	D2119		File:Loco 03119 at North Weald.JPG	Epping Ongar Railway		citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
-	D2120		File:Fawley Hill Railway, Henley-on-Thames 35.jpg	Fawley Hill Railway, Buckingamshire		citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
03901	D2128		File:D2128.jpg	Somerset and Dorset Railway at Midsomer Norton	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	<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
-	D2133		File:Dunster 2133.jpg	West Somerset Railway	Worked at Cellophane's Bridgwater factory in the 1970s, prior to preservation at the time.	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
-	D2134		File:Locomotive D2351 at Milton of Crathes (geograph 1821390).jpg	Royal Deeside Railway	Was based in Belgium between 1976 and 1993, has since been repatriated back to the UK.	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
-	D2138		File:Midland Railway Centre, Butterley 06.jpg	Midland Heritage Railway	Used at Pye Hill Colliery between 1969 and 1984, prior to preservation.	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
-	D2139			Heritage Shunters Trust	NCB, Coed Ely Coking Plant<ref name=":0"/>	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
03141	D2141		File:British Rail Class 03 03141 on The Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway - July 2017 - 02.jpg	Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway		citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
03144	D2144		File:Leeming Bar railway station MMB 03 03144.jpg	Wensleydale Railway		citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
03145	D2145			D2578 Locomotive Group, Moreton Business Park		citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
-	D2148		File:Preston Riverside - D2148 (bonnet end).JPG	Ribble Steam Railway	NCB, Bowers Row Disposal Point<ref name=":0"/>	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
-	D2152		File:D2152 (03152) Swindon and Cricklade Railway (27415712921).jpg	Swindon & Cricklade Railway		citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
03158	D2158		File:03158 Mangapps September 2022.jpg	Mangapps Railway Museum		citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
03162Template:Citation needed	D2162		File:Class 03, No.03162 Built 1960 by BR.jpg	Llangollen Railway		citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>Template:Efn
03170	D2170		File:Loco 03170 at North Weald.JPG	Epping Ongar Railway	Was owned by Otis Euro Transrail between 1989-1999 and then latterly was present on the Battlefield Line	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>Template:Efn
-	D2178		File:BR Class 03 03178 (D2178) (7836378810).jpg	Gwili Railway	NCB, Coed Ely Coking Plant<ref name=":0"/>	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
03179	D2179		File:FCC 03179 at NVR.jpg	Rushden, Higham and Wellingborough Railway<ref name="Rail806"/>	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 Template:Rws.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
-	D2180			Battlefield Line		citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
-	D2182		File:Class 03 D2182 - Gloucestershire & Warwickshire Railway (14312050219).jpg	Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway		citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
-	D2184		File:D2184 at the Colne Valley Railway.jpg	Colne Valley Railway	NCB, Southend Coal Concentration Depot<ref name=":0"/>	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
03189	D2189		File:24.09.83 Birkenhead Mollington Street MPD 03189 (6191677017).jpg	Ribble Steam Railway		citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
03192	D2192		File:Paignton 2192.jpg	Dartmouth Steam Railway		citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
03196	D2196			West Coast Railways, Carnforth		citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>Template:Efn
03197	D2197		File:British Rail Class 03 No. 03197 at Ropley Sidings and workshop - August 2018.jpg	Mid-Norfolk Railway	Was previously at the Mid-Norfolk Railway to help build the new Kimberley Ballast Pit Sidings. Moved to Mangapps Railway Museum in August 2019 however, moved back to the Mid-Norfolk Railway in February 2020.	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
-	D2199		File:Class 03 No.D2199 on hire duty at Eurotunnel's Cheriton terminal Folkestone 8-4-94 Barrie Hughes.jpg	Heritage Shunters Trust	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	<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
03371	D2371	Departmental 92	File:Churston - 03371 in the up yard.JPG	Dartmouth Steam Railway		citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
-	D2381			West Coast Railways, Carnforth		citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
03399	D2399		File:03 399 in station.jpg	Mangapps Railway Museum		citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Scale Models

Mainline Railways and Replica each offered OO gauge models.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Mainline Railways introduced their OO gauge Class 03s in 1983; one in BR green and 03382 in BR blue.<ref name="Railmar83p36">Template:Cite magazine</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> In early 2011, Modelzone released special edition examples of the Isle of Wight prototypes, which were produced by Bachmann.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Dead link</ref>

Graham Farish currently offers a British N gauge model.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> Past models have included D2388 in BR green livery and 03066 in BR blue livery.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In 2008, Bachmann introduced O gauge brass models of the Class 03 in BR green and BR blue liveries.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>

Further reading

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External links

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