British Rail Class 03

British Rail Class 03

D2069 at Doncaster Works open day on 27 July 2003

Type and origin Power type Diesel-mechanical Builder British Railways Swindon & Doncaster Build date 1957–1961 Total produced 230

Specifications Configuration 0-6-0 UIC class C Gauge 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) Wheel diameter 3 ft 7 in (1.092 m) Minimum curve 2 chains (40.23 m) Wheelbase 9 ft 0 in (2.743 m) Length 26 ft 0 in (7.92 m) Width 8 ft 6 in (2.591 m) Height 12 ft 2 7⁄16 in (3.72 m) 11 ft 10 in (3.61 m) (cut down) Loco weight 30.2 long tons (30.7 t; 33.8 short tons) Fuel capacity 300 imp gal (1,400 l; 360 US gal) Prime mover Gardner 8L3 Transmission Wilson-Drewry CA5 R7, 5-speed epicyclic gearbox, RF11 spiral bevel reverse and final drive unit. Train heating None Train brakes Vacuum (some Dual Air & Vacuum)

Performance figures Maximum speed 28.5 mph (45.9 km/h) Power output Engine: 204 hp (152 kW) At rail: 152 hp (113 kW) Tractive effort Max: 15,650 lbf (69.6 kN) Loco brakeforce 13 long tons-force (130 kN)

Career Operators British Railways Numbers 11187–11209, 91, 92; later D2000–D2199, D2370–D2399; later 03004–03199, 03370–03399 Axle load class RA 1 Retired from April 1968 Disposition 1 in service, 55 preserved, remainder scrapped

The British Rail Class 03 locomotive was, together with the similar Class 04, one of British Rail's most successful 0-6-0 diesel-mechanical shunters. The class, numbering 230 examples, was built by British Railways' Swindon and Doncaster works in 1957-1962 and 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.

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 The reduction over time in the demand for shunting locomotives meant that they were progressively withdrawn from 1968 onwards, many being sold to private industry. 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 It was not fitted with Train Protection & Warning System equipment and thus confined to the depot from 2002. 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.