D3462 (08377) – Class 08 Shunter

Notes

The British Rail Class 08 is a class of diesel-electric shunting locomotive. From 1953 to 1962, 996 locomotives were produced, making it the most numerous of all British locomotive classes. As the standard general-purpose diesel shunter on BR, almost any duty requiring shunting would involve a Class 08. The class became a familiar sight at many major stations and freight yards; however, since their introduction, the nature of rail traffic in Britain has changed considerably. Freight trains are now mostly fixed rakes of wagons, and passenger trains are mostly multiple units; neither requiring the attention of a shunting locomotive. Consequently a large proportion of the class has been withdrawn from mainline use and stored, scrapped, exported, or sold to industrial or heritage railways such as ours. As of 2008 around 100 locomotives remain working on industrial sidings and on the main British network. On heritage railways they have become common, with over 60 preserved.

Service History:

D3462 was built at Darlington Works and delivered new on 27/06/1957 to her first shed at Hither Green (73C). She transferred to Norwood Junction (75C) in May 1962 and remained there until moving to Crewe Diesel depot (5A) on the London Midland Region in December 1968.

In May 1974 under the introduction of the TOPS numbering scheme introduced by British Rail she became 08377, and in June 1974 transferred to Bristol Bath Road (BR) on the Western Region.

February 1975 saw 08377 re-allocated to St Blazey depot (BZ) in Cornwall. With 08377 only having Vacuum brakes and the increased use of air braked stock on BR, the loco was withdrawn from BR traffic on 26/06/83 whilst stored at Laira depot (Plymouth). 08377 was preserved and used on the West Somerset Railway, where she remained until moving to the Mid Hants Railway in 2013.