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British Rail Class 06
British Rail Class 06
British Rail Class 06
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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 It was withdrawn the following month.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+1⁄2 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+3⁄16 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

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.

Technical details

[edit]

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D2410 Withdrawn Scrapped
D2411 Withdrawn Scrapped
D2412 Withdrawn Scrapped
D2413 06001 Withdrawn Scrapped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D2415 Withdrawn Scrapped
D2416 Withdrawn Scrapped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 D2411–12/15/17–18/25/28/30/32 D2432 sold into industrial use
1969 25 5 2410/19/27/29/34
1970 20 0 –
1971 20 4 2431/35–36/39
1972 16 6 2416/24/33/38/42–43
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

[edit]
06003 at Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester, March 2012

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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Further reading

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

British Rail Class 06

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The British Rail Class 06 is a class of compact diesel-mechanical shunting locomotives built by Andrew Barclay Sons & Co. of , , between 1958 and 1960 specifically for the Scottish Region of British Railways. Thirty-five units were produced, numbered D2410 to D2444, each powered by a Gardner 8L3 inline-eight engine delivering 204 horsepower at 1,200 rpm, coupled to a Wilson-Drewry CA5 5-speed epicyclic gearbox. With a short 7-foot , 3-foot-7-inch driving wheels, and a weight of 37.30 long tons, they were optimized for high —up to 19,800 lbf starting—in confined spaces, achieving a maximum speed of 23 mph while navigating tight radius curves in marshalling yards and industrial sidings. Introduced during British Railways' early dieselization efforts, the Class 06 addressed the need for lightweight, maneuverable shunters on the former (LNER) lines in , where heavier standard designs like the Class 08 proved unsuitable for lighter duties and sharp turnouts. Allocated to depots such as Kittybrewster, , Polmadie, Eastfield, and , they handled everyday shunting in goods yards, harbor operations, and short-haul trips, often in or liveries with the early BR totem or arrow insignia. Under the 1968 TOPS reclassification, ten survivors were renumbered 06001 to 06010, reflecting their continued utility despite the class's non-standard status compared to the ubiquitous English Electric-built shunters. Withdrawals began in 1967 amid rationalization and , with most examples scrapped by 1970 due to age, challenges, and the preference for more versatile ; the final operational units on the Scottish Region were retired in early 1982, though one saw departmental service as 97804 at Reading Signal Works until 1984. Only a single , 06003 (originally D2420, built in 1959), was preserved after a narrow escape from scrapping at C. F. Booth's yard in , having been withdrawn from in April 1981 following the end of harbor shunting duties. Today, 06003 remains the sole survivor, having been restored and operated at various heritage railways including the Line, Greater Manchester Museum of Science and Industry (as of ), and the South Yorkshire Railway at Meadowhall, serving as a rare example of this diminutive Scottish workhorse.

Background and Development

Origins and Design

Following the nationalisation of Britain's railways in , the Scottish Region of British Railways identified a pressing need to modernise shunting operations in its often cramped and intricate yards, where pre-existing locomotives proved increasingly uneconomical and difficult to maintain amid the push towards dieselisation. These aging designs, including compact locomotives inherited from pre-Grouping companies like the Caledonian Railway, were particularly ill-suited to the post-war efficiency demands, prompting to seek purpose-built diesel replacements tailored to Scotland's unique yard layouts and lighter traffic patterns. The resulting Class 06 emerged as a specialised diesel shunter refined for enhanced compactness to navigate tight curves and short sidings prevalent in Scottish facilities, ensuring greater reliability for everyday marshalling tasks. Central to its design were two cab variants: the initial batch of 15 locomotives featured a three-window rear cab for standard visibility, while the later 20 units adopted a two-window configuration to optimise space and driver positioning in confined environments. The Class 06 used a diesel-mechanical transmission.

Construction

The British Rail Class 06 locomotives were built by Andrew Barclay Sons & Co. at their works in Kilmarnock, Scotland, as a dedicated order for the modernization of shunting operations on British Rail's Scottish Region. A total of 35 units were produced to replace steam shunters and enhance efficiency in freight yards across Scotland. Production occurred in two distinct batches over a two-year period. The initial batch comprised 15 locomotives, numbered D2410–D2424, assembled between June 1958 and April 1959; these featured three small windows at the rear of the cab and were primarily allocated to depots in northern . The subsequent batch of 20 locomotives, numbered D2425–D2444, was constructed from November 1959 to October 1960 and incorporated two larger rear cab windows, with allocation to western Scottish depots.

Technical Specifications

Engine and Transmission

The British Rail Class 06 shunter was powered by a Gardner 8L3 inline-eight , a naturally aspirated four-stroke unit producing 204 (152 kW) at 1,200 rpm. This engine, with a bore of 139.7 mm and stroke of 196.85 mm, was selected for its robust construction and proven performance in industrial applications, delivering reliable power for light shunting tasks. Power was transmitted mechanically through a Wilson-Drewry CA5 five-speed epicyclic gearbox, combined with a Vulcan-Sinclair Type 23 for smooth engagement, and a Wiseman Type 15 reversing gearbox to the final drive. This arrangement provided the necessary low-speed torque multiplication essential for precise maneuvering in confined yard spaces, with gear ratios optimized to maintain high during frequent starts and stops. The locomotive featured a 325 imperial (1,480 ) fuel tank, enabling prolonged operation without frequent refueling in remote or busy depots. Cooling was handled by a dedicated system suited to the engine's output, with provisions for efficient heat dissipation during sustained low-speed running typical of shunting duties. Maintenance of the Gardner 8L3 in shunting environments emphasized its straightforward design, allowing for routine servicing such as oil changes and injector adjustments with minimal downtime, a key factor in its suitability for high-utilization yard work. The engine's durability reduced overhaul intervals compared to less robust alternatives, contributing to cost-effective operations in British Rail's network.

Dimensions and Performance

The British Rail Class 06 shunter measured 25 ft 11 in (7.90 m) in length over buffers, 8 ft 5 in (2.57 m) in width, 11 ft 10+3⁄16 in (3.61 m) in height, and had a of 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m), making it compact for tight yard maneuvers. These dimensions contributed to its agility in confined spaces, such as Scottish freight yards, where precise positioning was essential for shunting operations. Weighing 37.30 long tons (37.90 t; 41.80 short tons), the provided sufficient stability without excessive loading on lighter lines. It featured standard screw couplings and buffers set at a of approximately 3 ft 1 in (0.94 m) above rail level, ensuring compatibility with typical wagon stock. In terms of performance, the Class 06 achieved a maximum speed of 22.8 mph (36.7 km/h), adequate for short-haul shunting duties rather than mainline running. Its starting was 19,800 lbf, enabling effective handling of light to medium wagon consists in hump yards. The locomotive was equipped with vacuum brakes capable of exerting a force equivalent to 15 long tons, supplemented by hand brakes for stationary control. Sandbox arrangements were positioned near the leading axles, dispensing sand to the rails for improved , particularly useful on the damp or frosty tracks common in Scottish yards. This feature, combined with the locomotive's overall design, enhanced reliability in adverse weather conditions during routine shunting tasks.

Operational History

Introduction and Service

The British Rail Class 06 diesel-mechanical shunters entered service on the Scottish Region between June 1958 and October 1960, with 35 locomotives built by Andrew Barclay & Co. in specifically for regional needs. The first batch of 15 units was allocated to northern Scottish depots such as and Kittybrewster starting in 1958–1959, while the second batch of 20 went to western depots including Polmadie, , and from late 1959 onward. By December 1960, allocations included three at Polmadie (66A), reflecting their early integration into key Scottish infrastructure hubs. These locomotives were primarily employed for light shunting operations in goods yards, wagon marshalling, and short-distance trip workings, particularly in 's industrial and coastal areas. They handled routine tasks at depots like Eastfield and , supporting dock duties along the East Coast and activities where maneuverability in confined spaces was essential. Notable transfers within , such as movements between Kittybrewster, Polmadie, and Eastfield in the 1960s and 1970s, underscored their adaptability to evolving regional freight demands, with around 20 still active as late as 1970. Initially numbered D2410–D2444 under the diesel scheme, the Class 06 proved suitable for its niche but faced operational limitations in heavier shunting compared to larger classes like the Class 08, restricting them to lighter loads and less demanding environments. Their service emphasized efficiency in Scottish yards, contributing to the region's transition from to diesel traction without major disruptions in everyday operations.

Numbering

The British Rail Class 06 locomotives were originally numbered D2410 to D2444 under the early British Rail diesel shunter numbering scheme, which allocated sequential 'D' prefixes to diesel-mechanical shunters built for the Scottish Region between 1958 and 1960. A total of 35 units were constructed in this range by Andrew Barclay Sons & Co. In the 1970s, as British Rail implemented the Total Operations Processing System (TOPS), the ten surviving Class 06 locomotives were redesignated with new TOPS codes in the 06xxx series to standardize identification across the fleet. This renumbering occurred primarily between 1974 and 1975, with specific mappings as follows:
Original NumberTOPS NumberRenumbering Date
D241306001April 1974
D241406002April 1975
D242006003April 1974
D242106004December 1974
D242206005April 1975
D242306006April 1975
D242606007December 1974
D243706008April 1975
D244006009December 1974
D244406010April 1975
One , D2420 (later 06003), was withdrawn in April 1981 and subsequently repurposed for departmental service, being moved to Reading in May 1981 and renumbered 97804 for use as a shunter at Reading Signal Works. This departmental service continued until 1984. The adoption of numbering significantly enhanced fleet tracking and historical record-keeping by enabling computerized monitoring of locations, maintenance status, and utilization across the network, replacing the less systematic pre-TOPS scheme. This transition allowed for more efficient management of the small Class 06 fleet, facilitating accurate allocation and reducing administrative errors in operational records.

Withdrawal

The withdrawal of British Rail Class 06 locomotives commenced in March 1967 with D2441, allocated to Hamilton at the time, marking the start of a gradual decommissioning process amid a broader rationalization of shunting fleets. This initial cull was driven by economic pressures and the declining demand for specialized small shunters following the Beeching Report's recommendations, which led to yard closures and reduced freight operations, particularly in . By the late , several units had been taken out of service as part of British Rail's effort to standardize on more versatile types like the Class 08. Withdrawals accelerated during the 1970s due to ongoing redundancy from the Class 08 fleet and further Scottish yard rationalizations under the , leaving approximately 20 locomotives in service by 1970 and just 10 survivors by the mid-decade. These remaining units, primarily allocated to depots such as , , Eastfield, and , were renumbered under the system in 1974 as 06001 to 06010 to reflect their continued operational role in residual shunting duties. The process culminated in the withdrawal of the final active unit, 06002 (ex-D2414), in June 1981 from depot. Most Class 06 locomotives were disposed of through scrapping, with many cut up at facilities including Works (St Rollox), , MPD, and private yards like Campbells at Airdrie and Polmadie. The 10 late survivors were stored briefly post-withdrawal in the early before being sent for scrap, underscoring the class's complete phase-out in favor of standardized shunting equipment amid British Rail's modernization and cost-saving initiatives.

Preservation and Legacy

Preserved Examples

Only one example of the British Rail Class 06 survives in preservation, numbered 06003 and formerly D2420 and 97804. Built in 1959 by Andrew Barclay Sons & Co. with works number 435, D2420 entered service on the Scottish Region of British Railways, primarily allocated to depots such as Kittybrewster and later for shunting duties in tight spaces like dockyards. It was renumbered 06003 under the system in 1974 and withdrawn from revenue service in April 1981 due to the end of harbour operations at . Following withdrawal, it entered departmental service with the Signal & Telegraph Works at Reading, renumbered 97804, where it remained operational until 1984 before storage at Reading and depots until 1986. In October 1986, 97804 was sent to C. F. Booth's scrapyard at for breaking, but it was rescued in March 1987 by a syndicate of members from the Railway Preservation Society (later evolving into the Heritage Shunters Trust), recognizing its historical value as a rare survivor of the class. Initially preserved at Meadowhall, it made guest appearances at sites including the Railway in 1997 and the Museum of Science and Industry in 2012. The locomotive was relocated to , the base of the Heritage Shunters Trust since 2002, in 2009. Restoration work on 06003 began under the Heritage Shunters Trust, a registered charity, with the locomotive housed in their running shed at . It retains its original Gardner 8L3 and is being returned to its early British Railways green livery carrying the number D2420, including updates such as new cab windows fitted in 2018 to improve condition for heritage operations. As of November 2025, restoration continues, with the locomotive non-operational but progressing toward potential use in brake van rides and shunting demonstrations on the heritage line. The preservation of 06003 underscores its rarity as the sole representative of the Class 06, a diminutive shunter designed specifically for the confined layouts of Scottish freight facilities, ensuring that this niche chapter of British Railways' diesel heritage remains accessible for study and appreciation.

Model Railways

The British Rail Class 06 has been modeled commercially primarily by Hornby in (1:76 scale), with the initial modern tooling released in 2006 as catalogue number R.2227, featuring a British Railways blue-livery example numbered 06008. Subsequent releases from 2007 to 2010 included additional liveries such as BR green and industrial variants, while a 2011 iteration (R1003) offered further detailing improvements. These models incorporate key features, including representations of the two cab variants—one with three rear windows and another with two—along with a motorized five-pole skew-wound , sprung buffers, articulated coupling rods, and tension-lock couplings for compatibility with standard track systems. As of 2025, Hornby Class 06 models remain available through specialist retailers such as Hattons Model Railways, primarily as reissues of earlier toolings in the Railroad range, with no new production announcements in the year's catalogue launches. DCC-ready versions support upgrades, including digital sound packs from Hornby or third-party providers like Legomanbiffo, which add authentic shunting sounds such as engine start-up and buffer clanks for enhanced operation. Among hobbyists, the Hornby Class 06 is popular for shunting layouts due to its compact size, with common customizations focusing on realism through chassis upgrades—such as replacing the stock motor with a high-performance gearbox and adding flywheels for smoother low-speed control—and body modifications like narrowing the frame by approximately 5 mm to match dimensions, alongside to depict operational grime. These enhancements, often shared in model railway enthusiast resources, improve traction and detailing for intricate yard operations.
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