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 09008 at Coalville open day in 1991. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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TheBritish Rail Class 09 is a class of0-6-0diesel locomotive designed primarily forshunting and short-distance freight trips along branch lines.[2]
The 26 locos are nearly identical to the more numerousClass 08 shunting locomotives but have different gearing, giving a higher top speed of 27.5 mph (44 km/h) at the expense of a lowertractive effort. They were introduced from 1959 to 1962 and latterly operated in theSouthern Region of British Railways, although some of the class were originally allocated to depots in the Midlands and North.[3] Further locomotives were converted from Class 08 in 1992 and, following this andprivatisation in 1997, the class has been distributed much further afield.
Although not normally considered for passenger work, Class 09s were recorded working passenger trains betweenClapham Junction andKensington Olympia when the bookedClass 33 diesel was unavailable.[4]
They were also used onrailtours which needed to departBrighton heading along theWest Coastway Line orvice versa. To achieve this the 09 worked between Brighton andPreston Park, allowing the main tour locomotive to work the train forward via the Cliftonville tunnel andHove.[5] The connection to the West Coastway Line at Brighton can only be used by four car trains due to the arrangement of thepoints and track.
The following liveries have been carried since theprivatisation of British Rail:
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The original 26 locomotives (built 1959–1962) became sub-class 09/0 when further locomotives were modified fromClass 08s in 1992 which became subclasses Classes 09/1 and 09/2.There were variations, which were given the following TOPS design codes:
| TOPS design code | Electrical system | Max speed | Weight | Brakes | Route availability | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 09-0AX | 110 V | 27.5 mph (44.3 km/h) | 50.4 long tons (51.2 t; 56.4 short tons) | dual | ? | Original design |
| 09-0BA | 110 V | 27.5 mph (44.3 km/h) | 51.0 long tons (51.8 t; 57.1 short tons) | air | 6 | knuckle couplings fitted (09003/11) |
| TOPS design code | Electrical system | Max speed | Weight | Brakes | Route availability | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 09-1AX | 110 V | 27.5 mph (formerly 20 mph) | 50.4 long tons (51.2 t; 56.4 short tons) | dual | ? | |
| 09-1BX | 110 V | 27.5 mph (formerly 15 mph) | 50.4 long tons (51.2 t; 56.4 short tons) | dual | ? | |
| 09-1CX | 110 V | 27.5 mph (44.3 km/h) | 49.0 long tons (49.8 t; 54.9 short tons) | dual | ? | fitted with knuckle couplings |
| 09-1EA | 110 V | 27.5 mph (44.3 km/h) | 51.0 long tons (51.8 t; 57.1 short tons) | air | 6 | fitted with knuckle couplings |
| 09-2AA | 90 V | 27.5 mph (44.3 km/h) | 49.6 long tons (50.4 t; 55.6 short tons) | air | ? | |
| 09-2BX | 90 V | 27.5 mph (44.3 km/h) | 50.5 long tons (51.3 t; 56.6 short tons) | dual | ? | |
| 09-2DA | 90 V | 27.5 mph (44.3 km/h) | 51.0 long tons (51.8 t; 57.1 short tons) | air | 6 | fitted with knuckle couplings |
12 members of the class have been preserved[7]
Lima produced a range of Class 09s inOO gauge.[10]
Hornby Railways and Bachmann have also produced 00 gauge models of Class 09 locomotives.
