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Description
The Class 08 is a diesel electric shunting locomotive, which was built between 1953 and 1962 by British Rail for the purpose of station pilots and industrial shunting activity. The total number of units produced by BR was 996, with many other similar examples also produced.

When the class were introduced as a standard form of shunting locomotive, any shunting duty would require a Class 08, and the class became a familiar sight at major railway stations as station pilots, and freight yards as marshalling locomotives. The design of the locomotive is simple enough, each loco has a 350hp diesel engine, with two traction motors mounted on the centre axle, and each set of wheels down each side has a conrod, allowing for the power applied to the central axle to be spread out across all three axles and additional traction to be gained for the haulage of heavier loads. Due to their low power and the fact they were only ever designed for shunting, the class was never fast at all, many examples having a top speed of 15mph/24kph, and others a speed of 20mph/32kph.

However since their widespread introduction, the nature of rail traffic in the UK has changed considerably. With most freight trains now being formed of fixed rakes of wagons, and most passenger trains being operated by multiple units, the need for shunting has decreased dramatically. Many 08s were withdrawn, and either sold, stored or scrapped. Over 60 are preserved at present, the 08 being a common sight on preserved railways. However 100 out of the 996 units remain in active service, 40 of which are with EWS/DB Schenker at present in operational condition, with a greater number stored pending an increase in traffic. Seen here at Eastleigh TMD during August is number 08482, one of the standard 08/0 subclass. At least two were active at Eastleigh when I passed there during the summer, on my way to Brockenhurst.

Description
The Class 08 is a diesel electric shunting locomotive, which was built between 1953 and 1962 by British Rail for the purpose of station pilots and industrial shunting activity. The total number of units produced by BR was 996, with many other similar examples also produced.

When the class were introduced as a standard form of shunting locomotive, any shunting duty would require a Class 08, and the class became a familiar sight at major railway stations as station pilots, and freight yards as marshalling locomotives. The design of the locomotive is simple enough, each loco has a 350hp diesel engine, with two traction motors mounted on the centre axle, and each set of wheels down each side has a conrod, allowing for the power applied to the central axle to be spread out across all three axles and additional traction to be gained for the haulage of heavier loads. Due to their low power and the fact they were only ever designed for shunting, the class was never fast at all, many examples having a top speed of 15mph/24kph, and others a speed of 20mph/32kph.

However since their widespread introduction, the nature of rail traffic in the UK has changed considerably. With most freight trains now being formed of fixed rakes of wagons, and most passenger trains being operated by multiple units, the need for shunting has decreased dramatically. Many 08s were withdrawn, and either sold, stored or scrapped. Over 60 are preserved at present, the 08 being a common sight on preserved railways. However 100 out of the 996 units remain in active service, 40 of which are with EWS/DB Schenker at present in operational condition, with a greater number stored pending an increase in traffic. Seen here at Eastleigh TMD during August is number 08482, one of the standard 08/0 subclass. At least two were active at Eastleigh when I passed there during the summer, on my way to Brockenhurst.