British Rail Class 12
| British Rail Class 12 | |
|---|---|
British Railways | |
| Class | D3/13, later 3/9, later Class 12 |
| Numbers | 15211–15236 |
| Axle load class | RA 5 |
| Withdrawn | 1968-1971 |
| Preserved | 15224 at the Spa Valley Railway |
| Disposition | One preserved, remainder scrapped |
The
History
This was the second batch of Southern Railway shunters based on the English Electric 6KT 350 hp (260 kW) diesel engine. The first experimental batch (BR numbers 15201–15203) were designed by Richard Maunsell of the SR in 1937 and were later classified D3/12. These locomotives were Oliver Bulleid's development of Maunsell's original design, but were significantly lighter. They featured Bulleid's distinctive BFB wheels, and incorporated a number of details from the diesel-electric shunters produced by the London, Midland and Scottish Railway 1936–39.[2] They were built at the BR Ashford Works over the period 1949–1952 and numbered 15211–15236. They later became Class 12, but no locomotives survived long enough to acquire Class 12 TOPS numbers.
Technical details
The
Operational details
The locomotives were designed for use in the two South London
Four (15230–15233) were fitted with air train braking originally for the 1966
Withdrawal and preservation
The entire class was withdrawn between 1968 and 1971 and most were scrapped soon afterwards. However, three were sold for industrial use with two of those locomotives being scrapped later on.[3] One, 15222, had been used as a generator by a quarry in South Wales having been acquired from the Newport scrapyard of John Cashmore Ltd. A second, 15231, was sold by BR to Tilling Construction at Grassington. The third, 15224, was sold by BR to the National Coal Board for use in the Kent Coalfield. It was used at Betteshanger and Snowdown collieries, and was preserved in 1982. It is now the only surviving locomotive of the class, and is awaiting overhaul at the Spa Valley Railway, Royal Tunbridge Wells. A detailed overhaul and restoration scoping plan is in development; the locomotive requires a complete re-wire as the original wiring is suffering age related deterioration. As of January 2021, the project is on hold awaiting suitable funding.
| Year | Quantity in service at start of year |
Quantity withdrawn |
Locomotive numbers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | 26 | 4 | 15213/15/34/36. |
| 1969 | 22 | 5 | 15216/23/26/28/33. |
| 1970 | 17 | 3 | 15217–18/27. |
| 1971 | 14 | 14 | 15211–12/14/19–22/24–25/29–32/35. |
Footnotes
- ^ Marsden 1981, "SR: 15211-15236".
- ^ Bradley 1975, p. 52.
- ^ a b Strickland 1983, p. 63.
References
- Bradley, D.L. (1975). Locomotives of the Southern Railway, Part 1. Oxford: ISBN 0-901115-30-4.
- Marsden, Colin (1981). The diesel shunter: a pictorial record. Oxford: Oxford Publishing Company. ISBN 0-86093-108-0.
- Strickland, David C. (September 1983). Locomotive Directory: Every Single One There Has Ever Been. Camberley: Diesel and Electric Group. Wikidata Q105978499.
Further reading
- McManus, Michael. Ultimate Allocations, British Railways Locomotives 1948 - 1968. Wirral: Michael McManus.