Class 08/09 Gallery

The British Rail Class 08/09 was a diesel-electric shunting locomotive built for general purpose shunting. They were one of British Rail's most numerous Class's with a total of 996 built for use in the UK. The class were nicknamed 'Gronks' due to their small but powerful design and being a general purpose workhorse for BR. Class 08's could be viewed pottering about their general business at most mainline stations which had a purposeful requirement for the class to be there. The class were built in 1953 and at the time were seen as a cost effective way of marshalling trains. Since their introduction the way rail freight is moved around the UK has changed considerably with most trains now formed in bulk, and fixed formations. Postal services are now all in the hands of multiple units. The only locations which retain Class 08 operation are dedicated engineering yards which have a requirement to shunt wagon rakes. It seems that locomotive owners seem to favour heavy Type 5 locomotives to do the shunting at some yards, preventing the need for a Class 08 being required. As of 2011, around 100 locomotives remain working on industrial sidings and on the main British network. On heritage railways, they have become common, appearing on many of the preserved standard-gauge lines in Britain, with over 60 of the class preserved. The Class 08 has a maximum speed of 15mph and 350hp with huge tractive effort which made them a very powerful locomotive and able to cope with any duties. Class 08's were once numerous at Taunton, because of the large collections of sidings and yards based in the town. They were an ideal local shunting locomotive used to shunt wagons, coaches and were often utilized on local trip workings in the area. Taunton last had a Class 08 based at the station in the mid 90's. Since then there has been no requirement for a shunting locomotive to be based in the town.

27th May 1986 BR Blue Class 08 No.08576 is pictured derailed at Taunton East Junction (Obridge) on the 27th May 1986. The shunter was shunting newspaper empties before derailing on the points. (Photo: Russell Elliott)

27th May 1986 The Laira Re-railing team at pictured on site at Taunton East Junction on the 27th May 1986 prepapring a plan to re-rail Class 08 No.08576. (Photo: Jeff Treece)

27th May 1986 With Class 08 No.08576 blocking the down lines into Taunton on the 27th May 1986, wrong line working was set up through the northbound platforms to allow some passenger trains to still operate. (Photo: Jeff Treece)

27th April 1986 British Rail knew exactly how to execute engineering works. On the 27th April 1986 Driver Des Alderton shunts on 08839 while Guard Bill Longman (left) strolls up the platform to meet the train. Notice that there are even seacows located in the bay platform, and the Class 47 on the adjacent through road. Network Rail would never think of using a Class 08 for engineering works these days. But in the British Rail era it was quite common to utilise local small shunting locomotives! (Photo: Steve Awford)

12th August 1985 BR Blue Class 08 No.08840 heads to Fairwater Yard from Taunton Station on the 8th August 1985 passing under the 40 Steps signal gantry as it potters toward the yard area. (Photo: Russell Elliot)

19th January 1985 BR Class 08 No.08576 is pictured stabled in the former Chard bay platform at Taunton Station on the 19th January 1985. (Photo: Taunton Trains Collection)

1st October 1984 This image shows Driver Fred Pavitt at the controls of 08840 in Taunton East Yard during October 1984 while carrying out various shunting duties in the yard. (Photo: Pip Davey)

3rd January 1981 BG Blue Class 08 No.08479 is pictured stabled on Taunton Shed on the 3rd January 1981. (Photo: Paul Clarke)

1st September 1979 BR Blue Class 08's No.08800 and No.08668 stand at Taunton Shed on the 1st September 1979 (Photo: Paul Clarke)

21st June 1979 BR Blue Class 08 No.08668 is pictured in Platform 1 at Taunton on the 21st June 1979 together with several mail vans. (Photo: Paul Clarke)

16th June 1979 The British Railways Class 08 was very much a jack of all trades and could be called upon to take on just about any task. Pictured on the 16th June 1979 BR Class 08 No.08185 arrives into Taunton towing No.31242 on 4B10 16:05 Bristol Temple Meads - Plymouth mail. The Class 31 had only made it 40 miles from Bristol before breaking down at Cogload Junction. The Class 08 was dispatched from Taunton Station to clear the line and is seen here hauling the entire train into Taunton. (Photo: John Cook)

17th April 1979 A single British Rail Class 08 No.08185 shunts a loan cement 'presflo' wagon at Taunton East on the 17th April 1979. (Photo: Chris Perkins)

7th June 1975 BR Blue Class 08 No.09024 is pictured on Taunton shed on the 7th June 1975 in almost ex-works condition. (Photo: Norman Preedy)

28th October 1974 BR Blue Class 08 No.08089 is pictured shunting grampus wagons in Fairwater Yard on the 28th October 1974. (Photo: Paul Clarke)

28th August 1974 BR Blue Class 08 No.08402 is pictured on the 28th August 1974 stabled on Taunton Shed with an unknown Class 25. (Photo: Paul Clarke)

27th July 1974 Grubby BR Blue Class 08 No.08668 is pictured standing outside Taunton Shed on the 27th July 1974 inbetween duties. (Photo: Paul Clarke)

17th July 1974 British Rail Class 08 No.08668 is pictured stabled on Taunton Shed on the 17th July 1974. (Photo: Paul Clarke)

20th April 1974 BR Blue Class 08 No.08029 (3041) is pictured stabled on Taunton Shed on the 20th April 1974. (Photo: Paul Clarke)

27th July 1963 Class 08 No.D4164 performs shunting duties at Taunton on the 27th July 1963 with stock being moved in preparation for local stopping services. (Photo: Owen Mogg (Peter Triggs Collection))

BR Blue Class 08 No.08801 is pictured stabled in Platform 1 in August 1992. The Class 08 was built on the 11th June 1960 delivered to St Blazey, it spent time at several Cornish outposts and gradually ventured north throughout it's life. It was scrapped in 2004 at C F Booth Rotherham. (Photo: Jeff Treece)

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