Class 12 Profile and Models
15224 at the Spa Valley Railway in June 2014. ©Train Photos
The British Rail Class 12 is a diesel locomotive built primarily for shunting duties around London. 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 were designed by Richard Maunsell of the SR in 1937 and were later classified D3/12. The later Class 12s 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 from 1936–39. The locomotives were designed for use in the two South London marshalling yards at Norwood Junction and Hither Green, and remained there for much of their working lives. The three fitted with Westinghouse air train braking were often used at Dover shunting continental ferry vans before Classes 08 and 09 were generally converted to this system. They were also utilised as works shunters at Ashford, Brighton and Eastleigh. The entire class was withdrawn between 1968 and 1971 and most were cut up for scrap soon afterwards. However, three were sold for industrial use with two of those locomotives being scrapped later on. One is preserved. |
|
Type of Locomotive |
Diesel-Electric |
Builder |
BR Ashford Works |
Build Dates |
1949 to 1952 |
Total Built |
26 |
Tractive Effort |
24,600 lbf |
Power Output |
350 hp |
Top Speed |
27.5 mph |
Wheel Configuration |
0-6-0 |
Operated By |
British Railways |
Main Duties |
Shunting |
In Service Until |
1971 |
Surviving Examples |
1 |