The British Rail Class 09 is a class of 0-6-0 diesel locomotive designed primarily for shunting and short-distance freight trips along branch lines.[2]

British Rail Class 09
09001 at Northam in 1989.
Type and origin
Power typeDiesel-electric
BuilderBritish Railways' Darlington Works, Horwich Works
Build date1959, 1961–1962 (09/0)
Total produced26 (09/0)
Rebuild date1992–1993 (09/1, 09/2)
Number rebuilt12 (7 09/1 + 5 09/2)
Specifications
Configuration:
 • Whyte0-6-0DE
 • UICC
Gauge4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Wheel diameter4 ft 6 in (1.372 m)
Minimum curve3.5 chains (70.41 m)
Wheelbase11 ft 6 in (3.505 m)
Length29 ft 3 in (8.92 m)
Width8 ft 6 in (2.591 m)
Height12 ft 8+12 in (3.874 m)
Loco weight49 long tons (49.8 t; 54.9 short tons)
Fuel capacity668 imp gal (3,040 L; 802 US gal)
Prime moverEnglish Electric 6KT
GeneratorDC English Electric 801
Traction motors2 x English Electric 506
TransmissionDiesel-electric, double reduction gearing
Train heatingNone
Train brakesoriginally Vacuum, later Dual, some now Air only
Performance figures
Maximum speed27.5 mph (44.3 km/h)
Power outputEngine: 350 hp (261 kW)[dubiousdiscuss]
Tractive effortMaximum: 25,000 lbf (111.2 kN)
Continuous: 8,800 lbf (39.1 kN)[dubiousdiscuss]
Brakeforce19 long tons-force (189 kN)
Career
OperatorsBritish Rail
Number in class38
Numbers09/0: D3665–D3671, D3719–D3721, D4099–D4114;
later 09001–09026
09/1: 09101-09107
09/2: 09201-09205
NicknamesGronk
Supergronk[1]
Axle load classRA 5
Withdrawn1981–present
Disposition12 preserved, 25 still in service, 2 scrapped

The 26 locos are nearly identical to the more numerous Class 08 shunting locomotives but have different gearing, giving a higher top speed of 27.5 mph (44 km/h) at the expense of a lower tractive effort. They were introduced from 1959 to 1962 and latterly operated in the Southern 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 and privatisation in 1997, the class has been distributed much further afield.

Passenger operations

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Although not normally considered for passenger work, Class 09s were recorded working passenger trains between Clapham Junction and Kensington Olympia when the booked Class 33 diesel was unavailable.[4]

They were also used on railtours which needed to depart Brighton heading along the West Coastway Line or vice versa. To achieve this the 09 worked between Brighton and Preston Park, allowing the main tour locomotive to work the train forward via the Cliftonville tunnel and Hove.[5] The connection to the West Coastway Line at Brighton can only be used by four car trains due to the arrangement of the points and track.

Liveries

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Post-Privatisation

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The following liveries have been carried since the privatisation of British Rail:

Sub-classes

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09011 at Bescot on 16 February 2001

The original 26 locomotives (built 1959–1962) became sub-class 09/0 when further locomotives were modified from Class 08s in 1992 which became subclasses Classes 09/1 and 09/2. There were variations, which were given the following TOPS design codes:

Class 09/0

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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)

Classes 09/1 & 09/2

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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

Preservation

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12 members of the class have been preserved[8]

Model railways

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Lima produced a range of Class 09s in OO gauge.[10]

Hornby Railways and Bachmann have also produced 00 gauge models of Class 09 locomotives.

References and sources

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References

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  1. ^ Walmsley, Ian (March 2020). "Bodysnatchers, Gronks and Bones". Modern Railways. Vol. 77, no. 858. Stamford: Key Publishing. p. 42. ISSN 0026-8356.
  2. ^ a b "Class 09". Southern Railway E-mail Group.
  3. ^ "09 0-6-0". Brdatabase.info. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
  4. ^ Lund, E (1980). To the last drop. Chesterfield: Longden technical Publications. ISBN 0-9507063-0-2.
  5. ^ "20th April 1996 Pathfinder Tours The Southern Coasterman". Six Bells Junction. Retrieved 14 January 2009.
  6. ^ "Mainline Freight". Class 58 Locomotive Group. Archived from the original on 5 May 2009. Retrieved 8 December 2009.
  7. ^ "Ex LNER (And Grand Central) Mark 4 sets for TFW". 7 May 2019.
  8. ^ Marshall, Andrew (2007). Preserved Heritage Traction. GM Publications. ISBN 978-0-9555581-0-8.
  9. ^ "New Diesel Arrival Class 09 09025". The Lavender Line. Isfield Station, East Sussex. 16 October 2014. Retrieved 18 January 2015.
  10. ^ "An 08 from an 09". RAIL. No. 84. EMAP National Publications. September 1988. pp. 67, 69. ISSN 0953-4563. OCLC 49953699.

Sources

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Further reading

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