BR Class 07 D2996
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| BR Class 07 D2996 | |
|---|---|
,_August_2022_01.jpg) D2996 in 2022 (Wikimedia Commons)) | |
| Built By | Ruston & Hornsby |
| Configuration | 0-6-0 |
| Power type | Diesel Electrical |
| Status | Relocating to the SVR |
| Loco Number | D2996 |
| Other Numbers | 07012 |
| History | |
| Built | 1962 |
| Designed By | BR |
| Type | Class 07 |
| 2026 | To arrive on SVR |
| Technical | |
| Length | 26ft 9½in |
| Weight | 42.9t |
D2996 is a Class 07 0-6-0 diesel electric shunting locomotive, powered by a Paxman 6RPHL Mk III engine producing 275hp. 14 members of the class were built by Ruston & Hornsby in 1962 for the Southern Region of British Railways, who used them mainly at Southampton Docks and later also at Eastleigh Works. Unlike standard BR shunters such as the Class 08s, the Class 07s were designed for a specific operating environment. Their low overall height allowed them to pass underneath restrictive dockside structures, while their mechanical layout was optimised for heavy shunting at walking pace. They were never intended for main-line operation.[1]
D2996 in service edit
D2996 (Ruston & Hornsby works no. 480697) entered BR service in October 1962 at Southampton Docks, and was reallocated to Eastleigh in February 1966. Its livery was changed to BR Blue bodywork with full yellow cab front in June 1969, and it was renumbered as 07012 under TOPS in April 1974. In October 1975 it was reallocated Bournemouth (BM), returning to Eastleigh 12 months later, before being withdrawn on July 1977.[2][note 1]
After withdrawal, 07012 was one of three Class 07's sold to the Powell Duffryn Steam Coal Company Limited at Kidwelly (the other two, 07002 and 07006, were scrapped in the 1980s).[1]
D2996 in preservation edit
The locomotive was subsequently acquired by the Harry Needle Railroad Company,[3]a railway spot-hire company based at Barrow Hill Engine Shed in Derbyshire.[4] Ex-store at RMS Locotec, Dewsbury, it was seen at Isfield (East Sussex) in 2003 and 2005. It had moved to Barrow Hill by July 2006, and from there to the Appleby Frodingham Railway Preservation Site at Scunthorpe Steel Works. It returned to Barrow Hill in January 2016.[3] In 2022 the livery was changed back into Southern Railway Green.[5]
On 19 January 2026 the SVR Class 14 Company Limited announced that they were acquiring the locomotive, which would be moving to the SVR to be based at Bridgnorth, where it would assume the role of a compact, low-speed shunter ideally suited to station limit and yard duties. It would also serve as an important educational exhibit, illustrating dockside and industrial railway practice to visitors.[6][7]
See also edit
Notes edit
References edit
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 BR Class 07 on Wikipedia
- ↑ BRDatabase (retrieved 12 February 2026)
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 UKLocos (retrieved 13 February 2026)
- ↑ Harry Needle on Wikipedia
- ↑ DieselAlmanac.uk
- ↑ SVR Class 14 Company Facebook announcement, 19 January 2026
- ↑ Branch Lines February 2026, Dockyard veteran to relocate to the SVR
Links edit
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