BR Class 09 D4100
09012 is the SVR’s only example of an 0-6-0 Class 09 350hp diesel electric shunting locomotive. The Class 09 is similar to the Class 08, of which the SVR has a number of examples, but having different gearing giving an increased top speed of 27.5 mph at the expense of a lower tractive effort. 09012 was one of the 26 locomotives originally built as a Class 09; later classified as Class 09/0 to distinguish them from other Class 09s which were rebuilt from Class 08s.
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09012 in main line service
09012 was built at Horwich Works and entered BR service as D4100 in September 1961 at Ashford Chart Leacon, moving to Feltham in July 1967. The locomotive was fitted with air brakes a year later before another move to Selhurst in July 1970.
In January 1974 D4100 became No 09012 under the TOPS numbering scheme.[1]
09012 in preservation
09012 arrived on the SVR in February 2013, having been purchased from former owner Harry Needle. 09012 was in Departmental grey livery on arrival, but was repainted into BR Green livery in early 2015. The locomotive is normally based at Kidderminster and carries the name “Dick Hardy”.[2]
As of June 2015, 09012 had reverted to the earlier number of D4100.