Graham Farish Class 04 Diesel Shunter entering service soon
Date: 04 July 2007
Source: Bachmann
Bachmann Europe PLC will shortly release the Graham Farish Class 04 diesel shunting locomotive. The new model is available in both British Railways green livery as D2280 (catalogue number 371-050) and in the later corporate blue as D2294 (371-05). Retailing at 45.50 the model features
After the war, the development of diesel shunting locomotives continued in an effort to improve efficiency and remove steam traction from large yards in the middle of towns and cities. At that time the mixture of smoke and fog created poor visibility and was harmful to health. The need to clean up the environment had never been greater.
Whilst the larger shunters such as the Class 08 were able to deal with most requirements, there existed in the 1950s a much larger network than today. Some of the docks, factories and other facilities served had lines with tight curvature and it was necessary to introduce smaller locomotives which could work them. One such locomotive was the Class 04.
A total of 140 locomotives of Drewry design were built by the Vulcan Foundry and Robert, Stephenson & Hawthorn between 1952 and 1962. Widespread closure of lines and the move away from wagonload working to block trains for freight resulted in much of the work being lost. The first locomotive was withdrawn in 1968, the last in 1972. Many went on to be sold to industrial users at home and in Italy. Eighteen examples have been preserved for use on heritage railways.
BF 2007-34
