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| Traction & Rolling Stock Recognition - Illustrations |
| Class 08 | See Technical Data |
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| 13075 when new. CJM Collection |
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| The Class 08 fleet are to be found sporting a wide variety of liveries, No. 08957 illustrated in both the view above and below, sports the now standard EWS colour of maroon and gold. EWS are the main operator of the class. The above view shows the left side of the loco, the main equipment areas are: A-radiator/cooler group, with fan on the front end. B-engine compartment. C-generator compartment. D-driving cab. E-vacuum exhauster compartment. F-battery box, with isolating switch bay towards the cab end. G-compressor box. H-sand box (2). I-removable roof sections. J-fuel tank. K-engine exhaust port. Some locomotives are fitted with additional high or waist height dual main reservoir and brake pipes, these were originally fitted in the 1960s, mainly to machines operating on the former Southern Region, enabling shunting of EMU and DMU stock. On both sides of the Class 08, seven removable and hinged doors are found, these provide easy access to all internal equipment. Two sections of the roof are also removable to provide access to the top of the power unit. CJM. |
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| This view looks at the left side of the same Class 08 at Newport Docks. It will be seen that on this side the compressor box is omitted and full height grilles are provided. This example has just two marker lights on the nose end and no headlight. The blue pipes on the side of the radiator are filler pipes. CJM |
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| For many years the Class 08 fleet were painted in all over BR Rail Blue livery, as shown here on No. 08443, in this colour, the connecting rod between the three axles were usually finished in yellow. The view also shows a vacuum brake only loco. CJM |
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| A number of ex-BR Class 08s are now owned by small private operators who provide the main stream privatised UK rail operators with shunting traction. One company, who also operates main line traction is Cotswold Rail. The first Class 08 owned by this company No. 08871 was given an overhaul at Brush Traction, Louhborough and repainted in the company house colours of silver grey in spring 2001. It is interesting to note how the 'wasp' warning ends have been applied to all forward facing flat surfaces. CJM. |
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| No. 08948 is owned and operated by Eurostar UK and kept at North Pole International depot in West London. To enable coupling to Eurostar stock which are fitted with Scharfenburg couplers, a hinged Scharfenburg coupling is fitted at both ends, mounted on an extended buffer beam. This fitting, together with extension air pipes enables this air brake only fitted loco to either use conventional couplers or Scharfenburg auto couplers. The modification work was carried out by ABB Crewe. CJM. |
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| A total of five Class 08s have over the years been modified with reduced cab height, permitting operation over the Bury Port & Gwendraeth Valley (BPGV) line in West Wales. The modifications render the fleet as 08/9. No. 08995 is illustrated, sporting a cast combined name and number plate, together with a high-intensity headlight. The loco is showing Transrail grey livery. CJM. |
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| A novel livery known as ‘pit-stop’was applied to a handful of 08s operated by West Coast Traincare, a part of Alstom, at Willesden, Longsight and Polmadie. The livery is black with either a pit-stop flag or a Japanese flag on the body side. No. 08887 is illustrated, this loco remains dual braked, but only had two base level marker lights on the cab end. An orange safety line is applied just below roof height. The 'pit-stop' livery was derived from the 'just in time' delivery operation operated by the depots. CJM. |
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| A number of Class 08s were modified in the 1960s with high-level dual main reservoir and air brake pipes, thus enabling easy air connection with waist height fitted electric and diesel multiple unit stock. If locomotives with buffer beam air connections had to couple to this type of stock extension air connections were required. No. 08833 is illustrated, painted in mock Great Eastern Railway blue. CJM. |
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| EWS. CJM |
| Last Updated: 30 August 2006 |
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