The class 13 was formed because in 1965 it was found necessary to provide more powerful shunters for “hump shunting” at Tinsley Yard. This was provided by permanently coupling together two class 08 shunters as a 'master' and 'slave' units, the latter with its cab removed. Both units were ballasted to improve traction. Initially the units were coupled cab-to-cab but it was found more practical to couple master nose to slave cab. The reason behind adopting this dual locomotive design is that a larger, rigid locomotive could not be used due to the risk of grounding on the hump. 13002 was formed from D4187 and D3697 (built in 1962 and 1959 respectively) in 1965 and was originally numbered D4502. It is seen here still in green livery on Tinsley MPD on the 5th September 1976. With the rundown and eventual end of hump shunting at Tinsley the class became obsolete and these unique locomotives were not required elsewhere. Withdrawal was therefore inevitable with 13002 being the first to go in June 1981, being broken up in October 1982 at Swindon.
Rescanned 6th June 2020
Praktica LTL, Orwochrome UT18
Loading contexts...
