Quote:
Originally Posted by JamesPB
Ah ha..the plot thickens. But I would still assume that a class 01 is older than a class 03...or is that an incorrect assumption?
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The TOPs numbering system eg Class 03, Class 20, Class 50 etc, which you refer to, was introduced in about 1972, long after the last of the classes you mention were built, and does not necessarily follow chronologically.
Many of the early diesels were built in small batches and didn't last very long. many of the shunter classes 01-14 were sold into industry. After the colapse of Rail Frieght in the 1960's there were too many shunters anyway and BR had plenty of reliable 03s,04s and 08s (with 09 & 10 varients). The rest were sold or scrapped. Some diesel classes lasted little longer than the steam engines they were supposed to replace!
Building dates for the various shunter classes were as follows:
01 - 1956; 02 - 1960-61; 03 - 1957-62; 04 - 1952 - 1962; 05 - 1955-61; 06 - 1958-60; 07 - 1962; 08 1952-1962; 09 - 1959-62; 10 1955-62 & 14 1964-65.
The Class 14s were designed for trip working which had virtually disappeared befor the last one was built! Many of the class were bought by ther NCB and British Steel and 16 of the class have made it into preservation (out of a clss of 56!)
Hope this begins to sort it all out for you.
Best wishes,
John H-T.