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British Rail Class 10
D3452, at Bodmin on 28 August 2003. This locomotive is preserved on the Bodmin & Wenford Railway
Power type Diesel-electric
Builder British Railways Darlington Works and Doncaster Works
Build date 1953–1962
Total production 161
Configuration 0-6-0
Gauge 4 ft 8 12 in (1,435 mm)
Wheel diameter 4 ft 6 in (1.372 m)
Wheelbase 11 ft 6 in (3.51 m)
Length 29 ft 3 in (8.92 m)
Width 8 ft 6 in (2.59 m)
Height 12 ft 8+12 in (3.87 m)
Locomotive weight 48.6 long tons (49.4 t)
Fuel capacity 668 imp gal (3,040 L; 802 US gal)
Prime mover Blackstone ER6T
Traction motors D3152–D3166: BTH, 2 off
Remainder: GEC nose suspended, 2 off
Transmission DC generator, DC traction motors, double reduction gearing
Multiple working Not fitted
Top speed 27.5 mph (44 km/h)
Power output Engine: 350 hp (261 kW)
Tractive effort Maximum: 35,000 lbf (155.7 kN)
Continuous: 11,100 lbf (49.4 kN)
Train heating None
Train brakes Vacuum
Career British Railways
Number 13137–13166; later D3137–D3166, D3439–D3453, D3473–D3502, D3612–D3651, D4049–D4094
Axle load class RA 5

Imagine a powerful little train engine designed to move other train cars around a busy railway yard – that's what a shunter does! The British Rail Class 10 was a special type of diesel locomotive used in Britain. It was quite similar to another popular engine, the Class 08, but it had a different kind of engine inside.

Instead of an engine made by English Electric, the Class 10 used a Blackstone diesel engine. These engines were also "diesel-electric," meaning they used a diesel engine to power a generator, which then made electricity for the motors that turned the wheels. The electric motors, called traction motors, were made by either GEC or BTH companies.


Building the Class 10 Locomotives

These useful shunting locomotives were built by British Railways at two of their main factories. They were made at the Darlington and Doncaster workshops. Production of these engines took place over several years, starting in 1953 and continuing until 1962.

How Many Were Made?

In total, 161 of these Class 10 locomotives were built. Each one played an important role in moving trains around railway depots and yards across Britain.

Early Names for the Class 10

When these locomotives first came out, they had slightly different names or classifications. The ones that used GEC traction motors were known as Class D3/4. The locomotives that had BTH traction motors were called Class D3/5. Later, they all became part of the Class 10 family.

What Was the Class 10 Used For?

The main job of the Class 10 locomotives was shunting. This means they were used to:

  • Move individual train cars or groups of cars.
  • Arrange trains in the correct order.
  • Take trains to and from loading areas or repair shops.
  • Help connect different parts of a train together.

They were like the workhorses of the railway yards, always busy making sure everything was in the right place.

Key Features of the Class 10

The Class 10 locomotives were designed to be strong and reliable for their shunting duties.

Engine Power

The Blackstone engine inside each Class 10 produced about 350 horsepower. This was enough power for moving heavy loads at slow speeds, which is exactly what shunting requires.

Top Speed

Even though they were powerful, these locomotives weren't built for speed. Their top speed was around 27.5 miles per hour (44 km/h). This was perfectly fine for their job of moving trains around yards, where high speeds aren't needed or safe.

Braking System

The Class 10 used a "vacuum brake" system for stopping trains. This was a common type of braking system on British railways at the time.

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