BR Class 09
No. 09004
BR Class 09 No. D3668 (09004)
Vehicle Name / Number(s): 09004 / D3668
Builder: British Railways - Darlington Works
Build Year: 1959
Previous Name / Number(s): D3668
Previous Owners: British Rail, Private owner
Owned by: Valley Rail Group
Status: Operational
Configuration: 0-6-0
Weight: 49 tons
Engine: English Electric 6KT
Train Brake System: Dual braked - air and vacuum
Fuel Capacity: 668 gallons
BR 0-6-0 Diesel Electric D3668 (TOPS no.09004) is a Class 09 Shunting Locomotive. Built at Darlington in 1959, it spent most of its working life on the South Eastern and Central Divisions of the Southern Region of British Railways.
Whilst visually resembling the more numerous class 08 shunter, class 09s have different gearing which allows for a higher top speed of around 27mph but at the expense of having a reduced tractive effort.
When British Rail was privatised in 1996, the loco passed to Connex South Central (predecessor of today’s train operator Southern). Following an accident in 1998, the loco was sent to Selhurst Depot.
It was acquired for preservation in December 2000, and arrived at the Swindon & Cricklade Railway in 2009.
Whilst in the care of the Swindon & Cricklade Railway, 09004/D3668 visited the Avon Valley Railway for the diesel gala in April 2014. It was purchased privately in 2022 and moved to Bitton. In 2024, AVR’s resident shunter 08202 went on hire to Llangollen Railway with 09004 taking its place as resident shunter at Bitton.