British Rail Class 09

British Rail Class 09
09012 at Brighton station
Type and origin Power type Diesel-electric Builder British Railways' Darlington Works, Horwich Works
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 0-6-0  • UIC C Gauge 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge Wheel diameter 4 ft 6 in (1.372 m) Minimum curve 3.5 chains (70 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+1⁄2 in (3.87 m) Loco weight 49 long tons (49.8 t) Fuel capacity 668 imp gal (3,040 L; 802 US gal) Prime mover English Electric 6KT Traction motors English Electric 506, 2 off Transmission DC generator, DC traction motors, double reduction gearing Train heating None Train brakes originally vacuum, later dual, some now air only
Performance figures Top speed 27.5 mph (44.3 km/h) Power output Engine: 350 hp (261 kW) Tractive effort Maximum: 35,000 lbf (155.7 kN) Continuous: 8,800 lbf (39.1 kN) Brakeforce 19 long tons-force (189 kN)
Career Railroad(s) British Rail Number D3665–D3671, D3719–D3721, D4099–D4114; later 09001–09026 Axle load class RA 5

The British Rail Class 09 is a class of 0-6-0 diesel locomotive designed primarily for shunting but also short distance freight trips along branch lines. For this reason, though similar to the existing Class 08 shunting locomotives, Class 09s were re-geared to give a maximum top speed of 27.5 mph (44 km/h) at the expense of a lower tractive effort. They originally operated in the Southern Region of British Railways, though following privatisation in 1997 they have been distributed much farther afield.