0-6-0DE SR Maunsell Shunter (BR Class D3/12) Profile and Models

British Rail class D3/12 was a class of three experimental diesel-electric shunting locomotives designed by Richard Maunsell of the Southern Railway in 1937. They quickly proved their effectiveness, and although they were not immediately replicated due to the advent of the Second World War, the class were the basis for a larger class of similar locomotives introduced by Oliver Bulleid in 1949. After a few teething problems, the class quickly proved the advantages of diesel electric shunters in terms of effectiveness, cost-saving, and driver comfort. Although at £7,275 they cost £1,100 more to build than a Z class steam locomotive, each one saved about £1,700 per year in operating costs. They could be used continually day and night for six days each week at Norwood without any service requirement beyond refuelling. Although they were still in good operating condition, the locomotives were withdrawn in November and December 1964, as by then the Southern Region had many modern replacements. None have been preserved.

(Information provided via Wikipedia)

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Surviving Examples