British Rail Class 13

The British Rail Class 13 was formed in 1965. The Tinsley Marshalling Yard needed more powerful shunters to move vehicles around. This was provided by permanently coupling together two Class 08 shunters as a ‘master and slave’ (or ‘cow and calf’) unit. The second of the two units had its cab taken off. Both units were ballasted to improve traction. At first the units were coupled cab-to-cab but it was easier to couple Master nose to Slave cab. The thinking behind adopting this dual locomotive design is that a larger, rigid locomotive could not be used due to the risk of grounding on the hump.

British Rail Class 13
Power type	Diesel-electric
Builder	British Railways’ Darlington Works (builder and rebuilder)
Build date	1965 (rebuilt)
Total production	3
Configuration	0-6-0+0-6-0
UIC classification	C+C
Gauge
Wheel diameter	4 ft 6 in (1.372 m)
Wheelbase
Length	60 ft 1 in (18.31 m)
Width	8 ft 6 in (2.59 m)
Height
Locomotive weight
Fuel capacity	1,336 imp gal (6,070 l; 1,604 US gal)
Prime mover	English Electric 6KT, 2 off
Traction motors	EE, four off
Transmission	DC generators, DC traction motors, double reduction gearing
Multiple working	Not fitted (except control of slave by master)
Top speed	20 mph (32 km/h)
Power output	Engine: 350 hp (261 kW) × 2
Tractive effort	Maximum: 70,000 lbf (311.4 kN)
Train heating	None
Locomotive brakeforce
Train brakes	Vacuum
Career	British Railways
Number	D4500–D4502, later 13001–13003
Axle load class	RA 8
Retired	1983–1986

British Rail Class 13 Media

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  Class 13 no. 13003, permanently coupled Master-Slave locomotives, Tinsley Marshalling Yard, 6/8/74.