BR Hunslet '05' class 0-6-0 Diesel Shunter No. D2614. Built by Hunslet Engineering Co. Ltd. of Leeds in February 1961 and withdrawn in March 1967. Small, short-wheelbased steam shunting tank locomotives were obvious replacement candidates for the new diesel shunters. Docks, harbour quays and factory access lines were the intended domains. Unfortunately in a changing social and economic environment, containerisation and efficient, fast road transport were rapidly eroding this need. Within less than ten years diesel locomotives intended to last for decades were withdrawn. Hindsight is a wonderful thing! Here is D2614 that will shortly become just such a dock environment casualty. Photographed at Goole MPD, June 1964.

However a very different view from John Wade "Hello, it sounds very plausible, the reason for their short life span (changing times), BUT the truth of the matter is these locos were/are horrendous to drive. When changing up or down in any gear (Double declutch), so down to the bottom of the H configuration and back up to the relevant gear, before changing, by hand but don't forget to have a hand on the throttle, the loco brake, vacuum brake on a higher level, and whistle if necessary, Oh! and dont forget we only have two hands!!! (Hands like bees wings spring to mind!). An absolutely beautiful design they look superb, but looks can be deceiving. How do I know?, well I own D2587, along with other BR shunters which are less "interesting?" to drive ?! , do you know it has the same power unit as an 03 or 04 or 06? but a "different" gearbox and clutch. When these got packed off to Scotland if not scrapped first, I would have been signing on a couple of hours early every day to make sure (if possible) that I got an 06 rather than an 05. I bet there are some old drivers who would relate to this, Cheers John Wade".

© Arthur Hall-SA Collection