The Class 08 will go down in history as one of the most dependable shunters ever built. While all Class 08 shunters were created by British Railways, they are actually based on an earlier LMS design. With 996 of these shunters built, they are still a common sight on mainline yards and sidings, and a common sight on heritage railways, with the number preserved almost outnumbering those currently in service.

With no thought given to aesthetics, the Class 08 was a utilitarian workhorse of the railways, with its longevity speaking volumes to its performance. While not intended for mainline duties, some of the Class in the south could be seen trundling up the mainline if there was a short distance between yards that stock needed to be moved between, assuming no express services needed to occupy the track at the time.

The Derby-built No. D3986 entered service in August 1960 in a BR green livery. This shunter was given its BR TOPs number, 08818, in February 1974. It served with BR before being transferred to EWS at the onset of privatisation in 1994. Purchased by Harry Needle Railroad Company in 2000, the locomotive was named ‘Molly’. As of 2022, HNRC lease the locomotive to GBRf, where it is still in service.

Our model replicates this little shunter at the start of its working life, numbered D3986. Featuring a dark BR green livery with a BR late crest, this model comes DCC-ready with a six-pin socket.