An order for 26 0-6-0 650 hp diesel-hydraulic locomotives was placed in January 1963, these to be built at British Railways Swindon Works. The anticipated work for this class was yard shunting, trip work and short distance freight. A further 30 were ordered in mid-1963 before work had started on the first order.
Thus it was in July 1964 that the first of a class of 56 locomotives appeared from Swindon Works. These were designated as Class 14 by British Railways and christened 'Teddy Bears' by enthusiasts. In outline they resembled the Clayton Type 1 locomotives, having a cab which was (nearly) central with bonnets at each end but of course with a fixed 0-6-0 wheel configuration rather than bogies as seen on all the other Type 1 classes. They had an extremely short life with British Railways. Most were resold for industrial use, where the vast majority had a working life of two to three times that with British Railways. Unfortunately the industries in which they were employed, such as coal mining, declined during the 1970s and the class again became surplus, but several have found a third lease of life on preserved lines where they are ideal for both light passenger work and the maintenance of permanent way.
The engine was a Paxman 6 cylinder Ventura 6YJXL connected to a Voith L217U hydraulic transmission and Hunslet triple-reduction final drive gearbox
Class 84 locomotive No. E3044 is displayed at Bury Bolton Street station on the occasion of the cities 'Rail Week' from the 14th to the 19th of the month.
Class50 locomotive No. 400 is transferred from the LMR to Bristol for crew training in readiness for the whole of the class to replace the Class 52 'Westerns'.
Class 45 locomotive No. 45 071 becomes the first of its class to be modified by the removal of its nose-end headcode panels.
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