British Rail reserved the TOPS Class 97 designation for departmental locomotives, which were used for special or engineering duties. They were therefore of several different classes, lumped together for numbering purposes. Some locomotives were converted from redundant engines, whilst others were purpose built. Logo of British Rail British Railways (BR), later rebranded as British Rail, ran the British railway system from the nationalisation of the Big Four British railway companies in 1948 until its privatisation in stages between 1994 and 1997. ... The Total Operations Processing System, better known by its initials TOPS, is a computer system for managing the locomotives and rolling stock (railroad cars) owned by a rail system. ... A locomotive (from Latin loco motivus) is a railway vehicle that provides the motive power for a train, and has no payload capacity of its own; its sole purpose is to move the train along the tracks. ...

Allocation of Numbers

Class 97 numbers were allocated in one of three ways:

• Application of 97 prefix to pre-TOPS number - e.g. Western Region shunters PWM 650-654 became 97650- 97654.
• TOPS class number replaced by 97 prefix - e.g. Former Class 47 locomotive 47472 became 97472.
• Allocation of number in a series commencing from 97x01, where x represented the engine power Type (1 to 5), '7' for ex-multiple unit conversions and '8' for diesel shunters.

thank god for class 57s that took the bodies of 47s - NO MORE 47 FREAKS!!! POGO, LIVES IN YORK REAL NAME - PAUL ILLINGSWORTH GED THE TRAMP, BIRMINGHAM REAL NAME - GERALD IZAAC HAPPLE ADDRESS - 378 GILLIOTT ROAD, EDGBASTON, BIRMINGHAM PHONE NO - 0121 454 4679 (PLEASE CONTACT ABOVE FOR GEN...

Locomotive Descriptions

97020

This locomotive, formerly numbered 20 in the Western Region departmental locomotive series, was purpose-built by Ruston & Hornsby in 1957 for use by the Signalling & Telecommunications division in Reading. It carried its Class 97 number from 1980, but was withdrawn in 1981 and scrapped the following year. Ruston is the former name of an engine builder in Lincoln, England, UK. It is responsible for Rusty in the Thomas the tank engine series. ...

97201

97201 Experiment at Coalville Open Day 1 September 1985.

This locomotive was a former Class 24 locomotive, which was taken over by the Railway Technical Centre, based at Derby, in 1975. It was initially numbered RDB 968007, and was given its Class 97 number in 1979. It was employed hauling various test-trains until retirement in 1988. It was painted in RTC's distinctive red/blue livery, and named "Experiment". After withdrawal it was preserved on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1118x782, 119 KB) Summary © Andrew Hadley Source: http://ukrail. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1118x782, 119 KB) Summary © Andrew Hadley Source: http://ukrail. ... September 1 is the 244th day of the year (245th in leap years). ... This article is about the year. ... An unidentified Class 24 at Mossend yard in September 1976. ... Derby (pronounced dar-bee ) is a city in the East Midlands of England. ... Before TOPS Class 97 was issued to self-propelled locomotives in departmental (non-revenue earning) use, British Rail had such locomotives numbered in a variety of series, together with locomotives that were no longer self_propelled. ... A diesel train on the NYMR Goathland station. ...

97202

This was a former Class 25 locomotive used for training purposes at Toton depot. Subsequently, other training locomotives were numbered in the ADB 968xxx series. Description The British Rail Class 25 diesel locomotives, also known as the Sulzer Type 2, were built from 1961. ... Before TOPS Class 97 was issued to self-propelled locomotives in departmental (non-revenue earning) use, British Rail had such locomotives numbered in a variety of series, together with locomotives that were no longer self_propelled. ...

97203-204

97203 at Bescot 5 August 1987.

These locomotives were converted from Class 31 locomotives. The first, no. 97203, was operated by the Railway Technical Centre, based at Derby. It was used to haul various test-trains operated by the centre. However, in 1987, the locomotive was written-off after having sustained fire damage. Therefore, a replacement in the form of 97204 was converted. This later returned to normal traffic, as no. 31970. Both locomotives were painted in RTC's red/cream livery with a black bodyside band. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1123x581, 92 KB) Summary © Andrew Hadley Source: http://ukrail. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1123x581, 92 KB) Summary © Andrew Hadley Source: http://ukrail. ... August 5 is the 217th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (218th in leap years), with 148 days remaining. ... 1987 (MCMLXXXVII) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Class 31, no. ... Derby (pronounced dar-bee ) is a city in the East Midlands of England. ...

97250-252

Three former Class 25 locomotives were converted for use as mobile generators to provide electric heating on trains where the hauling locomotive could not supply this. They were referred to as ETHEL units (Electric Train Heating Ex-Locomotives), and unofficially named Ethel 1, Ethel 2 and Ethel 3. They were painted in a blue/grey livery in an effort to match the coaching stock livery of the day, but this was not too successful. All three have since been scrapped. Description The British Rail Class 25 diesel locomotives, also known as the Sulzer Type 2, were built from 1961. ...

97401-402

This Class 46 'Peak' locomotive was bought by the Railway Technical Centre, based at Derby, straight from British Rail service in 1984. This locomotive did not receive its allocated departmental number of 97401, and retained it original number of 46009. It was used in a high-publicity test, to prove the safety of rail transported nuclear fuel containers. The locomotive was deliberately crashed into a container at 100 mph. Whilst the engine was written-off, the container was undamaged. The British Rail Class 46 is a class of diesel locomotive. ... Derby (pronounced dar-bee ) is a city in the East Midlands of England. ... Logo of British Rail British Railways (BR), later rebranded as British Rail, ran the British railway system from the nationalisation of the Big Four British railway companies in 1948 until its privatisation in stages between 1994 and 1997. ...

A second locomotive, no. 46023, was allocated the departmental number 97402. It was cannibalised for spare parts, to allow no. 46009 to reach the required 100 mph, since Class 46 locomotives are usually restricted to 90 mph. The British Rail Class 46 is a class of diesel locomotive. ...

97403-404

97403 Coalville Open Day 1st September 1985.

These two locomotives were converted from Class 46 locomotives. They were operated by the Railway Technical Centre at Derby. Number 97403 was named "Ixion", and was used to evaluate wheelslip. It was painted in RTC's red/blue livery. Number 97404 was used as a source of spare parts. Both locomotives have been preserved. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1113x762, 122 KB) er = 1985, btw. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1113x762, 122 KB) er = 1985, btw. ... Location within the British Isles Coalville is a town in North West Leicestershire, England, with a population of about 30,000. ... (Redirected from 1st September) September 1 is the 244th day of the year (245th in leap years). ... This article is about the year. ... The British Rail Class 46 is a class of diesel locomotive. ... Derby (pronounced dar-bee ) is a city in the East Midlands of England. ... This article is about the Greek myth. ...

97405-408

These four locomotives were renumbered from Class 40 locomotives, which had all recently been withdrawn from normal traffic. In 1985, they were returned to use and employed on engineering trains around Crewe. A major scheme was in progress to remodel the railways around the station. After these duties finished, the locomotives were withdrawn in 1986/87. However, three of the four were later preserved. D202 at Liverpool Street in green livery, 1963. ... Map sources for Crewe at grid reference SJ705557 Crewe is a town in south Cheshire, in the north west of England. ...

97409-413

These five locomotives were renumbered from Class 45 'Peak' locomotives. They were used on infrastructure trains in association with major engineering works. All five locomotives were withdrawn by 1988, and have all since been scrapped. The British Rail Class 45 diesel locomotives were built by British Rail Derby and Crewe Works from 1960 to 1962. ...

97472, 97480, 97545 and 97561

These four locomotives were converted from Class 47 locomotives in 1989, and were used to haul test-trains throughout the country. Number 97561 was repainted in Maroon livery and named "Midland Counties Railway" to commemorate the railway's 150th anniversary. thank god for class 57s that took the bodies of 47s - NO MORE 47 FREAKS!!! POGO, LIVES IN YORK REAL NAME - PAUL ILLINGSWORTH GED THE TRAMP, BIRMINGHAM REAL NAME - GERALD IZAAC HAPPLE ADDRESS - 378 GILLIOTT ROAD, EDGBASTON, BIRMINGHAM PHONE NO - 0121 454 4679 (PLEASE CONTACT ABOVE FOR GEN... The Midland Counties Railway (MCR) was an early railway company in the United Kingdom which existed between 1832 and 1844, connecting Nottingham, Leicester and Derby with Rugby and thence to London. ...

Three of the four locomotives were later renumbered into the range 47971-973, but continued to be employed hauling test-trains. They were later joined by 47974-976 and 47981. The fourth locomotive, no. 97472, was renumbered back to number 47472, and shortly after was withdrawn from traffic due to fire damage.

97650-654

These shunting locomotives were purpose-built by Ruston & Hornsby at Lincoln in 1953 (97650) or 1959 (rest). For more details see the main Class 97/6 article. Ruston is the former name of an engine builder in Lincoln, England, UK. It is responsible for Rusty in the Thomas the tank engine series. ... Lincoln (pronounced //) is a cathedral city and county town of Lincolnshire, England. ... The British Rail Class 97/6 diesel shunting locomotives were purpose-built for departmental duties by Ruston & Hornsby at Lincoln in 1953 (97650) or 1959 (97651-654). ...

97701-710

These locomotives were converted from the driving motor cars from former Class 501 electric multiple units. They were powered by large batteries, and were based at Birkenhead North TMD & were employed around Birkenhead on the Merseyrail system (97701-702) or around North London (rest). A London bound Class 501 train calls at Harrow and Wealdstone. ... A multiple unit is a passenger train whose carriages have their own motors, either diesel (DMUs) or electric (EMUs), and do not need to be hauled by a locomotive. ... Birkenhead North TMD is situated opposite Birkenhead North railway station. ... Map sources for Birkenhead at grid reference SJ3088 Birkenhead is a town on The Wirral Peninsula, Merseyside, on the left bank of the River Mersey, opposite Liverpool. ... Merseyrail is the name given to the electric commuter train network centred on Liverpool and Birkenhead. ... North London is that part of London which is north of the River Thames. ...

97800-807

This number range was reserved for shunting locomotives converted from capital stock. Individual locomotives are described below.

• 97800 - This locomotive was converted from a Class 08 locomotive in 1979 for use as a shunter at Slade Green depot. It was name Ivor, and was later painted in Network South East livery. In 1990, this locomotive was returned to capital stock with its original number.
• 97801 - This locomotive was converted from a Class 08 locomotive in 1978 for use by the Research Department at Derby. It was originally numbered RDB 968020, but was given a Class 97 number in 1979. It was named 'Pluto', and withdrawn in 1981.
• 97802 - This locomotive was converted from a Class 08 locomotive in 1979 for use at Polmadie depot. It was used for only a year in this role before withdrawal.
• 97803 - This locomotive was converted from British Rail's last remaining Class 05 locomotive, no. 05001. It was used on the Isle of Wight railway system, based at Ryde, and was rebuilt with a lower cab to allow it to be used through the restricted-height Ryde Tunnel. It was withdrawn as non-standard, and was replaced by no. 97805.
• 97804 - This locomotive was used at Reading West Signal Works following the withdrawal of 97020, and was converted from a Class 06 locomotive, no. 06003. It was made redundant when the works closed in 1984, and was later preserved. It is now the sole-surviving Class 06 locomotive.
• 97805 - This locomotive was converted from a Class 03 locomotive to replace the non-standard 97803. It was later renumbered back to its original number of 03079, and remained in use on the Isle of Wight until 1996.
• 97806 - This locomotive was a former Class 09 locomotive, which was allocated to Sudbrook for exclusive use on the Severn Tunnel emergency train. The train has been replaced by former Class 121 diesel units, and 97806 returned to capital stock with its original number, 09017.
• 97807 - This locomotive was converted from a Class 03 to assist 97805 on the Isle of Wight. It was later renumbered back to its original number of 03179, and remained in use on the Isle of Wight until 1996.

D3312 at Kings Cross, 1963 in British Railways green livery 08 910 at Carlisle, 1975 in British Rail blue livery. ... A train in NSE livery Network SouthEast (NSE) was a sector of British Rail that principally operated commuter trains in the London area. ... D3312 at Kings Cross, 1963 in British Railways green livery 08 910 at Carlisle, 1975 in British Rail blue livery. ... Derby (pronounced dar-bee ) is a city in the East Midlands of England. ... Before TOPS Class 97 was issued to self-propelled locomotives in departmental (non-revenue earning) use, British Rail had such locomotives numbered in a variety of series, together with locomotives that were no longer self_propelled. ... D3312 at Kings Cross, 1963 in British Railways green livery 08 910 at Carlisle, 1975 in British Rail blue livery. ... Built for use on the Eastern & Scottish Region. ... The Isle of Wight is an English island, south of the county of Hampshire off the southern English coast. ... Ryde, seen from Ryde Pier and showing the well-known twin spires. ... Reading is a town and unitary authority (the Borough of Reading) in the English county of Berkshire. ... Built for use on the Scottish Region. ... The British Rail Class 03 locomotive is, together with Class 04, one of BRs most successful smaller 0-6-0 diesel-mechanical shunters. ... The Isle of Wight is an English island, south of the county of Hampshire off the southern English coast. ... CLASS 09/0 Class 09, later 09/0, locomotives were modified from Class 08 locomotives and were re-geared to give a maximum top speed of 27. ... Chiltern Railways operate a single Class 121 Bubble Car on Aylesbury to Princes Risborough shuttles. ... The British Rail Class 03 locomotive is, together with Class 04, one of BRs most successful smaller 0-6-0 diesel-mechanical shunters. ... The Isle of Wight is an English island, south of the county of Hampshire off the southern English coast. ...

Preservation

Locomotive 97651 at Northampton & Lamport Railway.

Several Class 97 locomotives have been preserved on heritage railways. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (2048x1536, 1274 KB)British Rail Class 97/6 No. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (2048x1536, 1274 KB)British Rail Class 97/6 No. ... Steam Locomotive 7646 Northampton officially named by the Mayor of Northampton The Northampton & Lamport Railway is a standard gauge heritage railway in Northamptonshire England, and is based at Pitsford and Brampton station, roughly 5 miles (8 km) north of Northampton. ... A scene on a heritage railway. ...

• 97201 / 24061 - North Yorkshire Moors Railway

• 97403 / 46035 - Privately-owned, based at Crewe depot.
• 97404 / 46045 - Midland Railway Centre

• 97406 / 40135 - East Lancashire Railway
• 97407 / 40012 - Midland Railway Centre
• 97408 / 40118 - Birmingham Railway Museum

• 97650 - Lincolnshire Wolds Railway
• 97651 - Northampton & Lamport Railway
• 97654 - Peak Rail

• 97803 / 05001 - Isle of Wight Steam Railway
• 97804 / 06003 - Barrow Hill Engine Shed
• 97805 / 03079 - Derwent Valley Light Railway

A diesel train on the NYMR Goathland station. ... Map sources for Crewe at grid reference SJ705557 Crewe is a town in south Cheshire, in the north west of England. ... The Midland Railway, Butterley is a complex of railway museum exhibits in Derbyshire, within the Midland Railway Centre. ... The East Lancashire Railway is a heritage railway in Lancashire, England. ... The Midland Railway, Butterley is a complex of railway museum exhibits in Derbyshire, within the Midland Railway Centre. ... The Birmingham Railway Museum Trust operates two subsidiaries: Tyseley Locomotive Works and Vintage Trains. ... The Lincolnshire Wolds Railway is a heritage railway based at Ludborough station, near Grimsby in Lincolnshire. ... Steam Locomotive 7646 Northampton officially named by the Mayor of Northampton The Northampton & Lamport Railway is a standard gauge heritage railway in Northamptonshire England, and is based at Pitsford and Brampton station, roughly 5 miles (8 km) north of Northampton. ... In 1968 the former Midland Railway main line from London to Manchester (originally built as the Manchester, Buxton, Matlock and Midlands Junction Railway), was closed between Matlock and Buxton in Derbyshire. ... Vintage carriage and O2 Class 0-4-4T no. ... The Barrow Hill Engine Shed is a former Midland Railway roundhouse in Derbyshire. ... The Derwent Valley Light Railway is a heritage railway link based at Murton to the east of the city of York. ...

Locomotive Details

An unidentified Class 24 at Mossend yard in September 1976. ... A diesel train on the NYMR Goathland station. ... Description The British Rail Class 25 diesel locomotives, also known as the Sulzer Type 2, were built from 1961. ... Class 31, no. ... Class 31, no. ... Description The British Rail Class 25 diesel locomotives, also known as the Sulzer Type 2, were built from 1961. ... Description The British Rail Class 25 diesel locomotives, also known as the Sulzer Type 2, were built from 1961. ... Description The British Rail Class 25 diesel locomotives, also known as the Sulzer Type 2, were built from 1961. ... The British Rail Class 46 is a class of diesel locomotive. ... The British Rail Class 46 is a class of diesel locomotive. ... This article is about the Greek myth. ... The British Rail Class 46 is a class of diesel locomotive. ... Map sources for Crewe at grid reference SJ705557 Crewe is a town in south Cheshire, in the north west of England. ... The British Rail Class 46 is a class of diesel locomotive. ... Midland Railway 156 Class 158A in the museum amongst other exhibits. ... D202 at Liverpool Street in green livery, 1963. ... D202 at Liverpool Street in green livery, 1963. ... The East Lancashire Railway is a heritage railway in Lancashire, England. ... D202 at Liverpool Street in green livery, 1963. ... The Midland Railway, Butterley is a complex of railway museum exhibits in Derbyshire, within the Midland Railway Centre. ... D202 at Liverpool Street in green livery, 1963. ... The Birmingham Railway Museum Trust operates two subsidiaries: Tyseley Locomotive Works and Vintage Trains. ... Location within the British Isles. ... The British Rail Class 45 diesel locomotives were built by British Rail Derby and Crewe Works from 1960 to 1962. ... The British Rail Class 45 diesel locomotives were built by British Rail Derby and Crewe Works from 1960 to 1962. ... The British Rail Class 45 diesel locomotives were built by British Rail Derby and Crewe Works from 1960 to 1962. ... The British Rail Class 45 diesel locomotives were built by British Rail Derby and Crewe Works from 1960 to 1962. ... The British Rail Class 45 diesel locomotives were built by British Rail Derby and Crewe Works from 1960 to 1962. ... thank god for class 57s that took the bodies of 47s - NO MORE 47 FREAKS!!! POGO, LIVES IN YORK REAL NAME - PAUL ILLINGSWORTH GED THE TRAMP, BIRMINGHAM REAL NAME - GERALD IZAAC HAPPLE ADDRESS - 378 GILLIOTT ROAD, EDGBASTON, BIRMINGHAM PHONE NO - 0121 454 4679 (PLEASE CONTACT ABOVE FOR GEN... Robin Hood memorial statue in Nottingham. ... thank god for class 57s that took the bodies of 47s - NO MORE 47 FREAKS!!! POGO, LIVES IN YORK REAL NAME - PAUL ILLINGSWORTH GED THE TRAMP, BIRMINGHAM REAL NAME - GERALD IZAAC HAPPLE ADDRESS - 378 GILLIOTT ROAD, EDGBASTON, BIRMINGHAM PHONE NO - 0121 454 4679 (PLEASE CONTACT ABOVE FOR GEN... thank god for class 57s that took the bodies of 47s - NO MORE 47 FREAKS!!! POGO, LIVES IN YORK REAL NAME - PAUL ILLINGSWORTH GED THE TRAMP, BIRMINGHAM REAL NAME - GERALD IZAAC HAPPLE ADDRESS - 378 GILLIOTT ROAD, EDGBASTON, BIRMINGHAM PHONE NO - 0121 454 4679 (PLEASE CONTACT ABOVE FOR GEN... The Midland Counties Railway (MCR) was an early railway company in the United Kingdom which existed between 1832 and 1844, connecting Nottingham, Leicester and Derby with Rugby and thence to London. ... thank god for class 57s that took the bodies of 47s - NO MORE 47 FREAKS!!! POGO, LIVES IN YORK REAL NAME - PAUL ILLINGSWORTH GED THE TRAMP, BIRMINGHAM REAL NAME - GERALD IZAAC HAPPLE ADDRESS - 378 GILLIOTT ROAD, EDGBASTON, BIRMINGHAM PHONE NO - 0121 454 4679 (PLEASE CONTACT ABOVE FOR GEN... The Lincolnshire Wolds Railway is a heritage railway based at Ludborough station, near Grimsby in Lincolnshire. ... Steam Locomotive 7646 Northampton officially named by the Mayor of Northampton The Northampton & Lamport Railway is a standard gauge heritage railway in Northamptonshire England, and is based at Pitsford and Brampton station, roughly 5 miles (8 km) north of Northampton. ... In 1968 the former Midland Railway main line from London to Manchester (originally built as the Manchester, Buxton, Matlock and Midlands Junction Railway), was closed between Matlock and Buxton in Derbyshire. ... A London bound Class 501 train calls at Harrow and Wealdstone. ... A London bound Class 501 train calls at Harrow and Wealdstone. ... A London bound Class 501 train calls at Harrow and Wealdstone. ... A London bound Class 501 train calls at Harrow and Wealdstone. ... A London bound Class 501 train calls at Harrow and Wealdstone. ... A London bound Class 501 train calls at Harrow and Wealdstone. ... A London bound Class 501 train calls at Harrow and Wealdstone. ... A London bound Class 501 train calls at Harrow and Wealdstone. ... A London bound Class 501 train calls at Harrow and Wealdstone. ... A London bound Class 501 train calls at Harrow and Wealdstone. ... D3312 at Kings Cross, 1963 in British Railways green livery 08 910 at Carlisle, 1975 in British Rail blue livery. ... D3312 at Kings Cross, 1963 in British Railways green livery 08 910 at Carlisle, 1975 in British Rail blue livery. ... D3312 at Kings Cross, 1963 in British Railways green livery 08 910 at Carlisle, 1975 in British Rail blue livery. ... Built for use on the Eastern & Scottish Region. ... Vintage carriage and O2 Class 0-4-4T no. ... Built for use on the Scottish Region. ... The Barrow Hill Engine Shed is a former Midland Railway roundhouse in Derbyshire. ... The British Rail Class 03 locomotive is, together with Class 04, one of BRs most successful smaller 0-6-0 diesel-mechanical shunters. ... CLASS 09/0 Class 09, later 09/0, locomotives were modified from Class 08 locomotives and were re-geared to give a maximum top speed of 27. ... The British Rail Class 03 locomotive is, together with Class 04, one of BRs most successful smaller 0-6-0 diesel-mechanical shunters. ...