Books on Class 03/04 Shunters?

[Maybach]

I don't suppose anyone knows whether there are any books dedicated to the Class 03 and, especially, the 04 diesel shunter? I've had a look on amazon and ebay, and I can't see anything at all! There are a few odd books on diesel shunters in general, so they might be included in those. Maybe it's a bit niche?!!!

 

[Gloster]

The magazine-style Modern Locomotives Illustrated covered them. I am not sure if the two classes were in the same edition or in different ones.

 

[Gloster]

The 04 is in No. 195: eleven pages, only one of text, but a diagram, full listing of locos and sixteen photos. The 03 is in No. 217: thirty-five pages, diagram and listing as above, and eighty photos (seventeen from preservation).

 

[birchesgreen]

Brian Haresnape's book on shunters (number 7 in his British Rail Fleet Survey series) has good sections on them.

 

[Gloster]

Haresnape’s book has four pages on each, with roughly the same amount of text and a diagram, but no individual histories and black and white photos. It is a good general book, but dates from 1984 (at least my copy does): the other two are from 2012 and 2016.

 

[Maybach]

Thanks for the replies. It looks like Modern Locomotives Illustrated #195 "Small Shunters" would be the one to get. I've just checked on ebay etc. and copies of that particular edition seem to be very scarce!

 

[Mollington St]

A Couple of publications that might be of interest

BR Shunters by OPC - Scan below - I have just listed a copy on my site in case its of interest to you or any forum member
BR in Industry - Ex BR Diesels in Industry - The Industrial Railway Society , i have both the 1981 and 1983 issues , again scan attached and copies on my site . Just £5 each , if any member wants all 3 then post free.

24th June - Crewe - North Wes Rail & Transport Collectors Fair

 

[Big Jumby 74]

I don't suppose anyone knows whether there are any books dedicated to the Class 03 and, especially, the 04 diesel shunter? I've had a look on amazon and ebay, and I can't see anything at all! There are a few odd books on diesel shunters in general, so they might be included in those. Maybe it's a bit niche?!!!

A few general shunter books, as mentioned above, the IRS 'BR diesels in Industry' being excellent for the movements of examples of both classes post BR use. Also 'The Allocation History of BR diesel shunters - 2nd edition' , a recent-ish reprint of the 'Harris' style volumes, and as with the IRS books, covers the history (in this case) of ALL shunters from class 01-14 and selected others. This is still available I believe, from the Heritage Shunters Trust web site for 22 of your finest British Pounds.

For books that lean more towards the photographic side, there are two volumes by Colin Marsden, 'The Diesel Shunter' and 'A Pictorial History of the diesel shunter', both OPC many years ago, although covering many classes the pics of 03/04 will be limited in number. Two more recent works with perhaps a few more images than the Marsden books, and in colour, are two volumes by Kevin Derrick (Strathwood), 'Looking back at Shunters 1 - The outside (ie non BR) manufacturers, including 04's, and 'Looking back at Shunters 2' which covered the BR designs, 03's included.

The Industrial Railway Society is a mine of information and various publications, which detail areas where both classes worked after BR finished with them, and a few works by Adrian Booth (amongst others) based on locations such as Manvers Main (NCB South Yorks Area) come highly recommended as histories of the areas/pits concerned and the locos that worked in same. The SY area of the NCB was probably the largest single user of (in particular) ex BR class 04's and most passed through Manvers Main in their time.

 

[Big Jumby 74]

BR in Industry - Ex BR Diesels in Industry - The Industrial Railway Society , i have both the 1981 and 1983 issues

I have all of these, No 8 being the latest. No 1 is the near impossible one to get hold of now, and I only have a photo copy of it's pages. It was this given me by a mate, that got me interested in the theme of shunters that still existed after having been sold by BR. A whole new list of 'sheds' (collieries etc) to visit, albeit all on private property, so many written letters were sent to ask for permission to visit and photo their locos, as 'bunking' sheds BR style was often not possible, mostly.......

 

[Maybach]

Thanks for the very comprehensive replies, which I'm now making my way through! To be honest, I'm more interested in these locos' BR days than any subsequent industrial service but certainly several titles to consider.