English Electric built hundreds of small electric locomotives for industrial service shunting from 1920 to 1951. Many were the
Type 3B, which were mostly built at the Dick Kerr works in Preston. While the basic configuration and bodyshell was the same, the traction equipment and power collection setup depended on the customer's requirements and could vary greatly. Power collection could be via pantograph, tram pole (an example being
Blackpool Corporation 717) or third rail. Some also had batteries though depending on the size of battery needed this could require the body being extended.
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| EE 1378/1944 at Manchester Science & Industry Museum (MOSI) |
| Information (for Spondon Power Station Locos) |
| Number built: |
3 |
| Built: |
1935-46 |
| Builder: |
English Electric |
| Motor: |
2 English Electric traction motors (200v DC OHLE or battery) |
| Power: |
35 hp (26 kW) |
| Wheel arrangement: |
4wBE |
Coal power stations such as Spondon in Derby were often enthusiastic users of electric shunters [1]. The Derbyshire & Nottinghamshire Electric Power Company bought three of these locomotives for Spondon power station between 1935 and 1946 [2]. They were used on a mile long branch line from the main line yard at Spondon to the power station. They remained in service until the mid-1980s when they were replaced by diesel locomotives. Two of the three locomotives have been preserved. Other examples of this type of electric locomotive have also been preserved.
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| Spondon No. 1 built in 1935, at the Electric Railway Museum |
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| Spondon No.2 at the Foxfield Railway, it was built in 1939 |
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| Another view of 1378 at MOSI |
[1] R.L. Vickers, DC Electric Trains and Locomotives in the British Isles (David & Charles, 1986) p. 95
[2] Vic Mitchell & Keith Smith, Nottingham - Long Eaton - Derby (Middleton Press, 2020) Fig. 89
