LNER J45 (LNER Doncaster / English Electric or Brush 350hp Diesel-Electric)

All of the "Big 4" railway companies were experimenting with diesel shunters by the late 1930s and 1940s for economic and operational reasons. The LNER was the last to join the party with an order for four locomotives based on the LMS/EE design which led to the Class 08 (and would soon become very familiar indeed). The LNER J45 differed in cab design, had vacuum brakes and had a slightly longer wheel base [1]. The shunters were numbered 8000-8003 but within a couple of years were renumbered 15000-15003 by BR. Later they were given class names DES1, DEJ1, D3/9 and 3/10 but never received TOPS numbers.

Information
Number built:	5
Built:	1944 (15004) 1947
Builder:	LNER Doncaster (15004) Brush
Engine:	English Electric 6KT diesel (15004) Brush Petter S54 diesel
Power:	350 hp (261 kW) (15004) 360hp (268 kW)
Wheel arrangement:	0-6-0

A fifth shunter was built by Brush for the LNER to a similar design but with Brush equipment. 15004 (it was delivered after Nationalisation so received a BR number) had some external differences including the lack of a battery box on the side as it used compressed air to start the engine [2]. The shunter operated under trial for a couple of years before being accepted into BR service in 1949. It was given the original class name DES2, later DEJ2, D3/14 and 3/2.

The shunters were originally sent to work at Whitemoor yard though also could be seen working elsewhere [3]. LNER had planned to build one hundred and sixty seven more of these shunters (either with EE or Brush equipment) though Nationalisation put paid to these plans. The four original locomotives continued in BR service until 1967 when they were withdrawn. 15004, having a slightly less successful time with reliability and being a one-off, was withdrawn in 1962.

LNER liveried 8003 at Whitemoor in 1949 (KD Collection)

15004 at Whitemoor in 1949, note the lack of the battery box on the side (KD Collection)

[1] Brian Haresnape, Diesel Shunters (Ian Allan, 1984) p. 30
[2] Ibid. p. 31
[3] Colin J Marsden, Diesel & Electric Locomotive Recognition Guide (Ian Allan, 2011) p. 14