BR Class 08 No.08911 'Matey' - DCC Sound Fitted Deposit

We are excited to announce our latest Exclusive model, the Class 08 No.08911 'Matey' in BR Blue with Grey roof and NRM logo. This model is brought to us by Accurascale as part of their newly tooled Class 08 range.

Model Features:
- 21-Pin decoder.
- Directional lighting.
- Helical gearbox for smooth running at scale speeds.
- Cab and dash lighting.
- Stay-Alive fitted.
- Diecast chassis and underframe.
- Poseable cab doors and sliding roof hatch.
- All wheel electric pickup.
- Factory fitted with 2-Pin accessory sockets and twin speakers.

In 1934, LMS commissioned English Electric to construct a diesel-electric shunter. No.7079 proved highly successful and led to further orders across all the “Big Four” railways. Its lineage fed directly into British Railways’ push after nationalisation, to create a standardised large shunting locomotive. Drawing heavily on the LMS design but incorporating improvements and flexibility for different engines and electrical equipment, the resulting BR standard 0-6-0 diesel-electric shunter (later known as the Class 08) entered production in 1952. Between 1950 and 1962 193 locomotives were built at several BR workshops, with multiple engine/electrical pairings and a higher-geared variant for the Southern Region that became the Class 09. The locomotives evolved through different liveries, safety markings and braking systems, and by the 1970s were allocated TOPS classifications: Class 08, 09 and 10. As yards declined in the 1980s–90s, the fleet shrank, though hundreds survived into privatisation.

Continuing in its designed-for role as a shunter, the Class 08 has been found useful by numerous heritage railways in the UK. No.08911 (Originally D4141) eventually found itself operating under the auspices of the National Railway Museum, performing shunt duties on collection and visiting locomotives. No.08911 kept the BR Blue with Yellow/Black Hazard ends livery, but lost any BR/Network Rail markings. Instead, a small National Railway Museum logo was added to each side.

After some time spent at the NRM, No.08911 was relocated to the Locomotion Museum in Shildon to perform similar duties. 'Matey' can still be seen in the sidings at Locomotion, although at the time of writing is undergoing repainting/restorative works.