British Rail Class 97
classification for departmental (non-revenue) locomotives
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. In 2008, Network Rail once again used Class 97 for signalling test locomotives (Class 97/3).
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.
Locomotive descriptions
97020
Built by Ruston & Hornsby in January 1957 with the serial number 408493, this 4wDM shunter was ordered specifically for departmental use by the Signalling & Telecommunications department of the Western region at Reading Signal Works.
The public source identifies “British Rail Class 97” as classification for departmental (non-revenue) locomotives. This brief keeps that definition visible, then builds a research path around British, Rail and Class.
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