Starting in 1960, British Railways (BR) acquired a small batch of twenty Class 02 two-axle shunting locomotives for use in yards with tight curves. Although perfectly suited to their operational environment—thanks to a short wheelbase, a 170 hp Rolls-Royce 6-cylinder diesel engine, and hydraulic transmission—the first of these locomotives (capable of speeds up to 30 km/h) were withdrawn after less than ten years of service, and the last after just fifteen, as their operational roles in docks, depots, and industrial areas disappeared. BR managed to sell eleven of these relatively new locomotives—more than half the total fleet—to private operators, which is why seven examples survive to this day.
Press F1 to select different start-up modes: press the button once = warm start / press the button twice = false start / press the button three times = cold start.
Press F2 to slow the locomotive down gradually.
Press F4 to activate idle mode. The motor speed drops to idle. This simulates, for example, a downhill run or coasting without a trailer load.
Press F5 to activate heavy-duty mode: the locomotive will always run one diesel stage higher than normal. If you wish to run two stages higher, set CV 104 to 150 (instead of 130).
Press F8 to activate manual gear selection. When F8 is on, you can use F7 to increase the diesel gear independently of the controller, and F6 to decrease it in stages. F6, F7 and F8 must be off to switch back to automatic mode.
Press F12 to switch the fan on or off whilst the locomotive is moving.
With 14, F18 and CV 167 set to 1, announcements are played with a chime. With CV 167 set to 0, no chime is played during announcements.
Pressing F17 causes the locomotive to brake automatically to a standstill.
Using F28 and CV 164 set to 0, 1, 2 or 3, different rail joints can be selected (the triple coupler is activated with CV 165 set to 1).
Using F29 and CV 169 set to 0 or 1, you can switch between the ‘Automatic Warning System (AWS)’ and the ‘Train Protection and Warning System (TPWS)’.
Using F30, you can deactivate the brake squeal.