British Rail Class 13

{{Short description|Class of British diesel shunting locomotive}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2015}}

{{Use British English|date=February 2015}}

{{Infobox locomotive

|name = British Rail Class 13

|powertype = Diesel–electric

|image = File:Class 13 no. 13003, permanently coupled Master-Slave locomotives, Tinsley Marshalling Yard, Nigel Tout, 6.8.74.jpg

|caption = A British Rail Class 13 at Tinsley Marshalling Yard, 1974

|fleetnumbers = D4500–D4502, later 13 001–13 003

|builder = British Railways Darlington Works (builder and rebuilder)

|builddate = 1965 (rebuilt)

|totalproduction = 3

|gauge = {{RailGauge|ussg|allk=on}}

|primemover = English Electric 6KT, 2 off

|transmission = Diesel electric, double reduction gearing

|generator = DC

|tractionmotors = EE, four off

|whytetype = 0-6-0+0-6-0

|uicclass = C+C

|aarwheels = C-C

|wheeldiameter = {{convert|4|ft|6|in|m|3|abbr=on}}

|minimumcurve = {{cvt|3|ch|m|sigfig=2}}

|trainbrakes = Vacuum

|locobrakeforce = {{convert|37|LTf|sigfig=2|lk=on}}

|wheelbase = {{convert|42|ft|1+1/2|in|m|2|abbr=on}}

|length = {{convert|60|ft|1|in|m|2|abbr=on}}

|width = {{convert|8|ft|10|in|m|2|abbr=on}}

|height = {{convert|12|ft|8+5/8|in|m|2|abbr=on}}

|locoweight= {{convert|120|LT|t ST|sigfig=3|lk=on}}

|maxspeed = {{cvt|15{{cite book |date=July 1980 |title=Class 08/09/13 Locomotives: General Data, Preparation & Disposal, Driving Instructions & Fault Finding Information |publisher=British Rail |id=BR 33056/70}}|or|20{{cite book |date=June 1968 |title=Diesel Electric Shunting Locomotives D3000 - D4192, D4500 - D4502, 12033 - 12138, 15211 - 15238: Driving Instructions Including Locomotive Data and Description, Preparation and Disposal, Fault Finding Charts – Part 1: Locomotive Data and Equipment Fitted |publisher=British Railways |id=B.R.33003/252}}|mph}}

|poweroutput = Engine: {{convert|400|hp|0|abbr=on}}{{cite book |date= |title=Diesel Engine Instruction and Maintenance Manual |location=Strand, London |publisher=English Electric |chapter=Preface, General Data |page=Instruction 701/9/1/1, Instruction 703/10/2/1–703/10/2/2, Instruction 704/1/1/1–704/1/1/2}} × 2

|tractiveeffort = Maximum: {{convert|70000|lbf|kN|1|abbr=on|lk=on}}

|fuelcap = {{convert|1336|impgal|abbr=on}}

|trainheating = None

|multipleworking = Not fitted (except control of slave by master)

|axleloadclass = RA 8

|operator = British Railways

|retiredate = 1981–1985

|scrapdate = 1982 (13 002)
1985-6 (13 001 and 13 003)

|disposition = All scrapped

}}

The British Rail Class 13 was a type of diesel–electric shunting locomotive. The type was designed in 1965 because of the need to provide more powerful shunters for the Tinsley Marshalling Yard. Due to Tinsley's status as a hump yard, it was not possible to use a single locomotive owing to the risk of grounding. So, to achieve the required power, a pair of {{BRC|08}} shunters were permanently coupled in master and slave formation, with the slave unit having had its cab removed. Both units were then ballasted to improve traction. Initially coupled cab-to-cab, it was found more practical to couple master nose to slave cab.