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 transmission was diesel mechanical, although the wheels were chain driven from the gearbox and the loco was rated at for a weight of only 17 tons. Tractive effort was a maximum of . Delivered to the WR with the number 20 it was renumbered to 97020 in May 1980. However withdrawal came in April 1981 and it was scrapped on site in August 1982 by Cartwrights of Tipton. For refuelling, it had to go via the main line to the depot at Reading.
97201
thumb|right|97201 at Worksop in BR Research Division livery
This locomotive was a former Class 24 locomotive No.24061, which was taken over by the Railway Technical Centre, based at Derby, in 1975. It was initially numbered RDB 968007, and was given its Class 97 number in 1979. It was employed hauling various test-trains until retirement in 1988. It was painted in RTC's distinctive red/blue livery, and named "Experiment". After withdrawal it was preserved on the Midland Railway Centre having been to Vic Berrys at Leicester for Asbestos Removal then later the East Lancs Railway before a spell at the North Tyneside Steam Railway before later moving to the North Yorkshire Moors Railway.
97202
This was former Class 25 locomotive 25131 used for training purposes at Toton depot. It had been withdrawn on 6 December 1982 and was reinstated as 97202 on 1 October 1983. It only lasted in Departmental service until January 1984 when it was again withdrawn, eventually being scrapped by Vic Berry.
Subsequently, other training locomotives were numbered in the ADB 968xxx series.
97203–97204
These locomotives were converted from Class 31 locomotives. The first, no. 97203, was operated by the Railway Technical Centre, based at Derby. It was used to haul various test-trains operated by the centre. However, in 1987, the locomotive was written off after having sustained fire damage. Therefore, a replacement in the form of 97204 was converted. This later returned to normal traffic, as no. 31970. Both locomotives were painted in RTC's red/cream livery with a black bodyside band.
97205
This was former Class 31 locomotive 31163, currently based at Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway in Derby RTC livery.
97250–97252
Three former Class 25 locomotives were converted for use as mobile generators to provide electric heating on trains where the hauling locomotive could not supply this, including the Caledonian Sleeper. They were referred to as ETHEL units (Electric Train Heating Ex-Locomotives), and unofficially named Ethel 1, Ethel 2 and Ethel 3. They were painted in a blue/grey livery in an effort to match the coaching stock livery of the day, but this was not too successful. All three have since been scrapped.
97301–97304
thumb|right|97301 and 97302 at Clay Cross in October 2008.
These locomotives have been refurbished from Class 37 locomotives at Barrow Hill Roundhouse by Network Rail and have been fitted with ERTMS signalling equipment. They are intended for use primarily on the Cambrian lines from Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth and Pwllheli, which requires an ERTMS-capable fleet. The locomotives were formerly 37100, 37170, 37178 and 37217 respectively. A new inspection shed was built in 2008 at Coleham (Sutton Bridge Junction) in Shrewsbury for these locos.
On 2 September 2009, one of the locomotives (97303) hit a car on an unmanned level crossing near Penrhyndeudraeth, killing the car's driver.
On 15 May 2024, 97304 was named Rheilffordd Talyllyn Railway at by Peter Hendy, chairman of Network Rail. This was to commemorate 73 years of preservation of the Talyllyn Railway, and the close relationship between the commercial and preserved railways.
97401–97402
97401 was a Class 46 'Peak' locomotive, bought by the Derby-based Railway Technical Centre straight from British Rail service in 1984. This locomotive did not receive its allocated departmental number and retained its original number of 46009. It was used in a high-publicity test, to prove the safety of rail transported nuclear flasks. The locomotive was deliberately crashed into a container at . Whilst the locomotive was written off, the flask was undamaged.
A second locomotive, no. 46023, was allocated the departmental number 97402. It was cannibalised for spare parts, to allow no. 46009 to reach the required , since Class 46 locomotives are usually restricted to .
97403–97404
These two locomotives were converted from Class 46 locomotives (97403 was 46035 and 97404 was 46045). They were operated by the Railway Technical Centre at Derby. 97403 was named "Ixion", and was used to evaluate wheelslip. It was painted in RTC's red/blue livery. 97404 was used as a source of spare parts. Both locomotives have been preserved.
97405–97408
thumb|right|Departmental locomotive 97407 at [[Manchester Victoria station in 1986. The locomotive still carried its red nameplate, Aureol, and both of its previous numbers; 40012 and (D)212.]]
These four locomotives were renumbered from Class 40 locomotives, which had all recently been withdrawn from normal traffic. In 1985, they were returned to use and employed on engineering trains around Crewe, and restricted to a maximum speed of . A major scheme was in progress to remodel the railways around Crewe railway station. After these duties finished, the four Class 40s continued in departmental service working ballast, freight and occasional parcels trains until finally being withdrawn in 1986/87. unofficially named Ancient Mariner, this locomotive was cut up at Vic Berry in March 1988. They were modified by the removal of the seats, sealing of the doors and windows, and flattening of the roof. Others worked around North London and Glasgow.
| style="text-align:left;"|37178
| style="text-align:center;"|37
| style="text-align:center;"|2008
| style="text-align:left;"|ERTMS Signalling Test Loco, Cambrian line maintenance
| style="text-align:center;"|-
| style="text-align:left;"|-
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|97304
| style="text-align:left;"|Rheilffordd Talyllyn Railway
| style="text-align:left;"|37217
| style="text-align:center;"|37
| style="text-align:center;"|2008
| style="text-align:left;"|ERTMS Signalling Test Loco, Cambrian Line maintenance
| style="text-align:center;"|-
| style="text-align:left;"|-
|-
| style="background:#cecece; text-align:center;"|97401
| style="background:#cecece; text-align:left;"|-
| style="background:#cecece; text-align:left;"|D146 / 46009
| style="background:#cecece; text-align:center;"|46
| style="background:#cecece; text-align:center;"|1983
| style="background:#cecece; text-align:left;"|Nuclear flask safety test
| style="background:#cecece; text-align:center;"|1984
| style="background:#cecece; text-align:left;"|Destroyed in test (07/84 V Berry at Old Dalby)
|-
| style="background:#cecece; text-align:center;"|97402
| style="background:#cecece; text-align:left;"|-
| style="background:#cecece; text-align:left;"|D160 / 46023
| style="background:#cecece; text-align:center;"|46
| style="background:#cecece; text-align:center;"|1983
| style="background:#cecece; text-align:left;"|Spares for 97401
| style="background:#cecece; text-align:center;"|1984
| style="background:#cecece; text-align:left;"|Scrapped (03/94 J&S Metals at Crewe Basford Hall Yard)
|-
| style="background:#87cefa; text-align:center;"|97403
| style="background:#87cefa; text-align:left;"|Ixion
| style="background:#87cefa; text-align:left;"|D172 / 46035
| style="background:#87cefa; text-align:center;"|46
| style="background:#87cefa; text-align:center;"|1984
| style="background:#87cefa; text-align:left;"|Test trains
| style="background:#87cefa; text-align:center;"|1991
| style="background:#87cefa; text-align:left;"|Preserved at Peak Rail
|-
| style="background:#87cefa; text-align:center;"|97404
| style="background:#87cefa; text-align:left;"|-
| style="background:#87cefa; text-align:left;"|D182 / 46045
| style="background:#87cefa; text-align:center;"|46
| style="background:#87cefa; text-align:center;"|1984
| style="background:#87cefa; text-align:left;"|Test trains
| style="background:#87cefa; text-align:center;"|1991
| style="background:#87cefa; text-align:left;"|Preserved at Midland Railway – Butterley
|-
| style="background:#cecece; text-align:center;"|97405
| style="background:#cecece; text-align:left;"|Ancient Mariner
| style="background:#cecece; text-align:left;"|D260 / 40060
| style="background:#cecece; text-align:center;"|40
| style="background:#cecece; text-align:center;"|1985
| style="background:#cecece; text-align:left;"|Infrastructure trains
| style="background:#cecece; text-align:center;"|1987
| style="background:#cecece; text-align:left;"|Scrapped (03/88 V Berry Leicester)
|-
| style="background:#87cefa; text-align:center;"|97406
| style="background:#87cefa; text-align:left;"|-
| style="background:#87cefa; text-align:left;"|D335 / 40135
| style="background:#87cefa; text-align:center;"|40
| style="background:#87cefa; text-align:center;"|1985
| style="background:#87cefa; text-align:left;"|Infrastructure trains
| style="background:#87cefa; text-align:center;"|1986
| style="background:#87cefa; text-align:left;"|Preserved on East Lancashire Railway
|-
| style="background:#87cefa; text-align:center;"|97407
| style="background:#87cefa; text-align:left;"|Aureol
| style="background:#87cefa; text-align:left;"|D212 / 40012
| style="background:#87cefa; text-align:center;"|40
| style="background:#87cefa; text-align:center;"|1985
| style="background:#87cefa; text-align:left;"|Infrastructure trains
| style="background:#87cefa; text-align:center;"|1986
| style="background:#87cefa; text-align:left;"|Preserved at Midland Railway – Butterley
|-
| style="background:#87cefa; text-align:center;"|97408
| style="background:#87cefa; text-align:left;"|-
| style="background:#87cefa; text-align:left;"|D318 / 40118
| style="background:#87cefa; text-align:center;"|40
| style="background:#87cefa; text-align:center;"|1985
| style="background:#87cefa; text-align:left;"|Infrastructure trains
| style="background:#87cefa; text-align:center;"|1986
| style="background:#87cefa; text-align:left;"|Preserved at Battlefield Railway
|-
| style="background:#cecece; text-align:center;"|97409
| style="background:#cecece; text-align:left;"|Lytham St Anne's
| style="background:#cecece; text-align:left;"|D60 / 45022
| style="background:#cecece; text-align:center;"|45
| style="background:#cecece; text-align:center;"|1987
| style="background:#cecece; text-align:left;"|Infrastructure trains
| style="background:#cecece; text-align:center;"|1988
| style="background:#cecece; text-align:left;"|Scrapped (10/91 MC Metals Glasgow)
|-
| style="background:#cecece; text-align:center;"|97410
| style="background:#cecece; text-align:left;"|-
| style="background:#cecece; text-align:left;"|D30 / 45029
| style="background:#cecece; text-align:center;"|45
| style="background:#cecece; text-align:center;"|1987
| style="background:#cecece; text-align:left;"|Infrastructure trains
| style="background:#cecece; text-align:center;"|1988
| style="background:#cecece; text-align:left;"|Scrapped (10/91 MC Metals Glasgow)
|-
| style="background:#cecece; text-align:center;"|97411
| style="background:#cecece; text-align:left;"|-
| style="background:#cecece; text-align:left;"|D42 / 45034
| style="background:#cecece; text-align:center;"|45
| style="background:#cecece; text-align:center;"|1987
| style="background:#cecece; text-align:left;"|Infrastructure trains
| style="background:#cecece; text-align:center;"|1988
| style="background:#cecece; text-align:left;"|Scrapped (5/92 MC Metals Glasgow)
|-
| style="background:#cecece; text-align:center;"|97412
| style="background:#cecece; text-align:left;"|-
| style="background:#cecece; text-align:left;"|D50 / 45040
| style="background:#cecece; text-align:center;"|45
| style="background:#cecece; text-align:center;"|1987
| style="background:#cecece; text-align:left;"|Infrastructure trains
| style="background:#cecece; text-align:center;"|1988
| style="background:#cecece; text-align:left;"|Scrapped (10/91 MC Metals Glasgow)
|-
| style="background:#cecece; text-align:center;"|97413
| style="background:#cecece; text-align:left;"|-
| style="background:#cecece; text-align:left;"|D114 / 45066
| style="background:#cecece; text-align:center;"|45
| style="background:#cecece; text-align:center;"|1987
| style="background:#cecece; text-align:left;"|Infrastructure trains
| style="background:#cecece; text-align:center;"|1988
| style="background:#cecece; text-align:left;"|Scrapped (10/91 MC Metals Glasgow)
|-
| style="background:#f4a460; text-align:center;"|97472
| style="background:#f4a460; text-align:left;"|-
| style="background:#f4a460; text-align:left;"|D1600 / 47472
| style="background:#f4a460; text-align:center;"|47
| style="background:#f4a460; text-align:center;"|1989
| style="background:#f4a460; text-align:left;"|Test-trains
| style="background:#f4a460; text-align:center;"|1991
| style="background:#f4a460; text-align:left;"|Returned to capital stock – 47472. Scrapped (05/97 MRJ Phillips at Old Oak Common MPD)
|-
| style="background:#f4a460; text-align:center;"|97480
| style="background:#f4a460; text-align:left;"|Robin Hood
| style="background:#f4a460; text-align:left;"|D1616 / 47480
| style="background:#f4a460; text-align:center;"|47
| style="background:#f4a460; text-align:center;"|1989
| style="background:#f4a460; text-align:left;"|Test-trains
| style="background:#f4a460; text-align:center;"|1991
| style="background:#f4a460; text-align:left;"|Returned to capital stock – 47971. Scrapped (11/01 HNRC at EMR Kingsbury)
|-
| style="background:#f4a460; text-align:center;"|97545
| style="background:#f4a460; text-align:left;"|-
| style="background:#f4a460; text-align:left;"|D1646 / 47545
| style="background:#f4a460; text-align:center;"|47
| style="background:#f4a460; text-align:center;"|1989
| style="background:#f4a460; text-align:left;"|Test-trains
| style="background:#f4a460; text-align:center;"|1991
| style="background:#f4a460; text-align:left;"|Returned to capital stock – 47972. Scrapped (03/10 CF Booth Rotherham)
|-
| style="background:#f4a460; text-align:center;"|97561
| style="background:#f4a460; text-align:left;"|<small>Midland Counties Railway</small>
| style="background:#f4a460; text-align:left;"|D1614 / 47034 / 47561
| style="background:#f4a460; text-align:center;"|47
| style="background:#f4a460; text-align:center;"|1989
| style="background:#f4a460; text-align:left;"|Test-trains
| style="background:#f4a460; text-align:center;"|1991
| style="background:#f4a460; text-align:left;"|Returned to capital stock – 47973. Scrapped (03/97 MRJ Phillips at Crewe Works)
|- style="background:#87cefa;"
| style="text-align:center;"|97650
| style="text-align:left;"|-
| style="text-align:left;"|PWM650
| style="text-align:center;"|-
| style="text-align:center;"|New (1953)
| style="text-align:left;"|Shunting duties
| style="text-align:center;"|1987
| style="text-align:left;"|Preserved on Lincolnshire Wolds Railway
|- style="background:#87cefa;"
| style="text-align:center;"|97651
| style="text-align:left;"|-
| style="text-align:left;"|PWM651
| style="text-align:center;"|-
| style="text-align:center;"|New (1959)
| style="text-align:left;"|Shunting duties
| style="text-align:center;"|1996
| style="text-align:left;"|Preserved on Swindon and Cricklade Railway
|- style="background:#cecece;"
| style="text-align:center;"|97652
| style="text-align:left;"|-
| style="text-align:left;"|PWM652
| style="text-align:center;"|-
| style="text-align:center;"|New (1959)
| style="text-align:left;"|Shunting duties
| style="text-align:center;"|1987
| style="text-align:left;"|Scrapped (1990)
|- style="background:pink;"
| style="text-align:center;"|97653
| style="text-align:left;"|-
| style="text-align:left;"|PWM653
| style="text-align:center;"|-
| style="text-align:center;"|New (1959)
| style="text-align:left;"|Shunting duties
| style="text-align:center;"|1993
| style="text-align:left;"|Withdrawn
|- style="background:#87cefa;"
| style="text-align:center;"|97654
| style="text-align:left;"|-
| style="text-align:left;"|PWM654
| style="text-align:center;"|-
| style="text-align:center;"|New (1959)
| style="text-align:left;"|Shunting duties
| style="text-align:center;"|2005
| style="text-align:left;"|Preserved on Peak Rail
|-
| style="background:#cecece; text-align:center;"|97701
| style="background:#cecece; text-align:left;"|-
| style="background:#cecece; text-align:left;"|61136 / 975178
| style="background:#cecece; text-align:center;"|501
| style="background:#cecece; text-align:center;"|1974
| style="background:#cecece; text-align:left;"|Battery locomotive at Birkenhead