Hornby TT:120 BR Class 08 0-6-0 Shunter 08817 – A Shunting Legend in Miniature

Introducing the Hornby TT:120 BR Class 08 0-6-0 Diesel Shunter, running number 08817—a beautifully detailed model that celebrates the long-standing service and character of Britain’s most iconic shunting locomotive.

Finished in striking BR Blue, this model captures the locomotive’s appearance during Era 8 (1986–2005), making it an ideal addition for layouts set in the later years of British Rail.

Key Features:

• DCC Ready with an easy-to-fit socket for digital conversion.

• Directional lighting and working headlamps, bringing your yard scenes to life.

• Highly detailed bodywork true to the original design.

• Suitable for compact layouts, depots, and industrial sidings.

To create an authentic shunting scene, pair 08817 with HAA hoppers to reflect its continued use in freight operations during this era. Add a brake van to complete a classic yard formation—commonly coupled with shunters during local movements.

A Storied Service Life

Built at Derby Works, this 350hp shunter began its career in August 1960 as D3985, based at Tyseley Depot in Birmingham. It moved to Saltley in 1967, and soon after headed to Scotland, serving at both Haymarket (Edinburgh)and Ferryhill (Aberdeen).

Reclassified under the TOPS system as 08817 in November 1974, the locomotive was later transferred to Thornaby in the 1980s, still wearing BR blue. In later years, it received a distinctive black livery with the depot’s white Kingfisher motif, standing out among its peers.

After over four decades of loyal service, 08817 was withdrawn in May 2004 and scrapped later that year—marking the end of a remarkable operational journey.

Whether you're recreating a bustling freight yard or building an Era 8 layout with precision and character, the Hornby TT:120 Class 08 08817 offers both realism and historical depth in a compact, beautifully engineered model.