Based on the diesel shunting locomotives of the LMS, which later became the class 11, the class 08 was created as the standard shunting locomotive for British Railways. Power was provided by a six-cylinder from English Electric via two electric traction motors and coupling rods. 996 units were built in about ten years, making the class 08 the most-built British diesel locomotive. The classes 09, 10 and 13 were also created on this basis. The last pair of class 08 locomotives are still in commercial use today and more than 80 are preserved today, many of them operational. 