[4][5] Most were withdrawn early (due to a surplus of shunting locomotives, resulting from the network cuts of the 1960s) and replaced by classes 03 and 04, with the exception of D2554, which was transferred to the Isle of Wight, in 1966, to aid the electrification of the Island Line.

It was transferred to departmental stock in 1981, being given the number 97803,[6] and remained in service until 1985, when it was withdrawn and sold to the Isle of Wight Steam Railway.

It is one of a batch of four built by Hunslet in 1958 with a 264 hp National Gas engine and a higher bonnet line.

DL26 and its sister DL25 worked in the NCB East Midlands area at Pleasley Pit, from where it was acquired for preservation.

The Isle of Wight Steam Railway's own 05 001/D2554 can be seen frequently but it cannot run passenger trains, due to the Island's unique vintage air braked rolling stock.