Ruston and Hornsby 165hp Diesel Shunter 319290

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RustonRuston and Hornsby Ltd. of Lincoln, engineer and locomotive manufacturer acquired by English Electric in 1966. Also, Ruston-Bucyrus Ltd established in 1930 and jointly owned by Ruston and Hornsby and Bucyrus-Erie (US) and Hornsby 165hp Diesel Shunter 319290
D2957 319290 20170514.jpg
'D2957' at Bewdley in May 2017, newly renumbered 319290
Built By RustonRuston and Hornsby Ltd. of Lincoln, engineer and locomotive manufacturer acquired by English Electric in 1966. Also, Ruston-Bucyrus Ltd established in 1930 and jointly owned by Ruston and Hornsby and Bucyrus-Erie (US) & Hornsby
Configuration 0-4-0
Power type Diesel Mechanical
Status Operational
Loco Number 319290
Other Numbers D2957 (fictitious)
History
Built 1952
Designed By RustonRuston and Hornsby Ltd. of Lincoln, engineer and locomotive manufacturer acquired by English Electric in 1966. Also, Ruston-Bucyrus Ltd established in 1930 and jointly owned by Ruston and Hornsby and Bucyrus-Erie (US) & Hornsby
Type DM165
1972 Arrived on SVRSevern Valley Railway
Technical
Length 22ft 1in
Weight 28t

Diesel Locomotives


RustonRuston and Hornsby Ltd. of Lincoln, engineer and locomotive manufacturer acquired by English Electric in 1966. Also, Ruston-Bucyrus Ltd established in 1930 and jointly owned by Ruston and Hornsby and Bucyrus-Erie (US) and Hornsby Diesel Shunter 319290 is the longest serving of a number of 165 h.p. RustonRuston and Hornsby Ltd. of Lincoln, engineer and locomotive manufacturer acquired by English Electric in 1966. Also, Ruston-Bucyrus Ltd established in 1930 and jointly owned by Ruston and Hornsby and Bucyrus-Erie (US) and Hornsby diesel shunters acquired by the SVRSevern Valley Railway, and is of the diesel-mechanical variety.

319290 in Service

The locomotive was built by RustonRuston and Hornsby Ltd. of Lincoln, engineer and locomotive manufacturer acquired by English Electric in 1966. Also, Ruston-Bucyrus Ltd established in 1930 and jointly owned by Ruston and Hornsby and Bucyrus-Erie (US) and Hornsby of Lincoln as works number 319290 of 1953 for use by Robertson Thain at their Ellesmere Port ironworks. In February 1960 it was sold to B.I.P. Chemicals at Langley Green where it was used in the sidings on the Stourbridge to Birmingham line[1].

319290 in Preservation

319290 was the first RustonRuston and Hornsby Ltd. of Lincoln, engineer and locomotive manufacturer acquired by English Electric in 1966. Also, Ruston-Bucyrus Ltd established in 1930 and jointly owned by Ruston and Hornsby and Bucyrus-Erie (US) and Hornsby shunter on the SVRSevern Valley Railway, arriving from B.I.P on 18 March 1972 initially on loan[2] but soon acquired by SVR(H). At the time it was considered the only reliable diesel shunter and was initially based at Bridgnorth where it was in constant demand for shunting duties as well as being used on Engineers’ trains along the line.[3] In February 1973 319290 was called on to shunt GWR Large Prairie 4141 up the back road at Hampton Loade station into its new home for restoration, a task which had defeated the smaller shunter D577 Mary the previous weekend.[4] In spring of that year it was also used for the first time on a weed killing train composed of wagons, the annual task having previously been carried out from small and slow moving Wickham trolleys.[5]

In June 1973, 3205 failed near Oldbury on a Hampton Loade to Bridgnorth train. 319290 went to the rescue and hauled the train into Bridgnorth, so becoming the first of the SVRSevern Valley Railway's Rustons to haul a passenger service.[2]

During winter 1974-75 319290 suffered a mechanical issue, resulting in it only being able to travel forwards. WD 193 Shropshire was therefore kept serviceable for use on works trains until repairs were completed.[6]

Originally the locomotive had no number other than its works number. In winter 1975 it was repainted from green into maroon livery with cream lining,[3] after which it was commonly referred to as the "Red RustonRuston and Hornsby Ltd. of Lincoln, engineer and locomotive manufacturer acquired by English Electric in 1966. Also, Ruston-Bucyrus Ltd established in 1930 and jointly owned by Ruston and Hornsby and Bucyrus-Erie (US)".

In 1977 SVRSevern Valley Railway News reported the story of 45110 being derailed on a piece of coal. The article noted that "The driver involved already has his name inscribed on the trophy recording these events, a small matter involving the RustonRuston and Hornsby Ltd. of Lincoln, engineer and locomotive manufacturer acquired by English Electric in 1966. Also, Ruston-Bucyrus Ltd established in 1930 and jointly owned by Ruston and Hornsby and Bucyrus-Erie (US) diesel and a crushed Wickham trolley."[7] The RustonRuston and Hornsby Ltd. of Lincoln, engineer and locomotive manufacturer acquired by English Electric in 1966. Also, Ruston-Bucyrus Ltd established in 1930 and jointly owned by Ruston and Hornsby and Bucyrus-Erie (US) was in trouble again on Good Friday, 13 April 1979 when it was derailed on trap points in Bridgnorth yard, requiring re-railing by the steam crane and delaying the planned boiler lift of LMS 5000 until the following day.[8]

In late 1980 the SVRSevern Valley Railway acquired a further four 165hp RustonRuston and Hornsby Ltd. of Lincoln, engineer and locomotive manufacturer acquired by English Electric in 1966. Also, Ruston-Bucyrus Ltd established in 1930 and jointly owned by Ruston and Hornsby and Bucyrus-Erie (US) Diesel shunters after the closure of the Paten Shaft Steelworks at Wednesbury. Of those in the best condition, 11509 Alan was allocated as Bewdley shunter, while works no 418956 was the Diesel Electric version and was originally intended for Permanent Way duties.[9] However, experience proved that it was better suited to yard work, leaving 319290 allocated to P.WayPermanent Way duties.[10]

In 1980 the engine received a thorough overhaul, the first since arrival. The locomotive also spent a period on loan to the Army depot at Long Marston while their own shunter was under repair.[2] In late 1981 319290 received attention to the axleboxes at Bridgnorth.[11]

During 1982 the locomotive was still in regular use on P.WayPermanent Way trains, being photographed during relaying of sleepers at Folly Point in November.[12] On 28 February 1983, it became the first locomotive to cross the newly built Bridgnorth Bypass Bridge.[13] However by 1985, consideration was being given to acquiring a more powerful loco for P.WayPermanent Way work, the RustonRuston and Hornsby Ltd. of Lincoln, engineer and locomotive manufacturer acquired by English Electric in 1966. Also, Ruston-Bucyrus Ltd established in 1930 and jointly owned by Ruston and Hornsby and Bucyrus-Erie (US)'s 15 mph top speed on what had become a 16 mile railway with heavier works trains resulting in restricted loads and reduced working time on site and from time to time the need double heading with D2960 Silver Spoon. This resulted in the establishing of the SVR P-Way Diesel Fund[14] and the eventual purchase of BR Class 25 D7633, which arrived in January 1988. However 319290 continued to see occasional P.WayPermanent Way use, including being used during the laying of tracks for the new platform 2 at Kidderminster in 1990.[15].

After a period out of use, the ‘Red RustonRuston and Hornsby Ltd. of Lincoln, engineer and locomotive manufacturer acquired by English Electric in 1966. Also, Ruston-Bucyrus Ltd established in 1930 and jointly owned by Ruston and Hornsby and Bucyrus-Erie (US)’ was lifted for wheel removal and mechanical repairs at Kidderminster in March 1991. The wheels were sent to Bridgnorth for journal turning,[16] while the repairs incorporated parts from several other Rustons subsequently cannibalised for parts, including Alan and Archibald. The locomotive was also repainted in BRBritish Rail or British Railways green livery with the fictitious number D2957.[2]

In summer 1994, D2957 became the first locomotive to be turned on the new Kidderminster Turntable. It was driven by Dave Shackleford, who also used it for powering the weed killing train worked over the whole line in spring 1995. After a further spell out of use, Brian Bessey renovated the engine.[2]

In 2003 D2957 was recorded as serviceable and based at Bewdley.[17] Since that time it has continued to act as yard shunter in Bewdley Down Yard. In January 2015 most of the materials and equipment for the work carried out by Severn Trent Water on the Elan Valley Aqueduct were transported to site from Bewdley goods yard by D2957 due to the unsuitability of Northwood Lane for heavy traffic (see photo below).

In May 2017 the locomotive was repainted in R&HRuston and Hornsby Ltd. of Lincoln, engineer and locomotive manufacturer acquired by English Electric in 1966. Also, Ruston-Bucyrus Ltd established in 1930 and jointly owned by Ruston and Hornsby and Bucyrus-Erie (US) livery and renumbered 319290. It is maintained by the Bewdley Carriage & Wagon Department.

Gallery

See also

References

  1. SVRSevern Valley Railway News 23
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 SVRSevern Valley Railway News 133, "The Early SVRSevern Valley Railway shunters", Chris Magner
  3. 3.0 3.1 SVRSevern Valley Railway Stock Book Ninth Edition
  4. SVRSevern Valley Railway News 41
  5. SVRSevern Valley Railway News 33
  6. SVRSevern Valley Railway News 35
  7. SVRSevern Valley Railway News 44
  8. SVRSevern Valley Railway News 52
  9. SVRSevern Valley Railway News 58
  10. SVRSevern Valley Railway News 60
  11. SVRSevern Valley Railway News 62
  12. SVRSevern Valley Railway News 69
  13. SVRSevern Valley Railway News 68
  14. SVRSevern Valley Railway News 79
  15. SVRSevern Valley Railway News 98
  16. SVRSevern Valley Railway News 100
  17. SVRSevern Valley Railway News 146