Diesel locos no longer based at Alston

Locomotive No. 2 - Hudson-Hunslet 4 wheel DM �Ayle�

Locomotive Details:-
�� This diesel mechanical locomotive was built in 1942, works no. 2607. It retained its original 20 horse power, 2 cylinder Ailsa Craig RFS2 diesel engine, driving a Hunslet 2 speed gear-box with final chain drive, giving maximum speeds of 3.5 and 7 m.p.h. and tractive effort of 1,820 lbs. (848 kg).

History and Preservation:-
�� Built for the War Department, it worked at an unknown military location in Cumbria, prior to purchase by Mr. R. P. Morris, Longfield, Kent, for his preservation project. It was kept at Pen-Yr-Orsedd Quarry, Nantlle, Gwynedd, before transfer to the Narrow Gauge Railway Centre, Gloddfa Ganol, Blaenau Ffestiniog.
�� It was bought by the Durham Narrow Gauge Group in 1980. After arrival at Alston it was completely rebuilt, including a full mechanical overhaul, the fitting of a raised cab and electric starter motor, and it was the first narrow gauge locomotive to run under its own power at Alston having been fitted with air brakes in 1984, for a white it acted as a standby locomotive to Hibberd No.1 �Phoenix�. Being too small for current South Tynedale Railway requirements, it was sold in 1991 to Mr. Bob Cant of the Slaggyford Light Railway.

Photo: Hudson-Hunslet 4-wheel diesel mechanical locomotive No. 2 �Ayle� at Gilderdale Station with a passenger train in September 1987. Behind it is a 4-wheel diesel hydraulic locomotive No.8 �The Peril�, which is now based at the Leadhills and Wanlochhead Railway in South West Scotland.

Dimensions and livery:-
Original dimensions:-
Weight = 3.5 tons. Length = 8 ft 3 in. (2,515 mm). Width = 3 ft 6 in. (1,067 mm). Height to bonnet = 5 ft (1,524 mm).
Wheel diameter = 1 ft 6 in. (457 mm). Wheelbase = 3 ft. (914 mm).

Livery: Red bodywork, black frames, red buffer beams.

Locomotive No. 5 - Simplex Motor Rail 4 wheel DM

Locomotive Details:-
�� This diesel mechanical locomotive was built by Motor Rail of Bedford, under their �Simplex� trade name in 1967, works no. 11297. It was fitted with a 60 horse power, 3 cylinder Dorman 3LB diesel engine, driving a 3 speed gear-box with final chain drive.

History and Preservation:-
�� It worked at British Industrial Sand, Middleton Towers, Norfolk, as fleet No. 24 until 1978, prior to being bought by the Leighton Buzzard Narrow Gauge Railway. It was sold to A. Keefe, Cote, Bampton, Oxfordshire and then bought by the South Tynedale Railway Preservation Society in 1982 for use during the Manpower Services Commission schemes from 1980 to 1983. As it required a major overhaul, and had seen little use in later years, it was sold to the Leighton Buzzard Narrow Gauge Railway in 1990.

Photo: Simplex Motor Rail 4-wheel diesel mechanical locomotive No.5 in action on a freight train at Alston on 29th April 1989.

Dimensions and livery:-
Original dimensions:-
Weight = 7.5 tons.

Livery: Light blue central bodywork with red buffer beam ends and black underframe.

Locomotive No. 7 - Hunslet 0-4-0 DM

Locomotive Details:-
�� This 0-4-0 diesel mechanical locomotive was built by Hunslet Engine Co., of Leeds in 1966, works no. 6619. It was fitted with driving cabs at each end, a 70 horse power, 4 cylinder Gardner 4LW diesel engine, Hunslet clutch driving a Hunslet 2 speed, air change, gear-box. The final drive is by jackshaft and coupling rods, giving maximum speeds of 5 and 10 m.p.h..

History and Preservation:-
�� It was built as a flameproof underground mines locomotive for the National Coal Board and used at Knockshinnoch Castle Colliery, Ayrshire, as Plant No. 9303/0057, until 1968. Transferred to Whittle Colliery, Northumberland, for service use until 1976. Rebuilt at Ashington workshops and sent to Seaham driver training centre in 1978. Transferred to Ashington Central Workshops in 1982, withdrawn in 1986, and finally purchased by the Durham Narrow Gauge Group, with the possibility of conversion similar to Hudswell-Clarke diesel locomotive No. 4 �Naworth�. As it was not ideally suited to conversion for passenger use at Alston, it was sold to the Leighton Buzzard Narrow Gauge Railway in 1989.

Photo: Hunslet 0-4-0 diesel mechanical locomotive No.7 in action at Alston Station in 1986.

Dimensions and livery:-
Original dimensions:-
Weight = 12 tons.

Livery: White with yellow buffer beams, yellow and black wasp strip ends, red coupling rods.

Locomotive No. 8 - Hunslet 4 wheel DH �The Peril�

Locomotive Details:-
�� This 4-wheel diesel hydraulic locomotive was rebuilt in 1975, works no. 6347. It was fitted with a 60 h.p., 6 cylinder Perkins 6354 diesel engine, connected to a torque convertor driving a single speed Hunslet gear-box, with hydraulic clutches for forward and reverse. Final drive by chain. Maximum speed 7 m.p.h., tractive effort 4,750 lbs. (2,155 kg).

History and Preservation:-
�� Used from new, by the National Coal Board for shunting duties in the yards of Eppleton Colliery, Co. Durham, where it was designated the Plant No. 20/180/4. It was withdrawn from service on the closure of the colliery, it was bought by the Durham Narrow Gauge Group in 1986. On arrival at Alston it was fully overhauled and fitted with a larger cab and air brakes. It was sold to the Lowthers Railway Society at Leadhills, South West Scotland in 1989, where it operates trains on the Leadhills and Wanlockhead Railway in a new blue livery and has been named �Clyde�.

Photo: Hunslet 4-wheel diesel hydraulic locomotive No.8 �The Peril�, photographed at Alston Station in September 1987, this locomotive is now based at the Leadhills and Wanlockhead Railway in South West Scotland.

Dimensions and livery:-
Original dimensions:-
Weight = 8 tons. Wheel diameter = 2 ft. (610 mm). Wheelbase = 4 ft. (1,219 mm).

Livery: Whilst based on the South Tynedale Railway - Yellow body with yellow and black wasp stripe buffer beams and black underframes. Currently painted with blue bodywork on the Leadhills and Wanlockhead Railway.

4 wheel Ruston and Hornsby diesel mechanical locomotive.

Built by Ruston and Hornsby of Lincoln in 1943, works no. 222101. Tractive effort 18 h.p. with 3 speed gearbox.
Formerly worked at Holmebank Mining Co., Derbyshire.
Whilst based at Alston it was out of use, requiring gearbox repairs. It was sold to the Telford Horsehay Steam Trust and transported to their site at Telford in November 1999.

Livery (whilst based at Alston): Dark blue with black underframe.

This page has been created by Daniel McIntyre, a South Tynedale Railway Preservation Society member.
For information about him, please see Daniel McIntyre�s Home Page.

For more information about the South Tynedale Railway, please contact:-
SOUTH TYNEDALE RAILWAY PRESERVATION SOCIETY
The Railway Station, Alston, Cumbria, CA9 3JB.
Tel. 01434 381696.�� Talking timetable tel. 01434 382828.

E-mail addresses: South Tynedale Railway information - [email protected]
or [email protected]
STRPS membership and Tynedalesman information - [email protected]

This page was last updated on 10th November 2000.
� Daniel McIntyre and the South Tynedale Railway Preservation Society 2000.

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