Although most went to industrial users two 165DS 0-4-0 shunters were sold to British Railways as the Class DY1, later renamed D1/3 [2]. Incidentally the prototype of this type of shunter was loaned to the LNER for a short period just before nationalisation for testing and evaluation though nothing more came of this at the time. The two D1/3s worked in the Stratford area until withdrawal in the late 1960s. One was preserved along with a good number of ex-industrial 165s which are a common sight on preserved railways.
| Information for Class D1/3 | |
|---|---|
| Number built: | 2 |
| Built: | 1956 |
| Builder: | Ruston & Hornsby |
| Engine: | Ruston 6VPHL diesel |
| Power: | 165 hp (123 kW) |
| Wheel arrangement: | 0-4-0 |
Five 0-6-0 165DE shunters were also bought for departmental service by BR Western Region's civil engineering department, the first arriving in 1952 and the rest 1959 [3]. These were known as the Class 97/6 [4] and served until the late 1980s and early 90s at locations like Radyr, Taunton, Reading and Swindon [5] mainly shunting long welded rail trains [6]. Three of these locomotives have been preserved.
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| Former 97/6 PWM654 preserved at the Heritage Shunters Trust, Rowsley South |
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| D2961 at Bridgnorth, SVR |
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| Former BIP Chemicals shunter 31920 (165DM) seen at Highley, SVR |
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| GEC 424841 165DE Roman at Foxfield Railway |
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| Another view of PWM654 |
[1] Ray Hooley, Engine Production Years <http://www.oldengine.org/members/ruston/Production5.htm>
[2] Brian Haresnape, Diesel Shunters (Ian Allan, 1984) p. 52
[3] Paul Smith & Shirley Smith, British Rail Departmental Locomotives 1948-1968 (Ian Allan, 2014) p. 19
[4] Haresnape, Shunters p. 79
[5] Colin J. Marsden, Departmental Stock (Ian Allan, 1984) p. 108
[6] Heritage Shunters Trust Stock List (2016) p. 12