Simplex 20/28

Motor Rail (later Simplex) built thousands of small petrol and diesel shunters for the military and industry, mostly for narrow gauge lines. The biggest seller was the 20/28 which was in production from 1935 to 1959 [1].
Motor Rail 7108/1936 Arkle at the Leighton Buzzard Light Railway

Information
Built: 1935-59
Builder: Motor Rail
Motor: Dorman 2DWD diesel
Power: 20 hp (15 kW)
Wheel arrangement: 4wDM

The 20/28 was a development of older Motor Rail locomotives which had their origin in petrol trench tractor shunters built for the British Army in the First World War. The 20/28 was available in two weights (2½ and 4½ tons) and could be fitted with a cab if needed. Many were used underground in mines and could be fitted with an exhaust conditioner.

Some continued in use in the 1980s and 90s. Many have been preserved.
Another Simplex at the Leighton Buzzard Light Railway

Number 30 (Motor Rail 8695/1941) at Stonehenge Works

Another view of Arkle

Cabless Motor Rail 9976/1954 at the Statfold Barn Railway
Motor Rail 8720/1941 Anna at Stonehenge Works


[1] Alan M Keef, Simplex Locomotives at Work (Lightmoor Press, 2019) p. 9