 |
| 4217 (1931) at NRM Shildon |
| Information for post-WW1 standard gauge petrol shunter | |
|---|---|
| Built: | 1919-48 |
| Builder: | Motor Rail |
| Motor: | Dorman 4JO petrol engine |
| Power: | 40 hp (30 kW) |
| Wheel arrangement: | 4wPM |
Following the end of the First World War Motor Rail went on to built hundreds of standard gauge shunters which used the engine and gearbox of the 40hp tractor [1]. The type remained in construction until 1948 and some survived in service until the 1980s. Some were bought by the Great Western Railway in the early 1920s used in locations such as Bridgwater Docks and Didcot Provender Stores [2]. They survived into British Railways days though all were scrapped by 1960. The LNER also operated a couple, one purchased by it's predecessor company the GER in 1919 to replace a horse called Peggy! [3]
Number 4217 (1931) as shown worked at Berry Wiggins and Bulmers before entering preservation in 2004. It is now at NRM Shildon.
[1] Alan M. Keef, Simplex Locomotives at Work (Lightmoor Press, 1919) p. 9
[2] Paul Smith & Shirley Smith, British Rail Departmental Locomotives 1948-1968 (Ian Allan, 2014) p. 19
[3] Brian Haresnape, Diesel Shunters (Ian Allan, 1984) p. 76