In 1932 the Hunslet Engine Company built a small diesel-mechanical shunter as a demonstrator. It was unveiled at the British Industries Fair in that year and for a time worked at the colliery. It was given a trial by the LMS in 1933. They liked it so much they bought it a few months later! The shunter, given the LMS number 7051, had an eventful life. It was loaned to the War Department in 1940. After the war it was sold back to Hunslet who used it as a works shunter and was hired out to industry. Since 1960 the shunter has been preserved by the Middleton Railway.
 |
| The shunter's early days on the Middleton Railway [1] |
| Information |
| Number built: |
1 |
| Built: |
1932 |
| Builder: |
Hunslet Engine Company |
| Motor: |
(original) MAN WV16/22 diesel |
| Power: |
150 hp (112 kW) |
| Wheel Arrangement: |
0-6-0DM |
The shunter has a four speed pre-selector gearbox. The original MAN diesel was replaced by a 132 hp (98 kW) McLaren Ricardo MR6.
[1] Arthur Gaunt, The World's Oldest Railway (Meccano Magazine November 1963) p. 451
