Simplex 60S

The Motor Rail / Simplex 60S was, along with the 40S, the successors to the highly successful 32/42. The 60S has increased power between 50 to 72hp and had an improved version of the 32/42's three speed gearbox [1]. The 60S could be fitted with a cab or an exhaust quencher depending on the customer's requirements.

Sandy (11218/1962) at the Statfold Barn Railway

Information
Builder:	Simplex
Motor:	Dorman L series diesel
Power:	Up to 72 hp (52 kW)
Wheel arrangement:	4wDM

The illustrated locomotive, Sandy, is Simplex 11218/1962 which is fitted for 607mm gauge. It is preserved at the Lancashire Mining Museum [2] and is shown whilst undergoing work at the Statfold Barn Railway.

Another view of Sandy

Sandy is fitted with a cab

[1] Alan M. Keef, Simplex Locomotives at Work (Lightmoor Press, 2019) p. 11

[2] Industrial Locomotives Handbook 18th Edition (Industrial Railway Society, 2019) p. 157

Motor Rail / Simplex Petrol Locomotives

From 1916 the Motor Rail company of Bedford (later known as Simplex) produced hundreds of small petrol engine railway tractors for the War Department. These were used by the British Army in France operating on 600mm gauge track behind the trenches. An armoured and uprated (40hp) version was also produced.

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

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