Non-Steam Locomotives: Exhibit No. 11
‘ED10’ Diesel locomotive
Type: 4WDM Class 48-DS diesel–mechanical locomotive
Track gauge: Originally 3 feet
Motive power: 48 h.p. Ruston 4-cylinder 4YC diesel engine
Built by: Ruston & Hornsby Ltd, Lincoln, 1958. Works No. 411322
Working life: Delivered new to British Railways, this engine worked at Beeston (Notts) Sleeper Depot as Engineering Department No. 10 (ED10) until withdrawn from service in 1965 and sold to T.W. Ward. In May 1966 it passed to the Cleveland Bridge & Engineering Co. Ltd and was used on the Tinsley Motorway Viaduct contract at Sheffield, after which it went to Sheperd Hill & Co. Ltd in November 1969.
It then moved to Trackbed Hovercraft Ltd at Earith, Huntingdon, where it was converted to operate on ‘Hovertrack’ by the addition of solid rubber-tyred road wheels amid outriggers for guidance. It was eventually sold to Mr E. Hampton of St Ives.
History to date: EDIO arrived at Irchester in September 1987 and was stored at the Trust’s old site at the BR goods yard. Moved to the present site in 1988, it was later re-gauged to 1 metre. The wheels were pressed out at Wolverton BR works. The brake gear then had to be modified to suit and new couplings have been fitted. ED10 is now complete and fully operational.
One of the ‘Hovertrack’ road wheels is on display in the museum.
Present status: On long-term loan to Irchester Narrow Gauge Railway Trust.