Non-Steam Locomotives: Exhibit No. 12
‘Blue Circle’ Diesel locomotive
Type: 6WDM Class 100-DL diesel–mechanical locomotive
Track gauge: 3 feet
Motive power: 150 h.p. Gardner LW6A 6-cylinder diesel engine
Built by: Ruston & Hornsby Ltd, Lincoln, 1949. Works No. 281290
Working life: One of a pair supplied to Associated Portland Cement Manufacturers Ltd in 1949 which worked in the Ufton Lime pits in Warwickshire, just over the county border. It was later transferred to the Kilvington Gypsum quarry in Nottinghamshire, where it worked until closure of the operation in 1984.
History to date: After closure of the quarry at Kilvington (then part of the Blue Circle Industries Group), The locomotive was donated to the Northamptonshire Locomotive Group and arrived at Irchester in December 1984.
It is now the sole survivor of its class, which were the most powerful narrow-gauge diesel locomotives to be built by Ruston & Hornsby.
Being of 3 foot gauge, the locomotive is housed inside the museum building as a static exhibit – still carrying the marks of an extremely hard working life – but the engine is run occasionally to keep it ‘alive’.
Present status: On permanent loan to Irchester Narrow Gauge Railway Trust.