Richard Hornsby & Sons were among the pioneers of internal-combustion engined locomotives, constructing several from 1896. Rather ungainly machines fitted with a horizontal single cylinder Hornsby-Akroyd oil engine of 9½bhp thee locomotives were built for service in the more sensitive areas of the Woolwich Arsenal, areas off-limits to steam locomotives.
Ruston, Proctor & Co built their first internal combuston engine locomotives in 1915 for the War Office. Based on contemporary Deutz designs a Ruston ZRH petrol/parafin engine of 10bhp (single cylinder) or 20bhp (2 cylinders) could be fitted. Most were ordered for use around munitions factories and the last known example was built in 1930.
Ruston, Proctor & Co bought Richard Hornsby & Sons in September 1918, forming a new company titles Ruston & Hornsby Ltd.
Construction of the Ruston, Proctor locomotives continued, however in 1931 a range of narrow gauge locomotives was announced with engine options from 10 to 48bhp. In 1936 a standard gauge version of the most powerful 44/48 class was constructed for shunting at HJ Heinz' Willesden factory.
While the narrow gauge models were considered 'locomotives' the standard gauge version was classified as 'shunters', hence the code 48DS for 48bhp Diesel Shunter. The 48DS was offered as an economical alternative to a small steam locomotive or horse when only occasional shunting tasks were needed. In addition to being more economical on fuel the diesel not needing to be kept running or manned when idle. Several hundred 48DS shunters were built, serving with many industrial users, including many with just one siding where wagons needed to be re-positioned during the working day.
Some 48DS shunters have still been in use with construction contractors in recent years, a temporary railway sometimes being a better option than making a road capable to handling heavy loads like bridge trusses. Many 48DS have also passed into preservation and while of limited use for passenger trains a small diesel is always a boon to the permanent way team to get materials to site in the winter.
Small industry settings provide a wealth of choice of themes for the modeller and many locations where 48DS shunters worked comprised little more than a private siding serving a loading dock or a siding with a coal tip where only one wagon could be loaded or emptied at a time. The 48DS is sure to be a boom for modellers wanting a prototypically restricted shunting layout.
The Heljan O gauge 48DS model features:
Authentic detail variations including
- Original open style cab and the later enclosed design
- Standard or deep bufferbeams
- Optional lifting rings for the sides of the underframe.
Standard Features
- Separately switchable headlamps
- A fully detailed cab interior
- Next18 DCC decoder interface
- Factory-fitted speaker in the radiator section
- Compact 5-pole motor with flywheel and super-low gearing for the ultimate in slow speed shunting control
- Wire Handrails
- Finely detailed chassis with chain drive and brake gear
- Wire mesh radiator grille