BR Swindon class “03” 0-6-0DM*

Heidi

(* now very much a DH)

This class of loco was based directly on the proven Drewry Car design, so forms a logical development from the earlier Drewry loco in Andrew's collection.

Built for general purpose shunting, they incorporated a 5-speed gearbox to enable them to 'trip' at up to 30mph between duties, but otherwise had the same basic configuration (Gardner 1200rpm engine - fluid coupling - change speed box - reversing box) as the earlier industrial/military examples.

D2128 was withdrawn in July 1976 and was sold to a scrapyard in Long Marston, where the Gardner 8L3/fluid coupling was removed for sale but then the rest of the loco sold seperately for use in Belgium (leaving on the Harwich Ferry in December 1976), where the gaping hole under the casings was filled with an air cooled engine and hydrostatic components to match up to the original 5-speed transmission. Additionally about 10 tons of steel slabs were welded into the chassis bringing the weight of the loco up to around 37/38tons.

Repatriated in the 1990s, it worked at Peak Rail for a while but was then sold to the Nottingham Sleeper company (where it is said that engine failure occurred) and on via Cotswold Rail, ending up at the Dean Forest Railway, from whence Andrew bought it in April, 2008.

Moved in July to Scunthorpe, the remaining incomplete Belgian components were removed, (together with the ballast which was detrimental to axles and springs as well as "in the way" of the proposed new engine and transmission) and work has begun to install a Cummins 14 litre engine and 2-speed Twin Disc transmission.

This was the remains of the Deutz V12 air cooled engine as it was when Andrew aquired it - one bank of barrels and cylinder heads missing, as well as two pistons. Having been open to atmosphere for several years, it was not worth even attempting to rebuild, so it, together with the VM hydraulic pump (out of sight on the back) were sold for spares to the Royal Deesside Railway, who possess another such conversion.

Andrew prepares to lift out one of the ballast trays- this one directly under the Deutz engine. At one point it was discovered that the "tray" had been welded in such a manner that it would not lift clear of the original frame stretchers, and the entire loco started to lift off the ground...

A number of unwanted components have been sold to assist other owners of 03s in restoration. Chassis cleaning was carried out and installation drawings prepared for re-power. The envisaged specification on completion is that D2128 will be approximately 300bhp, with a top speed still around 30mph, and be dual (air and vacuum) braked.

The transmission, cooler groups and air cleaner arrived at Scunthorpe within the Palvan on 25th March, 2010. A Cummins NT855  joined the other "lumps" in the Palvan on 7th April. By November all the mounting brackets and anti-vibration mounts were on site at Scunthorpe, but bad weather precluded even trial fitting the components to the chassis.  In the event, the front frame mounting bracket was put in place during January 2011 (below) and the left and right rear brackets in place by April, however, the power unit was not finally installed until the 3rd September.

By January 2012 the radiator, compressor, fuel tank, powershift cooler and air filter had all been installed and work was in hand for the exhauster, converter cooler, hosing, wiring, etc. The AFRPS is planning a diesel gala for May 2012 and D2128 is expected to be running for it.

Casing tops and front refitted - 3rd February 2012