Complete Kerr, Stuart 6w Diesel (4415) Pro Version [X7nYAjRt]

History

This kit represents the Kerr, Stuart & Co. Ltd. range of standard narrow gauge diesel locomotives produced between 1928 and 1930, and the 60 HP class in particular. One of a choice of two versions may be made using this kit, The prototype of the range No.4415/28 was constructed in 1928 ran trials on the Welsh Highland Rly where it hauled trains on the Bryngwyn branch it was later transferred to the Festiniog Railway where its duties included shunting Minfordd yard. After return to the makers it was used by the contractors building the East Lancs. road, later still it was re-gauged to 3 foot and sent for further trials, this time in ireland on the Castlederg and Victoria Bridge Railway.

In 1930/31 it became the property of the Hunslet Engine Company together with the other assets of Kerr, Stuart. Rebuilt once again it was exported to Mauritius in 1934 for use on the sugar estate railways at Union Vale. Re-engined in 1945 the loco continued to be used until the late 1960s when it became spare loco to more modem Hunslet built locos. On closure of the rail system the loco was placed on a plinth at the sugar works as a reminder of the railways service. In 1997 the loco was jointly presented to the Greenwich and District Narrow Gauge Railway Society and the Festiniog Railway Company by its latter owners, Mon Trésor, Mon Desert Sugar Co and returned to the United Kingdom for preservation and eventual restoration to running order.

A total of 7 production locos were built. The Sudan Gezira Board had 4 built for their cotton field lines. These were builders Nos. 4418, 4432 - 4434. The alternative parts supplied with this kit enable one of these to be modelled. Builders Nos. 4431 - 4431 were built as a twin unit, with the cabs coupled back to back, for the 75cm. gauge Central Railway of Ecuador. Number 4419 was a 3' 6” gauge example for the Roan Antelope Copper Mine in Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia) The basic design was used for 30 and 90 Hp engined locos, the former having 2 axles.

Bibliography

Recommended sources of inspiration and information:-

• The British Internal Combustion Locomotive, Webb, B, David & Charles (OOP)
• The Welsh Highland Railway, Lee, C.E., Welsh Highland Railway (1964) Ltd
• The Welsh Highland Railway, Boyd, J.l.C., Oakwood Press
• Industrial Railway Record, December 1977, Industrial Railway Society
• Narrow Gauge and Industrial Railway Modelling Review, Nos. 32 -33, Roy C. Link

About the kit

This model is designed to use a Minitrix 0-6-0 mechanism as its power unit which requires certain modifications to fit properly.

Colour

After thoroughly cleaning the assembled body painting may be carried out with your own chosen scheme or livery. Information on actual prototype liveries are scarce, but can be stated with some certainty that when 4415 was constructed light grey was the standard colour in which the loco was painted. In addition, white lettering proclaiming the builder and the fact that this was a diesel locomotive - see recommended bibliography for further details.