These locomotives are ex-tunnelling locos manufactured by Hunslet Barclay, Leeds. They have four wheels, are five metres (just over 16 feet) long and weigh in at twelve tons. Built for the mining industry, the locomotives are typical of compact low-speed high tractive effort narrow gauge diesels.
The Deutz air cooled engine is of the 912W type widely used underground, and throughout the construction and marine industries. It is a six cylinder in-line engine designed for high torque at low speed, rated at 63kW (84 hp), maximum revolutions about 2500 rpm.
The two locomotives were named Kathy and Emma by their previous owners. Kathy was the penultimate locomotive built at Jack Lane, Hunslet, Leeds. They last worked on the Jubilee Line Extension project, London, operated by a consortium of Balfour Beatty and Amec, although owned by Hunslet Barclay. When the extension project finished, they were sold along with several other similar locos.
One of these locomotives, Kathy, is to be commissioned soon with air brakes, couplings, and a temporary cab, to act as a reserve passenger locomotive and for crew training. It will to complement or replace Glaslyn on passenger duties. Once Russell is rebuilt, the intention is to to overhaul Kathy again and rebuild her with a WHR heritage image cab that fits the Railway's policy.
Kathy is already basically operational. The air system has been fixed and it has been run in various tests on the line. New couplings are being fabricated, compatible with our other rolling stock. Work is progressing on getting the air brakes working once more.
The other locomotive, Emma, is missing a wheelset and some final drive components. It has recently left the Railway temporarily on loan, returning later in working order.
