When Britain had industries, many factories had private railway networks, or at least private sidings. Steam locomotives were never economical for use on small industrial systems, and so once diesel shunting locomotives became available in the 1930s, a thriving market developed.
Ruston & Hornsby built diesel locomotives from 1931 to 1967. This 88BHP type was in production from 1938 to 1967, 271 being built for industrial use, mostly for the home market.
This locomotive was supplied new to the Distillers Company at Cameron Bridge in July 1952. It worked there until donated to SRPS in 1992.The engine drive is taken through a mechanical gearbox operated hydraulically and then by chains to both axles. The limit to the haulage power of small diesels like this can be the traction force at the rails, and in the case of this locomotive the available force is increased by fitting cast iron weights on both sides under the footplate. Buffers are unsprung and their large area avoids buffer lock on curved or uneven track. The "cow catcher" bars, fitted below both bufferbeams, serve the dual purpose of removing railhead obstructions and also of supporting the locomotive in the event of a derailment.
