LOCOMOTIVES

'112' This unnamed diesel was the only operating locomotive on the railway. Supplied by Mardyke Miniature Railways of Rainham, Essex in 1987 as a 6w-6w loco it has now been rebuilt to a 4w-4w diesel hydraulic built around a Kubota 2 cylinder 10hp Z482 diesel. The body is based on the American F40 which were once the mainstay of the Sante Fe Railroad. Until recently our miniature replica sported the red and silver 'war bonnet' type livery but it is now painted in a blue and yellow livery.

This picture shows the loco as it appears in February 2005. The paintwork was beyond saving, the body had received crash damage, the hydraulics leaked and the motors and pump were beyond economic repair.

FOR DETAILS OF THE RESTORATION CLICK HERE

112 as at Bredgar Works waiting to return to the Strand. See the restoration diary below for details of all of the work carried out, and check out the Gallery pages for pictures of the work being undertaken.

253003 'HMS Pembroke' Built by Mardyke Miniature Railways c1980 this is a 4w-4w petrol hydraulic modelled on a High Speed Train power car. It is powered by a Briggs and Stratton 5hp petrol engine driving an Eaton hydraulic pump / motor via a belt drive from the engine. Unfortunately, towards the end of the 1990s the engine and the rest of its train were badly damaged in a mindless attack of vandalism. Since then the loco and two coaches have been stored in the running shed, and the other coaches in another store at the Strand. Although the loco looks as if it has been in the wars there seems to be no damage to the structure other than dents, scratches and broken front screen. Although time-consuming these defects are easily dealt with but it is the drive unit and control column that will need serious attention. The top picture below shows 'HMS Pembroke' partially dismantled outside the shed prior to her departure for Bredgar Works The lower picture shows the HST ready to return to the Strand in April 2005 following a complete facelift and repaint. The motor and petrol engine have performed well in bench testing but a final decision as to its suitability as reserve engine will be taken after running in trials. Although not as powerful as USA 112 the power bogie on HMS Pembroke should deliver enough power for a three or four coach train - even with the ballasted USA coaches. The only problem is going to be that it is a little light on its feet and may slip a bit. On its return to the Strand in April the loco was again the subject of a mindless attack of vandalism so has been returned to Bredgar for repair and storage until secure accommodation becomes available at the Strand. FOR DETAILS OF THE RESTORATION CLICK HERE

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