KS 4415 - Early History

4415 is the oldest purpose-built diesel locomotive in this country.  It was conceived by Kerr Stuart’s talented development engineer Kyrle Willans and was the company’s attempt to get into the infant diesel market. It was built by Kerr Stuart & Co.Ltd. of Stoke-on-Trent and was the prototype of a range of diesel locomotives produced by the firm before its financial collapse in 1930.   The engine itself was specially developed by McClaren of Leeds, and although far too heavy for a motor vehicle, it nevertheless was attracting attention from the commercial road vehicle sector.

After several unsatisfactory trials of petrol engined traction on the Welsh Highland, a idea of a trial of a diesel locomotive  was attractive, and at the suggestion of Lt.Col.Stephens, Kerr Stuart offered the locomotive for for trials on the Welsh Highland Railway .  4415 was ordered in May 1928 and arrived at Dinas just three months later   in July 1928.

KS 4415 on trial at Dinas

It was tested on the WHR's Bryngwyn branch, taking the morning train of empty slate wagons to Bryngwyn and returning with loaded wagons.  Top speeds were 8 mph in high gear and 4 mph in low gear, later altered to 12 mph and 6 mph respectively.  In the words of J.W.Willans (son of the designer) who accompanied the locomotive, “In general she did very well; if anything she was not quite fast enough, but she gave no mechanical trouble.”

On 15 November 1928 a Press & Publicity day was held at Dinas, attracting widespread coverage (see separate article).  Drawgear was borrowed from single Fairlie 'Moel Tryfan' and the lack of vacuum brake equipment on the locomotive was quietly ignored.  

Early in 1929 suitable drawgear and vacuum brakes were fitted to enable working of the thrice-weekly winter service between Dinas and Beddgelert. 

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In March 1929 it was transferred to more lucrative work on the Ffestiniog Railway shunting slate trains,  and in the process had its roof lowered.

Despite its satisfactory performance, the Ffestiniog Railway Company had to return the locomotive to Kerr Stuart in August 1929 as they were unable to afford to purchase it.  

It went on a further  trial to Sir Lindsay Parkinson & Sons who were constructing the East Lancs Road between Liverpool and Manchester.  (The late Tom Rolt, who accompanied the loco, said that it was never used here as it was too heavy for the track.) 

In December 1929 it was regauged to 3'0” and sent to the Castlederg & Victoria Bridge Tramway in Co.Tyrone, Northern Ireland, where it stayed for about six months although seeing little use as it was not powerful enough for duties on the tramway. 

Kerr Stuart went into liquidation in 1930 on account of misappropriation of funds by the Company chairman, and  the loco was acquired by Hunslets.  In March 1934 it was re-gauged back to 2ft and sold by their agents Robert Hudson for use on a sugar plantation railway in Mauritius.