Press to enlarge imageDorman Simplex 7471
Technical Details
| Builder | Motor Rail
Ltd., Bedford |
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| No. | 7471 | Weight | 3 1/2 tons |
| Year | 1940 | Livery | Green |
| Tractive effort | 20/28 hp | ||
This older Simplex was delivered new to Hussey, Egan & Pickmere Ltd, Birmingham in 1940 at a cost of £286 19s 5d. It is one of the makers standard 20/28 hp designs, incorporating a Dorman 2DWD engine, weighted to 3 1/2 tons.
The locomotive eventually passed to the Droitwich Canals Trust, set up to restore two canals that met in Droitwich. The locomotive was delivered to Ladywood in 1976, where the Trust had the lock cottage at the top of the lock flight half way along the canal. This was the main operational base and plant maintenance facility from the early 1970s until the Trust moved to Vines Park, Droitwich in 1980. The locomotive subsequently worked mainly on the Ladywood/Salwarpe section.
One of our SNGRS members was fortunate to purchase the derelict machine and sold it on to Messrs Dorman Diesels in 1991 as they were looking for a Training Project for a number of their apprentices in Stafford. Under the leadership of Paul James full restoration was carried out, with several departments of Dormans getting involved, including the spares depot at Lincoln where parts for the 50-year-old engine were still available ....!
After the work was completed 7471 arrived at Amerton on 27th June 1991 and a full hand-over ceremony took place on 27th March 1992.