NRT1, Ruston & Hornsby Diesel Locomotive, 1951

Historical information

NRT1 - Ruston & Hornsby Diesel Locomotive

Built in 1951 to a gauge of 3', this Ruston diesel locomotive or rail tractor operated on the State Electricity Commission of Victoria’s Kiewa scheme. Some years later, it was regauged to 2'6" and was operated by the Melbourne & Metropolitan Board of Works.

NRT1 is a Ruston & Hornsby diesel locomotive, built in England in 1951 to a gauge of 3 feet, and was initially employed by the State Electricity Commission of Victoria. It was later re-gauged to 2' 6" and ended it's working life in 1977 when it was transferred to Puffing Billy.
In 1977, it was taken to the P.B.P.S. Steam Museum and stored until 1978 when it was taken to the Emerald Carriage Workshops. Later in 1983 it was returned to service as NRT1 following the V.R. classification procedure as a narrow-gauge rail tractor, but it had number plates installed and was painted Hawthorn green. It will eventually be painted the red of V.R. rail tractors with the number & class painted on in black.

This type of locomotive was popular in many industrial locations, with their unique clutch-less 3 speed gearbox meaning the driver could control them whilst walking alongside, a bonus when shunting.
Adjustable tie rods meant that as the axles moved on the springs, they followed the radius of the drive chains, reducing the chances of chain snatch

LOCOMOTIVE DETAILS
NRT class
No. originally constructed :
No. in service : 1
No. stored:
Wheel arrangement : 0-4-0DM
Roadworthy weight : 9T 3cwt.
Maximum axle load : 4T 15cwt.
Tractive effort (85%) :
Length overall: 15' 6"
Height overall: 10'
Driving wheel diameter: 18"
Date of manufacture: 1950
Manufacturer : Ruston Hornsby
Place of manufacture: Lincoln, England
Locomotive type : Diesel Mechanical
Manufacturers classification : 48 DL

Significance

Historic - Industrial narrow Gauge Railway - Ruston & Hornsby diesel locomotive used by State Electricity Commission of Victoria - NRT1 - Ruston & Hornsby Diesel Locomotive

Physical description

NRT1 - Ruston & Hornsby Diesel Locomotive
made of steel

Inscriptions & markings

NRT1

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