Ruston
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Ruston
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Ruston & Hornsby model LBT 3 Cylinder 29 hp Diesel Mechanical Locomotive #3 Builders number 404981, left the Ruston & Horsnby works in June 1957 having been sold to Christiani & Neilsen and then later to Bunnings Bros in 1961. With assistance from Mr D Craigie of Bunnings, this unit was kindly donated to W.A.L.R.P.A by Bunnings Bros from their Manjimup Mill in 1984. It was delivered to Whiteman Park on the 21st of August 1984
"Ruston" commenced traffic duties for the BBR on the 27th of April 1986 after regauging from 3ft 6 inches to 2ft.
During the late 80's, it was used on passenger services using the small coach (ALV) set, but more often than not was very useful on maintenance and works trains and shunting duties in the Mussel Pool yard. The Ruston is hand cranked to start, with basic controls in the cab for driving. It has the ability to have variable coupler height, as well as variable couplers - either "Link and Pin" or "Jones Chopper" which means it can be used to shunt all rollingstock on the railway - large or small - it even has the grunt to haul an NG from the shed. It is also fitted with vacuum brake equipment. Although it can be difficult to start (for those who don't have the knack), its simple forward and reverse, easy handbrake and throttle controls make it a simple locomotive to drive. Nowadays it still sees frequent use by Midweek crews for track maintenance trains and as a back up for the small train on Fotte days.
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Bennett Brook Railway Webmaster N. Blinco
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