0-6-0DE Ruston 165 'PWM' Profile and Models

0-6-0DE Ruston 165 'PWM'

97651 at Radyr Depot in July 1982. ©Phil Richards

The Ruston & Hornsby 165 locomotive, also known as the "PWM (Permanent Way Machine)" or BR Class 97/6, was a class of purpose-built shunters designed for use on departmental duties. They were outwardly similar to their Class 04 contemporaries but were mechanically very different. The class were originally outshopped in BR green, which was superseded by BR blue and then by Civil Engineers' yellow. They were employed at various locations including Reading West, Gloucester, Cardiff Canton, Radyr and Plymouth Laira. A special feature of this class is that the electric traction motor can be disengaged from the wheels. This allows the locomotive to be hauled by another locomotive at speeds above 20 mph. The class were largely made redundant upon the privatisation of British Rail, however some soldiered on into EWS ownership and one example worked with an Edinburgh based infrastructure company until 2005. Ruston did produce similar 165 locomotives for industrial purposes, of a slightly different design to the data listed below.

(Information provided via Wikipedia)

Type of Locomotive

Diesel-Electric

Builder

Ruston & Hornsby

Build Dates

1953 & 1959

Total Built

5

Tractive Effort

17,000 lbf

Power Output

165 hp

Top Speed

20 mph

Wheel Configuration

0-6-0DE

Operated By

British Railways
EWS
Industrial Operators

Main Duties

Shunting

In Service Until

2005

Surviving Examples

3