John Alcock – a thoroughbred diesel ‘ first’
WHILEsteamwillforeverremainthe definingimageoftherailwayheritage sector, itisoftenoverlookedbythepublic atlargethatinitsearlyyears, modern tractionhauledtwolandmarkfirsttrains.
On July 23, 1955, FirstWorldWar Simplexpetrol tractor MaryAnn hauled the first heritage- era public train on the Ffestiniog Railway, the second line to be reopened by volunteers.
On June 20, 1955, Hunslet 0- 6- 0DM No. 1697made history by heading the first standard- gauge train run by volunteers. However, that locomotive had already claimed a big ‘ first’ in railway history.
In 1930, the Hunslet Engine Company of Leeds bought the goodwill of the recently- liquidatedKerr, Stuart& Companyof Stoke- on- Trent.
Minutedetail
That December, Hunslet took delivery of 2ft- gauge Kerr, StuartNo. 4415 of 1928, whichhad undergonetrials on theWelshHighland Railway ( and which is nowundergoingrestorationby the Ffestiniog& Welsh HighlandRailways Heritage Company) and Kerr, Stuart 90hpNo. 4428of 1929.
Both locomotiveswere examined in minutedetail at the Jack Laneworks and fromthe knowledge gainedcamethe first Hunslet- built standard- gauge diesel inNo. 169.
The locomotivewas built to the instructions of John Alcock, son of managing director Edgar Alcock, who told his son:“Get it right and we’ll build more – get it wrong and we’ll stick with steam!”
In February, 1932, No. 1697attended the British Industries Fair at Castle Bromwich, where its performance impressed all who sawit inaction.
One companywhich liked what it saw was the LMS, which agreed to trials on its railway. They were so successful that a further 10 weeks of operation began at Hunslet Lane goods yard.
No. 1697worked continuously between 5am on theMondayand 6am the following Sunday, the cost of which came to £ 4.41p per week for fuel, lubricating oil, petrol for the starting engine, and sand.
Excellent condition
Thisamountwas considerablycheaper than the costsof a steamlocomotive, and it couldtackle anyand allwork offered to it.
After the trials, No. 1697 was stripped down for examination and found to be in excellent condition, with little wear evident.
Following moredemonstrations in 1933, the locomotivewas sold to the LMS, becoming its No. 7401, before being renumbered to 7051. ItdidmuchworkfortheLMS, although thatcompanysettledonthe350hp diesel- electricsthateventuallydeveloped intotheBRClass08.
Nonetheless, No. 7051formedthebasis ofmanyadiesel- mechanicallocomotive design, includingBR’sClass03/ 04s.
In 1949, the locomotivewas rebuilt with the originalMAN150hp engine being replaced byaMcLaren- Ricardo MR6 delivering 132hp, and it became a hire locomotive.
In 1960, it was first loaned to the
Middleton Railway Preservation Societyand then later sold to it on hirepurchase.
On January27, 1961, it wasnamed JohnAlcock after its designer.
It spent 10 years at the National RailwayMuseum inYork between 1979- 89, before returning to Middleton and taking part in the line’s 30th anniversarycelebrations, having then been restored as LMS No. 7401, without nameplates.
Since2006, it has been displayed in the Engine House at the line’s Moor Road headquarters in between passengerworkings. It isnowon course for its 90th birthday in2022and its centenary in2032.