Built
1949, Ruston & Hornsby, Lincoln
Model / Class
Ruston 88DS
Original operator
Balfour Beatty / Staythorpe Power Station
Built in 1949 by the Ruston & Hornsby company in Lincoln, 263001 was built for Balfour Beatty for their contract to build Staythorpe Power Station.
Once the construction contract was completed, it remained at Staythorpe for the rest of its working life and was given the number 2A. It was then sold directly into preservation and went to the Battlefield Line, where it was remained until 2023 when it was sold to the 38F Industrial Locomotive Group and moved to the GCR(N) where restoration was undertaken with minor engine and gearbox work completed. It has been repainted into the livery of the two 88DS shunters that were used at the Gypsum Works at Hotchley Hill, East Leake.
Whilst not for use on passenger trains, it is intended for the locomotive to be used to interpret the local industrial railway history, a feature of the GCR in South Nottinghamshire.