Hunslet D6652 is a slightly older sister engine to our other diesel locomotive D6660 "Heddon Hall" both are 60hp diesel locos built in 1965 and operated at Dean Hill Royal Naval Armaments Depot (RNAD) - later known as Defence Munitions Dean Hill, West Dean, Wiltshire.
A munitions depot for the Royal Navy it was in use as a munitions storage facility since the 1940s and had facilities for the underground storage of an extraordinary amount of munitions, including a bunker to hold nuclear warheads. Surplus to Ministry of Defence requirements, the site was decommissioned in 2003 and put out to tender in November 2005.
After the facility closed, 6652 was briefly on display at the “Explosion” museum in Gosport, from where it was purchased by the L&B in August, 2007 along with a box van, flat wagon and wooden bodied brake van. Built to 2’ 6" gauge all needed regauging before being used on the railway.
Specification:
The locomotive is fitted with a 60 horse power, 4-cylinder Gardner 4LW diesel engine, connected to a torque convertor driving a single speed Hunslet gear-box, with hydraulic clutches for forward and reverse. The final drive is by sprocket and chain.
- Gardner 4LW engine
- Transmission Diesel Hydraulic
- Power and speed of engine 60 H.P.@ 1700 r.p.m
- Maximum tractive effort 4750 lbs (2155 kg)
- Speed 8 m.p.h
- Fuel capacity 14 gallons
- Weight in working order 8 ½ tons
- Diameter of coupled wheels 2' 0"
- Wheelbase 4' 6"
- Height Overall 7’ 4”
- Width Overall 4' 3”
- Length over buffer beams 12' 0"