A 48DS-type 4wDM not recorded as existing in any of the usual lists of surviving locos, has been rescued from Redden’s scrapyard, Wellingborough, by Lawrie Rose.
This is Ruston & Hornsby 393303 delivered to Wagon Repairs Ltd, Branston Works, Burton-on-Trent on January 20, 1956. It has lingered in the scrapyard for many years and generally believed to have been scrapped in fairly recent times.
It was initially purchased by Lawrie to recover its wheel sets for his other similar loco, the fully restored 294266, the former Bill McAlpine loco now based on the Mid-Suffolk Railway. This needs replacement tyres fitted and this was believed to be the most cost-effective way.
However, on inspection, 393303 was found to be substantially complete, so the plan is for it to be restored. Work started immediately, but with the wheels transferred to the other loco.