KERR, STUART 4421, a six-wheel diesel built in 1929 at Stoke-on-Trent, is believed to be the oldest standard gauge diesel in Britain.
It has been on static display in the Foxfield Railway’s museum, but was pulled out by volunteers Phil Civil and Jack Dibnah for restoration. It is now in full working order with mechanical parts attended to and vacuum brake equipment fitted to work passenger trains. Rom River, as it is referred to, made its public debut at the September 3/4 Staffordshire Steam and Victorian Weekend hauling a passenger train for the first time in its life. It hauled the 09.30 from Caverswall Road on both days – the first time it had run the full length of the line.