Ruston & Hornsby, Build No. 327974

A successful design that dates back to the 1940’s; it is known that a prototype was loaned to the LNER for trails in 1946.

Owned by the British Sugar Corporation (BSC) and Northampton Ironstone Railway Trust, 327974 was built in 1954 and was delivered new to BSC at Bardney, Lincolnshire on 15th October 1954 and cost £8,213.

She remained at Bardney until August 1982 when she was transferred to BSC’s works at Kings Lynn, Norfolk. On 7th  February 1997, Great Eastern Traction took possession for use at Hardingham Station, Norfolk until 28th  June of that year when she was transported to the Northampton Ironstone Railway Trust at Hunsbury Hill, Northampton.

In 2007 she and 395305 were purchased by three members of the Helston Diesel Group and arrived at Trevarno in September. Started up on 27th December of that year, she finally moved under her own power on 18th May 2008. She is now owned by Helston Railway Preservation Co Ltd.

Although 327974 was painted in BR blue, and carrying the fake BR No 97649, when we obtained her, this shunter has never been owned by or operated on British Rail. Two shunters of this design were purchased by British Rail in 1956 (Nos 11507/11508 later renumbered to D2957 and D2958). Although one was photographed working at Immingham they spent most of their lives allocated to Stratford East London until sold in 1967/8.