Rustons Ride The Rails

Rustons Ride The Rails

- Mark Tewkesbury

Back in 2013, to celebrate the 70th Anniversary and re-commissioning of Twyford Waterworks Ruston & Hornsby 2PS compressor engine, a display of some surviving engines was organised. Part of this involved collecting several engines that had been sleepers in collections and museums around the South.

One such engine was s/n 173615, its owner was experiencing health issues and after an initial enquiry, it was offered for the display, but on collection was in fact offered for sale.

Having already restored an engine for the Twyford Waterworks, I had gained a liking for this ‘Cinderella’ of stationary engines, so a deal was agreed and the engine shown under the previous owner’s name before transfer. Another engine loaned for the display was then also offered. This engine, s/n 191449 was in slightly better condition and had a better provenance, the working history of the other being unknown; so in the shed were now two 2PS engines! At this point I was not really sure what to do with this situation but it was not long before a solution arose.