Builder/Type: Muir Hill
Works number/year built: 110/1925
Previous bases: New to English China Clays Ltd, Meeth Clay Works, Devon; R.P. Morris, Dartford, Kent; Abbey Light Railway; Welsh Highland Heritage Railway; Silverleaf Poplar (private) railway, Lincolnshire.
Notes on the prototype:
Basically the same type of loco as the Go-go tractor, a standard Fordson tractor on a railway chassis. On the Gogo tractor the differential on the driving axle of the tractor was replaced with a plain spur gear, with a single roller chain to sprockets on the axles between the wheels. The Muir hill differed in that there was two sets of sprockets and roller chains in housings on the side of the loco and presumably the tractor unit retained it’s differential. The Muir hill chassis was stored in the compound for many years until the end was within sight of the restoration of the O&K, when it was moved onto one of the ex-RAF wagon chassis to enable it to be dismantled for work to begin. Sadly we only got as far as removing the wheels (new axles were required) and painting the chassis in red oxide before the railway closed. Happily the loco was bought and restored to working condition by it’s current owner at the Silverleaf Poplar railway.
Notes on the model: For many years the Muir Hill chassis sat in the compound awaiting restoration. Eventually it was moved onto one of the ammunition wagons and a start was made in cleaning and painting it before rebuilding could commence. The model is a Nonneminstre kit, which was bought specifically for the purpose of being a wagon load. When I added the compound to the layout I back-dated the model by removing it from the wagon, refitting the buffer castings and placing it in the compound with a pile of steel sheets on top of it, as the prototype sat for many years. One day I may build a model of it in ‘what if’ restored condition.
