2. The trials at Dinas, 15th November 1928Kerr Stuart's unique selling point was that the diesel loco was far cheaper to run than either steam or petrol locomotives. To emphasise this they coined the phrase “Fifteen Shillings Change” which highlighted the fact that out of every pound currently spent on loco fuel (coal) with a Kerr Stuart diesel you would get fifteen shillings change. This became their marketing slogan and indeed became the title of the booklet published to help with the promotion
of the machine.
The Welsh Highland was chosen by Kerr Stuart for proving trials because the curves and gradients would prove to be a severe test for this new locomotive It arrived at Dinas in July 1928 accompanied by a young engineer by the name of Tom Rolt.
On 15th November 1928 it was demonstrated to the press at a carefully choreographed press day. The engine performed faultlessly and as a result received rave reviews both in the specialist magazines and the national press.
|KS4415 at Dinas|
Contemporary press reports:
startling features obtruded, which suggested that today’s
demonstration, in the mist enveloped highlands of
Caernarvonshire, might easily become historic and result in
something revolutionary and far-reaching in the industrial
Liverpool Post and Echo Nov 16th 1928
arrival of the party at
the Station the Locomotive was
found in its shed, quite cold. For the purpose of the
test a fuel gauge had been fitted to the main fuel
tank. After a preliminary look round the
Locomotive - and an explanation of its salient points, a
reading of the fuel gauge was taken, and starting up
was then demonstrated.”
Quarry Manager’s Journal
locomotive demonstrated is
for 2ft gauge. It was run out and attached
to a train consisting of a buffet, saloon coach and brake
van. The ease of shunting and reversing was obvious; and
another uncanny effect was the silence which perhaps does
not matter much at Dinas, but would be an important
feature in city working"
Oil News 16th Nov 1928
train, engine, saloon,
buffet and brake van stands in South Snowdon
station, beneath the admiring gaze of us its
passengers, and of the station staff and the natives. One feels that
engine, on such an occasion, to be puffing
softly with a sense of its own importance – but it is not.
It is silent. It cannot puff or make any other fuss
appropriate to the scene. It has no steam to puff with.. It is
the first Kerr-Stuart Crude Oil Engine Locomotive……".
Industrial Daily News Nov 16th 1928
extremely satisfactory way
which the Locomotive behaved greatly
impressed all those who saw the test carried
out, and it was generally felt that the new Kerr Stuart
Diesel Locomotive marks a distinct step forward in
the triumphal onward march of the Internal
Combustion Engine operating on the Diesel principle
After starting away with the train the Locomotive was operated on its top gear and kept up a good speed despite the heavy gradients which were encountered. Some of the party rode on the footplate, and were extremely impressed with the splendid way which the Locomotive negotiated the track, and the smooth riding.
When we came to rest at Dinas Junction the engine was closely inspected by a driver and fire man from one of the steam engines destined to be superseded. The engine driver's only comment was “The thing smells a lot” The young fireman said, “It< looks too simple to be true. Personally I like to feel that I have something to do when I’m on the footplate”
Liverpool Post & Echo
| A feature of this design is that
may be driven by steam of by Diesel
engines, without any substantial change in the
frame, wheels or brake gear. Thus an important
advantage is gained whereby users who
have in service locomotives of each type are
saved the necessity of carrying a large
number of duplicate spare parts
A further desirable feature rests in the fact
that a large number of different gauges can
be accommodated by one size of locomotive
frame. It is thus possible, simply by having
an extra set of wheels and axles, to adopt
the same locomotive to all gauges between
60cm and 3ft 6 inches.
The Machinery Market 23rd November 1928
of which the example shewn was for 2ft.
gauge, was then run out and attached
to a train consisting of a Buffet and Saloon
Coach belonging to the Welsh Highland
Railway, and a Brake Van. The ease with
which it was shunted and reversed was
very noticeable, and the silence was
remarkable, in fact, the machine made very little
more noise than an ordinary Steam
Quarry Manager’s Journal