Hudson-Hunslet No. 1944

Hudson-Hunslet was a joint venture between Hunslet and Robert Hudson Ltd. Robert Hudson mainly produced narrow gauge track and wagons. For motive power Robert Hudson would often partner with other manufacturers, who would design and build the locomotives and then market them through the Robert Hudson Catalogue, offering a complete train set from one supplier.

The 20hp Hudson-Hunslet was first introduced in 1937. These locomotives were built by Hunslet but were marketed through Robert Hudson. This arrangement was very successful, and many of the smaller locomotives Hunslet offered were supplied by Robert Hudson.

Built in 1939, HE1944 spent most of its working life at Enfield Rolling Mills in North London. Enfield Rolling Mills produced non-ferrous metal products, mainly focusing on production of copper, zinc and aluminium. HE1944 was fitted with a radiator guard, offset hand-starting and alliance automatic couplings for its work at Enfield.

In 1975 the railway system and locomotives at Enfield were sold to M.E Engineering in Cricklewood, London. Whilst at M.E Engineering HE1944 was dropped from a mobile crane, causing substantial damage to the front end of the locomotive.

Between 1976-1982 the HE1944 was used on the various railways in connection with the restoration of the Basingstoke Canal. Initially HE1944 saw use at North Warnborough working alongside steam dredger ‘Perseverance’ to remove unwanted material from the canal. HE1944 was then moved to Pirbright for rebuilding the Deepcut Flight set of locks. Finally, HE1944 was used at the Ash Embankment, transporting clay to reline the canal bed. By the early 1980s the canal had been successfully restored and HE1944 was put into storage.

(Image courtesy of Brian Clarke)

In 1995 HE1944 was sold to a member of the OKLR, who moved it to his front garden for restoration. It was found to need much less work than initially expected and shortly after moved to Tilford where it has remained ever since, having various spells in passenger service over the years.

HE1944 is now the oldest surviving example of its type, and is still fitted with its original Ailsa Craig engine.