This loco is the only survivor of Ruston’s 10/13HP type. These were unusual (compared with other Ruston products) in that they had single cylinder engines and 2 speed gearboxes – most Ruston’s have 3 speed gearboxes. This loco was delivered new to George Bald, Goat Quarry, Aberdour, Fife. It later worked at the Honister Pass slate quarries in Cumberland, and then, via a plant hire company, back to Scotland at the Caledonian Peat Products at their Moss Morran works in Fife. In 1986, the loco moved on again to Lancashire at Darwen Peat Products in the moors above Darwen. After this operation closed, the loco moved to the MRT collection in April 1987. The loco had suffered more than most in industry, including the replacement of all of its bodywork with something best described as aesthetically challenged. Since then, a long restoration process has started to return the loco to close to ex-works appearance.
