D2999

Built in 1958 by Brush and Beyer Peacock, five prototype 0-4-0 diesel-electric shunters were built as demonstrators. Although two were loaned to British Railways for trails, only one was bought and there were no further orders. Similar shunters were built for industrial use at steelworks in South Wales and Yorkshire.

D2999 was on loan from 1960 and was subsequently bought by BR. It differed from the other Brush/Beyer Peacock shunters as it had a cut down cab for working in a quarry at Gravesend. It was withdrawn in 1967. The preserved D2999 at the Middleton Railway is an ex-industrial shunter masquerading as D2999 and has larger side windows and does not have the cut down cab.

The other loan shunter was allocated the number D9998.

This is a Judith Edge Kit and is produced in the usual etched brass. Everything is included except motor, gearbox and wheels. What is included are two extra long shouldered 2mm axles for the fly cranks and con rods as the wheels are inside the frame whereas the cranks are outside. This presents a problem that Michael has neatly got around. A non-prototypical chassis is included to allow the motor/gearbox/wheel assembly to be constructed. This then sits inside the 'proper' outside frames, with the axles protruding through the hornblocks.

Construction is fairly straightforward and follow Michaels usual method. The suggested motorising option is to use a High Level Kits Roadrunner+ gearbox and a Mashima 1024 motor. I duly purchased these to find that they are an extremely tight fit and only just go in! It might be an idea to look at a Mashima 1020. Although Gibson 14mm solid disc wheels are recommended, I used some Bachmann 14mm Solid disc wheels (36-033) that I had to hand. An advantage with these wheels is that they are insulated on both sides. Although this means two sets of pick ups are used, it keeps the chassis electrically isolated.

The livery is BR Green with black/yellow wasp stripes. The ends were painted yellow and Fox Transfers wasp stripes used. All the other transfers are also Fox.

Adding extra weight is a little tricky as there is little room. However, I did manage to ad some lead sheet between the frames. Not much, but it helps. A cab light was fitted in addition to a driver. I also fitted a DCC Concepts Zen ZN8H with stay alive. The capacitor slid between the frames under the motor and the decoder between the frames just behind the capacitor. Again, the usual problem of surging was encountered, but turning off the dc running seemed to cure it.