What's this?

Can anyone identify this unusual vehicle at Shackerstone, in 1991? Thanks ...

 

And does it still exist?

 

It looks like some sort of tram engine but I've not been able to find anything that looks quite like that one.

 

Looks like a steam tram, but not of the Cockerill type which were imported in the 90's.


Keith

 

Rather a tantalising photograph. My best guess is a vertical boiler 0-4-o with quite conventional outside cylinders probably
from Belguim. There have been a few on preserved lines but which one it might probably have been in 1991...............

Not sure of what shows as on the roof - it, or some of it, could just be actually behind it but seem as though it is on it - but right to left
it looks as if there is something brass, a funnel with a very distinctive conical cap on it to keep the weather off the top tube plate etc
and a pipe which comes through the canopy and disappears into the side of the chimney - also distinctively?
No indication of any brake hose and a plain three link coupling, so presumably an industrial.

 

RH 235513 whose engine failed in 1980 and, a vertical boiler most likely form a steam crane made by Thos. Smith of Rodley of Leeds in 1952 WN 21058 put in it, so would have been un powered and most likely used for steam heating etc.

It has had a replacement engine in 2000 and converted to look something like a Y6 tram engine http://www.ukprsl.uk/final-results.asp?action=display&Id=1258

 

I vaguely recall it was a butchered Ruston 48ds shunter, which im fairly sure had lost its engine and controls and instead supported a stationary boiler. At the time there was a complete (but I think inactive) Ruston 48DS at the line and also that altered one.

 

Great ... thanks for all you replies. So, a mobile steam generator converted from an old Ruston. And now re-engined and converted to look like Toby!

 

Engage improbability drive......
Most unlikely or most misleading photograph I've ever grappled with.
.
Especially on the line where it stood: given the time it takes for steam heat to strike though a rake of chilly, freezing coaches it might have
been quite useful to have the boiler with a steam heat connection. Could that have been the idea?
But I cannot see there having been more than a handful of carriages out in use where it was.