Sent to a scrapyard in preservation - Motor Rail Simplex 'Drusilla' - Lawrie Goes Loco Episode 17

[@bentullett6068]

I think I have a idea why this little loco worked at minworth sewage works. Its job would have probably been taking the treated sludge to be disposed on the land near the sewage works.

[@lmm]

That would make sense.

[@bulletz9280]

When we had to drive these at the quarry we found it was best to slide in backwards. There was a bit of an art to going in at a slight angle so as to avoid jabbing yourself in the kidney with the handbrake lever. But best way to describe it was you put your left foot in first, and have the front window open a crack so you can use the window frame as a hand hold for your left hand, then pivot around on your left foot so your back is to the cab. Now you kind of squat as you bring your right foot up into the cab, and do your best to aim your bum at the seat. Also helps to be young, slim and flexible! I'm not so sure I'd be able to get in one of these anymore.

[@johnedwards4274]

Long story short when the minworth railway was due to close a colleague based in Lichfield wanted to buy all the equipment and make a transport system around and through Lichfield He was very serious and submitted a plan to the city council ( several times with changes) You can guess the rest

[@lmm]

I imagine they loved the idea 😂

[@DKW1975]

That is a cool and weird little loco. It is reminiscent of some of the little home made industrial locomotives from back in the day.

[@FM60260]

I reckon it would be fun taking one of these up a longer line like the Ffestiniog

[@lmm]

Yes I bet it would!

[@adamcrane3571]

Hello @@lmm

[@FullMetalFab]

Love the sound of those old diesels !!!! My dad's old 135 Massey started the same way.dead slow then it just starts up.

[@lmm]

It's the noise of, damn it won't go... Oh there it is

[@awizardalso]

I love to see little locos in operation. Here in the US we have small powered carts called 'Speeders" that are partly used for tourists to go for a ride on the rails. Most railroads have equipped small and large road trucks with wheels that can be lowered to the rails and use the tires to move them on the tracks for track maintenance.

[@jamesoliver2901]

Great vid . I remember starting the loco up at Drusilla s zoo she was then called Layla ( due to the exhaust note ???) some water had entered the exhaust and this covered me with oil smuts. A chap called Colin Huggart wrote a small book on the locos used at the zoo . Had feeling the other locos were rushtons and had air brakes fitted . There was also a e27n fordso n tractor, a three wheeled milk float and a Bradford and Perkins petrol roller at the zoo. I think Colin had collected all these over years when he had worked there !!

[@joeyvampirowellsteed]

Another nice review. That miniature tram car in the background looks nice. Looks like an old 15inch tram car built by Claude Lane from Seaton Tramway frame.

[@lmm]

Thank you very much! Yes it's a strange thing 😂

[@Meengineer100]

Simplexes are brilliant locos, once again you've found another lovely example of an industrial loco. Looks like an interesting collection in the shed and around the grounds, I noticed a small tram behind you in the shed, looks quite like the ones at Seaton. On the FR there's a small diesel built by Hunslet named Harold which was aquired from a sewage works, it's quite interesting to know where all these small industrials worked in the past. Enjoyed watching and I look forward to the next video. :)

[@lmm]

Glad to hear you enjoyed it! There is a very good collection of stuff at Tinkers, I do enjoy my visits there!

[@OddSpanner]

Awesome little loco's and a perfect little rake behind it!

[@lmm]

So nice having a little freight train 😂

[@PlainlyDifficult]

Great video as always!

[@lmm]

Thank you very much!

[@williamtheNWRS3class]

odd yet good to see you here mr john

[@charliestrains9826]

Cracking video as alway Laurie! Love the diesel and the exhaust sounds just great!

[@lmm]

Thank you very much - sounds great doesn't it

[@Danis8Pastry]

"The battery - which is very firmly secured in place by gravity alone". What a great line XD

[@jappedut9009]

😂😂😂

[@DJ_K666]

We had loads of these at Amberley Chalk Pits museum when I was a volunteer there. That as well as loads of Rustons and loads of Hudson Hunslets. Great stuff!

[@lmm]

There is still quite the collection there!

[@DJ_K666]

Yep. They've gained a few more too. Plus they've got that standard gauge Simplex going. The Lister Railtrucks are tremendous fun too.

[@jimdieseldawg3435]

Another great vid, Laurie :-) There's a history of waterworks railways. I found that the closest any railhead came to my childhood home in Bartley Green, Birmingham was the Rubery Water Treatment Works narrow-gauge line, which met the Longbridge-Halesowen standard-gauge line at Rubery station (now a row of shops, but dig in the undergrowth across the road and the remains of a platform are still visible). The narrow-gauge line was used to transport materials for construction of the WTW, and I believe that it was used for a short while to move bulk chemicals onsite until such things inevitably transferred to road transport. I've not managed to trace any remnants of the line because its alignment runs across now-privately-owned farmland. Another item for my "research further, one day" list!

[@lmm]

Oh thanks for sharing that!

[@vonyinzer]

Love this little critter...

[@lmm]

It's super isn't it!

[@gflo2781]

What a great wee loco! Also nice having a brief reminder of the LMM normality before COVID!

[@lmm]

Hopefully we'll continue to get back to normal

[@railer5516]

Great to see another LGL! Glad things are starting to return to normal cant wait for the next one!

[@lmm]

We should be back on schedule now!

[@teddill4893]

You have the prefect cars for this engine! It fits you well, like a good suit. :o)

[@lmm]

It looks good doesn't it 😂

[@leverettrailfan5414]

I note that I am not the only one curious about the story of the smaller-than-usual tram in the shed! I'm also fascinated by the large grey vehicle beside it, which looks to be some type of trackless trolley, but clearly not for transporting passengers.

[@ThatVoxelBlock]

Looks like It will be a good little loco for shunting or a joy ride around a railway

[@lmm]

It's a super little thing

[@yelfsteam]

There was also a 2ft gauge system at Beesdon sewage works, where a 3 clynder Lister worked. That locomotive is currently in the workshop at the London museum of water and steam. I have done a bit of digging into the history of this locomotive if you are interested.

[@lmm]

Oh really?

[@williamwoodgate]

Great video! Its potential uses in the water treatment works might have including moving large quantities of filtration material around (like sand) and possibly also pumps, machinery or chemical tanks. I certainly would not have haggled on £500 if I had seen it for sale in a scrap yard!

[@lmm]

I suppose that would make sense, I'd have got it too!

[@theautolad9507]

“Sliding windows” wow oh my god 😮😱😯. + bonus meme: you want to sell some thing PAINT IT YELLOW !!! 🤬🤬🤬. 🤣🤣🤣

[@lmm]

Sliding windows are great. Be horrible without them!

[@theautolad9507]

Lawrie's Mechanical Marvels ah ha but what if you put automatic rain thing and wipers

[@bryjan51]

The sound reminds me of your Lister engine in your dumper, is awesome! 😊

[@lmm]

It's a great noise isn't it!

[@888johnmac]

Drusilla , Queen of the ............. nice little loco

[@lmm]

Well yes 😂

[@williamsantangelo]

Lawrie good to see you again Love your programs ever so much mate!! God Bless You Portjeff LI N.Y. USA I Say!!! Stay Safe Be Well!

[@lmm]

Glad to hear you're enjoying what we do!

[@jbhtrams]

I love Simplexes too!!!😂

[@Thoroughly_Wet]

Kinda wanted to see that sock. I've been missing one for decades and i wanted to see if it matched. Reason for it sounding agricultural has something to do with it being what sounds like a flat plane 2 cylinder. Engines as such were used in early tractors such as Hart-Parr's, Rumley's, or john deere's up into the 60s. Has that putt-putt-miss-miss sound and that's what I'm basing the engine config off of so I could be wrong.

[@CampervanJon]

Loved this, thanks Lawrie

[@lmm]

Pleased to hear it!

[@jontaylor6094]

When I went to look at this in the scrapman’s yard, as the clutch and gear levers worked correctly and the engine could be pushed over by the flywheel it seemed worth a punt. It should have two sandboxes each end which are missing- had those tippers been loaded, you would have missed the sanding facility in the wet!

[@lmm]

That's pretty good for a scrap yard find!

[@RockyRailroadProductions_B0SS]

Love the livery on this little Simplex, I find it really amazing how much of this design is the same as it was back when the first ones came out, what a fun little machine! Great episode as always! With there being a door on the other side, I wonder if it would be nicer to get into if the back of the seat could hinge back, so you could stick your legs through that way(?), though it makes me question whether or not Simplex's cab design people have actually seen what a human being looks like. Also, that tram in the background-

[@lmm]

It's great isn't it - swinging in that way sounds a little adventurous for many of the people at the railway 😂

[@graffb.5531]

Another great and informative video Lawrie. Brightened my day up. Keep em coming! 👍 😄

[@lmm]

Thank you very much - glad you enjoyed it!

[@alanmuddypaws3865]

That loco is lovely! Brought a smile to my face just watching, heaven knows how much I would be smiling if I were behind the controls. Great video, keep up the good work!

[@lmm]

Thank you very much - it is super fun!

[@neilthomas4407]

Great vid as per always Lawrie,your right on easy start (or as the Australians call it,"Start you bast@#d!" Diesels get addicted to it,and I ve heard somewhere it drys the heads out. Once all this nastiness is over,keep the vids coming,always enjoyable. Stay safe and well.

[@lmm]

Such a wonderful product name!

[@Daveyrd11]

Great vid as always, I might have to go an play with my model simplex now!

[@lmm]

Great idea!

[@justniccy2402]

The loco is yellow, so I love it. It also looks pretty adorable, awesome video!

[@lmm]

Thank you, I think it's super cute too!

[@anubratachakraborty1370]

I liked it as well. It is fast. Really fast.

[@theman4816]

9:57 nobody gone talk about the door just opening?

[@lmm]

Don't doors open for you when you gesture?

[@theman4816]

@@lmm no... wel the supermarkt doors open when i make a gesture

[@sawyerawr5783]

Simplexes just look so right with a rake of V-tip wagons behind them for some reason.

[@lmm]

Stereotypical narrow gauge I guess

[@thatguynathan5816]

Laurie, if you like simplexes you should make the trek to Leighton buzzard Narrow Guage railway. They have many (used to volunteer there and I was trained on simplexes with them by an original simplex loco trainer). They hold the record for the most locomotives heading a train and most were simplexes so that gives you a good idea of the number. Lot with cabs like Drusilla in there original for with a curtain at the front! 'Luxuries'. Personal favourite though that you should review would be '778'. Huge history (seeing use in ww1) and just a lovely Baldwin locomotive. She even had a 009 model made on a short run she's that famous. Good memories with the loco as cleaner. Or "ped" 'pedamoura'. A 0-6-0 tank engine that was regauged from standard to 2ft. Really looks out of place and massive for a narrow gauge. All the best

[@Mechn0x]

Recent finder of your channel, maybe been checking out Lawrie Goes Loco for a couple weeks and yesterday started branching into your other playlists as well just because I'm enjoying you and your friends. Just thanks for the continuous effort into this channel right now. Hope it's as entertaining/fun for you as it is for us.

[@lmm]

Thank you, glad to hear you're enjoying what we do!

[@karindeblaere6263]

drusilla thats a nice name for a litttle diesel on the great bush railway

[@lmm]

I like it!

[@technothemechanicalwolf]

I love simplex locomotive because the look of it is different 🚂🙂

[@lmm]

They're strange little beasties

[@LewiBuchProductions]

Great Video! Alford Valley Railway has one of these! Although the cabs been highly modified

[@lmm]

Oh really? How so?

[@LewiBuchProductions]

Lawrie's Mechanical Marvels Alford Valley railways engine has the cab made a lot taller, its called the Wee Gordon highlander

[@DanHill1991]

Another good video Lawrie. I've probably more than likely seen this Simplex at some stage. I was taken to Drusillas Zoo quite a few times as a kid and would ride the railway (it didn't actually run around the whole zoo as I recall just a short loop,I haven't been for near 20 odd years so might not be remembering correctly). When this was sold for scrap, it was around the time that the railway at Drusillas became a Thomas the Tank attraction which I believe has now closed which might also have played a factor in her sale for scrap.

[@lmm]

Ooooh! That would make some sense!

[@DanHill1991]

@@lmm Not to sure I had a ride behind it but remember the red battery loco that resembled a steam loco as seemed to be the main runner. Interesting to find out how the Simplex survived though.

[@ewhays]

I'm sure the Tank Museum has some suggestions on seats. Like ones that have a back that fold down so that you can enter through the door behind you.

[@lmm]

Oh right? This is just how it is 😂

[@oliverbudd3880]

Really want to visit this place love all the stuff in the background like the roller and I spotted an old AEC matador

[@lmm]

It's a fantastic place. The steam fair is fantastic!

[@ks_56]

when quarantine is over it would be epic to see you drive a mainline steam loco

[@lmm]

That would be lovely. I fear I'll have to be many times bigger for that to happen

[@ks_56]

indeed.

[@larryarcher4502]

Oil over full perfect battery box missing good to go you got to love Industrials , awhoooga!!! from the USA :-)

[@lmm]

Great things aren't they

[@phil69881]

A proper LGL video! I've missed these.... 👌👍

[@lmm]

Back on schedule!

[@whirlpool851]

Great show as always!

[@lmm]

Thank you very much!

[@OPHYCLIDE]

I've driven past that plant many times - theres a weird little narrow single track hump back bridge that crosses the river at the end of the road that can be interesting to cross if someone decides they aren't going to wait and attempt to cross anyway leading to stand offs. I'm sure I recall there being rail laid accross that road but I never saw anything cross. Now I know the answer!

[@lmm]

Another bit of the mystery solved!

[@ukaszwalczak1154]

Hey Lawrie i have a suggestion ,the steamplex! A vertical boiler on a chassis of a simplex! You should check it out( i haven't tho cuz i live in Poland but) it looks interesting!

[@Jasonsminiadventure]

As a gearhead who is into a bit of everything I have a massive appreciation for your content.

[@lmm]

Thank you very much!

[@bobthedalek]

Probably worth mentioning that the railway at Drusilla's Zoo wasn't always worked by a certain steam outline blue tank engine. Grew up in the area and used to go almost monthly during the mid 90s. Back then it was worked by both Drusilla and steam outline Ruston! Always thought it was a shame when the 'Thomas Takeover' happened, the railway lost so much of it's charm. deangoods.co.uk/sussexjpgfolder/images/6.html

[@lmm]

Oh really? Thanks for the info!

[@TankEngine75]

What happened to the Ruston? And I heard there's also another Simplex called Bill,what happened to that Simplex too?

[@landykid]

I would love to know more about that C-47 at the beginning of the video. that's more than likely a D-day Bird...

[@RonanCoughlan99]

Should get onto Plane savers. They might be able to get the history behind it

[@landykid]

@@RonanCoughlan99 I already am I followed DTD from the very beginning.

[@lmm]

It was used as a caravan by the collections founder.

[@chrisgurney2467]

oooh nice

[@lmm]

Thank you!

[@KrisDouglas]

We have the next generation of this, the air cooled Deutz 40SD501 from Minworth at Amerton, you could do a Minworth series once normality is restored!

[@KrisDouglas]

Also the sock isn't the worst thing. 501 *has 70s porn in it*. No joke.

[@lmm]

Coming soon to LMM 18+ edition 😂

[@tamarmolerick3814]

Cracking video

[@lmm]

Thank you!

[@bluerazor7049]

Third, great little loco. It looks really funny yet it's a old workhorse!

[@lmm]

It's a fantastic bit if kit!

[@paulshirley6383]

LOUIS SHIRLEY Lawrie's Mechanical Marvels 👹👹👹👹👹👹👹👹👹👹👹👹👹👹👹👹👹👹👹👹

[@lmm]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@47606odin]

23:08 watching the wheel jump on the points, don’t think you want to go much faster or you’ll have an earth fault lol😅

[@lmm]

Industrial narrow gauge, it bounces about a bit!

[@warriorstar2517]

If you could review any steam loco from the Ffestiniog Railway, what would it be? For me, it would probably be one of the Double Fairlies, likely James Spooner when it’s completed.

[@lmm]

Would have to be a double Fairlie or Prince.

[@vaitonl314]

"Fine Fettle" is that the new "Trundle"

[@lmm]

Trundle will appear again I'm sure 😂

[@joeythefox2876]

I think I love narrow gauge more than standard

[@lmm]

There's a real charm to narrow gauge

[@graemew7001]

For all its claustrophobic and a nightmare to get into I'd far rather drive this one for what it was used for than the one last year, that one brought home to me how terrifying WW1 really was.

[@lmm]

Oh certainly - a peace time occupation far better than the war

[@graemew7001]

@@lmm Agreed, that wartime Simplex gave me chills as to the situation it was used in, your video was well filmed and really brought the fear right home to the viewer.

[@teescottageguyproductions]

Drussila looks like an engine at the westonzoyland Pumping Station

[@lmm]

On my list of places to visit!

[@Meddled]

Just some casual sections of aircraft fuselage in the background there.

[@lmm]

Was used by the founder of the collection as a caravan!

[@Meddled]

Lawrie's Mechanical Marvels interesting, if a little cramped!

[@bbitte7606]

¡Muy bien! I would love to own a little loco like that - maybe wouldn’t be so good at driving it though! xD

[@lmm]

They're lovely little things to drive!

[@dronespace]

Fab video

[@lmm]

Thank you!

[@BigBountyHunter]

Just found this channel, love it subscribed!! Love these little railways, there is plenty of inspiration on your channel for modellers too. Is that a piece of dc3 aircraft in the background there? Looks a very interesting place

[@lmm]

Thank you very much - glad to hear you're enjoying what we do! The aircraft was used as a caravan by the collections founder!

[@Lemon-hi9id]

The cab was so designed that those who drive it would not want to stop as they would dread getting out.

[@lmm]

Once you're in, you're in forever

[@douro20]

If I had one of these I'd probably have a 3- or 4-cylinder in it so it would sound like a proper locomotive.

[@lmm]

This is a proper locomotive!

[@AnonyDave]

That cabin makes the average children's coffin look spacious 😨

[@lmm]

It's a little tight 😂

[@jacobditmars8414]

Hey Lawrie, a little unrelated but I thought I'd throw it out there on a video about a loco the was sent to the scrap yard in preservation. Did you know that there is a scrap yard in Kirkcaldy, Scotland that has 4 Andrew Barclay 0-4-0t steam locos that preservation seems to have overlooked. They are at 56.11966, -3.15658 on google maps it you try to spot them from there.

[@lmm]

Yeah I know of them, would love to save one or two. Very far gone though

[@jacobditmars8414]

@@lmm oh, well didn't know if you did, and wanted to tell a preservationist to see if you could get people interested in those locos.

[@asociacionmodelismodeltren906]

good

[@robinforrest7680]

She reminds me of "Rusty" on the Skarloey Railway. I'd ne tempted to entend the bodywork over the radiator as far as the front buffer beam. Great video as always Lawrie 👍 Thanks.

[@lmm]

The Ruston I reviewed here in episode two would be the closer to the prototype! This is how they should be though.

[@robinforrest7680]

@@lmm Aha! It's Thursday so Mr Lawrie is reading comments before putting his next video on line 😁. What mechanical marvels will we witness today I wonder?

[@timsytanker]

I want one!

[@lmm]

Me too!

[@TankEngine75]

I have a question,I heard there were other Drusilla Zoo Simplexes and Rustons,what happened to them anyways?

[@Theutmostgeek]

I see a green godess hiding in the back

[@southcoast999]

Nice

[@lmm]

Thank you!

[@alfiewells5848]

Wow love the vid but next time can you review the tram in the background please it looks really funny thanks Alfie

[@lmm]

Maybe, I think it really doesn't like points

[@alfiewells5848]

Ok thanks

[@Mouzekiller83]

nice video. but i have one question. can't you just remade the handle which fit in there? it hasn't to be an original one.

[@lmm]

They could, but the starter works!

[@Cliffdog01]

I like all these small industrial trains they really cool. A side note is there any chance you'd be allowed to review some of the buses they look great too especially the white and the green and cream coloured double-decker?

[@lmm]

Glad you enjoyed it - I'm currently looking into the possibility of it

[@shedhead00]

The few clips of the wheels on the rails showed a lot of daylight, which I think must affect traction,

[@lmm]

The surface area on wheel to rail is always quite low

[@trmn311]

It needs a body on the front of it then it would kind of look like a mini Rustin!

[@lmm]

But it looks so good as it is!

[@JamesSchem]

Do we get to see around the Bedford fire engine too? :)

[@lmm]

Maybe at some point!

[@andyg3]

what was the motivation for just sending it to the scrapyard?

[@lmm]

It didn't start well and they didn't want it

[@nottelling8129]

What was with the airplane fuselages?

[@yelfsteam]

We are thinking of putting wasps stripes on it

[@lmm]

That would look good

[@chriscoghlan4375]

Argh! £500??? So jealous!!!!!

[@JintySteam1]

You are the closest we have to a railway top gear apart from steam locos in profile

[@lmm]

Thank you very much!

[@dalexdba1]

Not sure how many cylinders it has, but sounds like one may not be firing...!

[@lmm]

Just the noise it makes.

[@thomasamsterdam]

Is that a fire engine we see at 15:00?

[@lmm]

Yep

[@MRPUD1]

They look funny but they do the job . Just a question was the loco standard or narrow gauge . Great to see you having fun

[@lmm]

It's a strange thing but great fun She's 2 foot.

[@CB3ROB-CyberBunker]

looks at airplane. 'oh look there is an airplane' :P next episode 'look what i bought' :P

[@jappedut9009]

Has any of the railways you have visited , benefitted from your visit ?😊

[@lmm]

Yes

[@hughescrab]

Any Idea what that Tram is in the background of some of the shots in the shed? Is it just a static(ish) exhibit or can it move under battery power?

[@lmm]

It runs under battery power!