The mighty Ruston 165 DS - Lawrie Goes Loco Episode 1.

Hello everyone - today its the first of my locomotive reviews, and we're starting off with the first locomotive I got passed out to drive - the Mid-Suffolk Light Railway's Ruston 165 DS.
If you like what you've seen and want more information on the Mid-Suffolk Light Railway - or you're interested in joining the railway, have a look at their website.
www.mslr.org.uk/
Note: For the sequence when Lawrie is speaking to the camera, there are no members of the public on board the train.
I've got an Instagram! Keep track of what I'm up to with Lawries_Mechanical_Marvels

[@MrCarrera28]

Inside every man is a little boy who wants a life sized train set!! Thanks for showing its possible to live the dream.

[@lmm]

The little boy in me is ecstatic every time I'm on an engine. More so the first time I drove mine. That was a good day.

[@harald.370]

Wow, a lot of firsts in this video: - the thing works THE ENTIRE VIDEO - there is no swearing or any sighs - you seem to know what you’re doing - you seem to know what you’re talking about Bring on more 👍

[@lmm]

We're breaking new ground! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@MrKeyboardCommando]

@@lmm I don't know about breaking new ground, Clovis, but it's certainly the first time you've been accused of knowing what you're doing‼️🤣🤣🤣

[@lmm]

My acting is improving 😂

[@lmm]

All the pieces are falling into place. 🤣

[@MrKeyboardCommando]

@@lmm You'll soon be able to put your masterplan into action. ( Clovis departs the stage, rubbing his hands and cackling maniacally).

[@Danis8Pastry]

I don't think their is another channel on youtube that reviews locomotives. Keep doing what you are doing! The world needs a channel that reviews locomotives. :D

[@lmm]

I genuinely think we're the first KZbin channel to do it - a first on KZbin in 2019, that's right, you saw it here first lads!

[@Danis8Pastry]

​@@lmm I think this is the way you should go! Though I also love your "What's broken now" episodes, their are many other channels where people buy old stuff and try to fix it. I would suggest you made the "Lawrie goes Loco" into it's own big channel, where you travel around Britain and the world, reviewing all kinds of locomotives, and visiting factories and specialist manufacturers like boiler makers. And then kept "Lawrie's mechanical Marvels" as your personal channel, for things like "What's broken now", and updates on your other projects.

[@lmm]

It's possible that will happen if things get big enough. Glad you're enjoying it, whichever channel its on 😂

[@Danis8Pastry]

@@lmm Looks like that will be soon. Your channel is growing faster and faster. Around 500 subscribers a day at this stage. :D

[@lmm]

It's just mad. We're really excited by it!

[@PaulinesPastimes]

Quite a beast. As you say, it's crying out for the Ruston green and some nice detail work. Keep up the fun. Cheers.

[@lmm]

They're making progress with it. It's now in two tone livery as it starts to go green!

[@PaulinesPastimes]

Can't wait to see it finished.

[@belfastbusfan]

I work on a Heritage railway myself and I’ve noticed a Major major fault in this video at 10:02 the first wagon behind the locomotive still has either a scotch in place or brakes applied as the rear axle / wheels is dragging which will in turn cause a flat wheel.

[@lmm]

Yeah, looks like the brake was still on. If memory serves it was spotted and sorted.

[@elitegamerandrew5979]

I can quite happily say I’m 15 and have started and driven a 165DS, and I love your 48 😁 it’s cool but dinky

[@lmm]

Good going buddy, we need young people to show an interest and keep the hobby going. Thank you, she is really dinky, but I think she's the best thing ever!

[@martinharper5112]

We have 165 DE. Freshly painted at Ingrow Loco on the Keighley and Wirth Valley Railway. I have video of of the 6PS running for compressor start system.

[@lmm]

Oh cool, the actual 165hp version!

[@tomworley8523]

Great film, interesting machine..... Thanks for making and posting.

[@lmm]

You're welcome - thanks for the kind word! More interesting stuff to come!

[@kymvalleygardensdesign5350]

That's a real locomotive ! love it.

[@lmm]

She's a good old lump

[@Electra_1203]

Love the episode!! Well done! Would you consider doing a steamie sometimes soon, I’d love to see the Y7 or could you try and do siraphite while she’s still in your care? Thank you!

[@lmm]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed the video. We did 813 when it visited the EARM. The Y7 and Sirapite are both on the agenda to do. Just need to get rostered on them!

[@pizza2437]

I'm not a big train guy, but that train is so cool.

[@lmm]

Thank you! Glad you liked it!

[@cjstibitz2130]

If you think its cool don't kid yourself, your a train guy. You just have to look into it more. Believe me if you think this little engine is cool you learn about it more/look more into it you'll realize all engines are cool

[@IOWPCV]

Great vid bit envious ! 😂. I really want to have a go in a Deltic or class 37 used to watch them as a kid and always loved old diesels

[@lmm]

Thank you! Closest I got was in a class 50. Which was awesome - though only on a preserved railway. I do love a 37 though.

[@Andy-pu2iv]

Great! That looks like so much fun!

[@lmm]

It really is just the best.

[@MinorLG]

Sign - "Not to be moved". Is being moved throughout the entire video.

[@lmm]

They were working on something which needed to be moved slightly, so board came off and then went back on.

[@AndysGamingHub]

Lawrie it's great to c the little train more

[@lmm]

Once it's sorted it'll be featured more regularly. Not much I can do with it other than use it as a very inconvenient green paperweight!

[@AndysGamingHub]

@@lmm still it's a beautiful little train

[@lmm]

Thank you! I think she's lovely. I really couldn't be happier with her and how she's turned out.

[@JanPieterGerritsen]

Just googlemapped the hell out of it. I am really going to have to visit next time I am in Ipswitch. There is talk about "steam" being different in drive, hope we are going to get to see a review of the 2525 which looks like very interesting.

[@lmm]

The railway is only open for certain dates in the year - that's all on the website though. I recommend the Diesel day, because my little 48 should be running. Hopefully. Steam is a totally different experience, and far better. We'll get onto 2525 - known as the 'Tram' (despite not actually being a tram) hopefully in the future - which an all together different experience to drive than a 'regular' steam locomotive. All the steam engines are winterised at the moment, but we'll get to them. Drop me a message sometime and we'll liaise and I'll show you round the railway - wonderful atmosphere.

[@mosspearce229]

Bro, I'm from chard, wasn't expecting to hear that town in this video

[@lmm]

Oh cool!

[@SteamboatWilley]

There are examples of both types of Ruston locos featured in this video at the Scottish Industrial Railway Centre, in various stages of dismantlement, both with their original Ruston prime movers.

[@lmm]

Oh really? That's interesting. Thanks for letting us know!

[@scotth9764]

Fantastic and informative video. I have had the pleasure of driving the 165DE up at the Bowes Railway in gateshead where I volunteer, very powerful and very reliable locomotive and from what i've seen here much more easy to drive ;)..... direction, throttle, air breaks that's it for the 165DE and also air started :D

[@lmm]

I really want to do Bowes, it looks so atmospheric! I'd be really interested in doing a DE and see how it varies - I bet its a lot smoother!

[@robinforrest7680]

Excellent !! When's the next one coming? 11:28 "not that you could miss this thing coming". I thought so too but you'd be amazed. Some years ago I was firing 0-6-6-0 Mallet articulated tank loco no 404 on the Vivarais Railway in the Ardèche. Now 404 was (and is, though she's no longer running😢) a very large, very heavy, very red, very noisy, metre gauge steam locomotive. A guy in an ancient Renault 9 ran into us at low speed on an ungated level crossing. Needless to say the R9 was a hopeless write off though the driver was unscathed. 404 got a small chip in the freshly applied red paint we'd put on the front buffer beam the day before. My driver was most displeased. I could translate what he said that day, but it would likely be censored by KZbin 😉. A true case of "pardon my French" The R9 driver said "sorry I didn't see you" or French to that effect. But HOW? HOW do you not see a very large, very heavy, very red, very noisy, metre gauge compound steam locomotive which is belching out large clouds of steam and coal smoke? HOW do you not hear it hissing loudly (because the drain cocks on those four cylinders are open) and whistling to warn of its approach to a public road crossing? All this at not much over 8mph. I suspect it may have had something to do with the local wine festival which was on that day. The road crossing was just outside the entrance to one of the many local wine producers, offering (as they do) free wine tasting. The R9 driver's nose was about as red as old 404 and I strongly suspect the car was not alone in being "loaded" with Côtes du Rhône red wine. I'd love to have seen his insurance declaration 😅😅😅😅

[@lmm]

Oh I think I've seen photos of her. She's quite the machine! What a story - I laughed. I have a friend who was travelling behind steam in Poland when a lorry drove into the side of the locomotive at a crossing - lorry driver claimed not to have seen the train either. Which is somewhat worrying. Especially in your case - in Poland the thing is doing 40 - 50 odd mph - but at 8 mph, I suspect you are correct - the wine may have had an effect. What was she like to fire?

[@robinforrest7680]

@@lmm Great but the compounding means you don't get a nice chuffing sound like you do with simple expansion locos. Also (might be a feature of French machines) the water and steam supplies to the injectors are separate, so you first open the water supply valve and then slowly open the steam valve until it picks up. Sometimes, especially when the injectors are very hot it doesn't pick up and then you have to shut them both and start all over again. The other risk is forgetting to shut off the water valve afterwards and emptying your side tanks all along the track! I never got on the footplate in the UK, but from what I've seen in films the injector control does both steam and water at the same time. Is that right?

[@lmm]

I'd miss the chuffing 😂 Injectors depend on the locomotive. Most industrials like I'm used to have the same system as you've described, with plenty of trimming of water and steam to get the injector to run clean. Bigger engines frequently have the two controls, but it's the case of water - open, and steam - on and it works. Tornado has an exhaust injector which the water feed is set and left, and it works when steam is turned on. Stuff I've played with in Poland has a combining injector, crack it, wait a moment then turn the thing a full turn and it's working. Magic.

[@TheDaf95xf]

Nice one 👍🏻 I live in Manchester and back in the 70s we had a day trip too Gardner Diesel engine factory in Eccles lol 😂 I remember the machinery was driven by buck leather belts off the roof hehe 😂 Great video 😃

[@lmm]

Oh, that's really cool, yeah, I've seen photos of everything being driven by belts. Absolutely mad! Thanks - glad you enjoyed it!

[@bentullett6068]

We have one of these Rustons in our carriage and wagon yard in Bewdley at the Severn Valley Railway and there is another one at Kidderminster carriage department. Our one seems to get looked after very well compared to the other one.

[@lmm]

I'm sure I've seen one of them at Bewley before. Are the mechanical, electrical or Hydraulic drive?

[@bentullett6068]

@@lmm I don't know about the drive, but all I know is they a 165DM models. Bridgenorth has one as well but this is a 165DME

[@lmm]

DM is diesel mechanical, so that answers that question!

[@Jordan4Ibanez]

That locomotive looks amazing!

[@lmm]

Thank you! It's a good little workhorse

[@RockyRailroadProductions_B0SS]

Locos like this are very underrated - They're quirky, almost cartoonish, but just have a lot of personality.

[@lmm]

It's a good shunting Loco, and as the railway work through the niggles, it's improving day on day.

[@RockyRailroadProductions_B0SS]

@@lmm Good to hear! That new matching green livery sounds pretty fantastic too!

[@CZ350tuner]

The expression "Handles / corners like its on rails" refers to: A car that does not oversteer or understeer in corners regardless of road surface quality even on poorly maintained roads such as those around Salisbury and Wiltshire. A motorcycle that does not steer on throttle (throttle does not effect the bike's lean angle & cornering radius), attempts to force the bars to full lock when leant into a corner (tuck in), buck or weave due to bad suspension & frame quality (1970's Japanese motorcycles especially 2 stroke tripples!!). In other words a motorcycle with perfectly neutral handling temperament.

[@lmm]

It's really interesting to know the history of where it comes from, but it just futhers my point that this doesn't handle like its on rails 😂

[@simidhel]

Great review and a lovely loco, even if it's in need of a coat of paint.

[@lmm]

It's coming together now, it's even got some new paint on it now!

[@oscardavidson2139]

big black monster of a loco hope its looking better in its new suit of green

[@lmm]

It's slowly going green!

[@The7FBR]

Brilliant!

[@lmm]

Thank you! More to come!

[@ukaszwalczak1154]

These Ruston bois are the only diesels to have cylinders like a steam loco(kinda).

[@lmm]

This doesn't have cylinders like a steam Loco. It's internal combustion.

[@ukaszwalczak1154]

@@lmm I know Lawrie, that is why i said kinda cuz it just reminds me a tiny bit of an outside cylinder loco & I KNOW it's a diesel didn't have to tell me that.

[@LunaIsOnYoutube]

To the people who are seeing this comment: Should I make a simular engine to the Ruston in Garry’s mod trainbuild?

[@lmm]

Would be interesting to see a 165 recreated.

[@LunaIsOnYoutube]

Lawrie's Mechanical Marvels Sadly because of my not very good skill I GMod trainbuild I’ll have to make it without a coupling rod, it’s hard to make, but I’ll try to make it using Realistic Loco Control Platinum ( RLCPT ) If it does work I’ll probably reply to this with a link to the image on twitter or reddit

[@lmm]

@@LunaIsOnKZbin I look forward to seeing your progress.

[@LunaIsOnYoutube]

Lawrie's Mechanical Marvels Sooo.... the Ruston is hard af to make, I’ll try to do a custom engine based on the Ruston, just its full scale easy make

[@LunaIsOnYoutube]

Lawrie's Mechanical Marvels I’m sorry, I had to abandon making it I made the body and stuff but the RLCPT stuff and control stands messed up They “work” but don’t move the engine Sadly i can’t make anything without the RLCPT stuff I’m sorry

[@kymvalleygardensdesign5350]

Awesome

[@lmm]

Thank you

[@joelschorschi9683]

The diesel electric Version is so much easier to drive, apply the brake and the power is automatically cut by an air-operated switch. But as with all rustons, yours sounds and looks great!

[@lmm]

I really want to have a go with an electric one to really see the difference between them. The MSLR's 165 is getting there, been frightfully important to the railway.

[@ConnorsWorkshop17]

A good place where you should visit is the east lancs railway in bury in Manchester uk

[@lmm]

I've visited many times. Would love to do something with them

[@lmm]

I've visited many times. Would love to do something with them

[@ConnorsWorkshop17]

@@lmm ah so you know them just that I’ve been told apparently your located down south

[@ConnorsWorkshop17]

@@lmm in may they are having a visit from the flying Scotsman

[@dronespace]

Love this video

[@LiamE69]

Never mind the power, feel the torque.

[@lmm]

There's a bit there that's for sure 😂

[@wellingtonnorthjunction3911]

Our one is rotten still works and it only runs on the works train

[@williamsanders]

10.05 : locked axle on the first wagon?

[@belfastbusfan]

W. S. Yep handbrake probably still applied or scotch jammed in place.

[@lmm]

So it is, probs the vacuum still catching.

[@MrKeyboardCommando]

Ah, well, a day late and a dollar short. I must be losing my touch‼️ Still, not to worry.😫😢😭

[@lmm]

Man I thought we had something special... 😂 😂 😂

[@MrKeyboardCommando]

@@lmm Mea culpa, Clovis‼️ Through my tardiness, and downright dilatoriness, I have ruined a beautiful thing. How can you ever forgive me⁉️🙏🏼😢

[@lmm]

@@MrKeyboardCommando The comments above made me chuckle. All is forgiven

[@MrKeyboardCommando]

@@lmm Oh, thank the Lord. Now I can continue with, what may be laughingly called, my life.👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@lmm]

Hahaha. Good luck with that? 😂 😂 😂

[@twonkfieldrailways4110]

I voulteer at the east Somerset railway in the east of Somerset there is someone there with 5 sentinel diesels two chain driven 0-4-0s one rod driven 0-4-0 and two 0-6-0s but one is in unrestored condition. Hornby have made the two chain driven locos cattewater and msc but only about two of them are ever operational. he even used to own a hudswell clark which he's donated to the Middleton railway.

[@lmm]

I've visited your railway serveral times - really nice friendly place.

[@twonkfieldrailways4110]

would like to volunteer at any other railway very friendly and don't anywhere else that can restore two Barry island wreaks in 4 years.

[@twonkfieldrailways4110]

oh and a barclay in 3 months

[@lmm]

The guy leading the project at the mslr to rebuild the societies steam loco was one of the guys who worked down there on the first standard they did. Impressive stuff!

[@ghostwolves3437]

2:30 Oxford "Shire" we in middle earth or you just trying to get it to rhyme with fire :P

[@lmm]

It's near enough

[@t.s.railfanning]

It's interesting to see some of the other locomotives from the other side of the ocean. I live in the United States of America and our locomotives and railcars are in my opinion all basic design with 4 axle locomotives and 6 axle locomotives. Not sure if I trust the coupling system that you guys have over there. I definitely trust the aar knuckle couplers we have here because at least you're in a safe spot when coupling to railcars and locomotives. Nice video though.

[@lmm]

We've got quite a few coupling systems. The mainline passenger trains moved to buckeye couplings too like you use Freight stayed chain and hook, and most units have their own peculiarities. Heritage trains in preserved lines tend to still use the hook and chain. It's a pretty good system. Glad you enjoyed the video, we've got quite the little series now!

[@tonydeleo3642]

Hi Lawrie, why do the switch engines in UK use the push and connecting rods on the drive wheels, even with diesel mechanical engines while in the USA they use gear drive? Thanks for the great videos!

[@lmm]

Heya Tony, it's not all of them, my little 48 has gears and a chain. Honestly I don't know, but I assume it's due to age of design and cost. The BR 08 Shunter was developed from one built for the London Midlands d Scottish railway during the golden age of UK steam, so rods where the way of doing things. I think they're cheaper to make than gears too. I'm sure someone will correct me!

[@TheHatMusic]

Electric start on a 165.. that must be nice! The compressed air start is a pain if the starter tank pressure is too low and you have to wait for 2 hours for the smaller compressor to build it up before you can turn it over properly. The vac came up pretty quick on that when you applied it.. was that because it wasn't coupled to a train or does it just have a beast of an ejector?

[@lmm]

I've heard nothing but bad things about air start on locos - I think it was popular in the Ruston 88's. Thankfully we can avoid that on the things we have at the mslr. The vac is acceptable when in use - there was no train in the clip - it takes significantly longer and more revs!

[@TheHatMusic]

@@lmm The air start is fine, so long as you remember to refill the tank when the main engine is actually running, which isn't an issue if you're paying attention, but the auxiliary compressor isn't exactly huge... Same issue with the vac on ours. Single pipe so about 20 seconds(ish) for a full release when the revs are up, but at idle its easier to just release it as soon as you pull up and hold it on the air brake till you get the tip. Finicky things those Rustons, but rather lovely in their own way.

[@lmm]

I suppose that also depends on how soon you'll restart and how air tight all your fittings are. I know many a tale on various diesels, especially in poor weather, which won't fire then you have to wait an age for the little compressor to charge it back up. That's pretty much what we do with ours. It works! Once you've got your head round how it works, they're great fun! And pretty hardy things.

[@TheHatMusic]

@@lmm Yep, that's about the size of it. It doesn't take a lot of pressure to turn it over, and it's reasonably good at keeping a reserve in the tank even during the off season. It gets started at least once a month usually to top the tanks up and circulate some vital fluids but when we're running ever week, it's usually fine. As with most things, if you pay attention it's fine, but correcting for an oversight is pretty time consuming. We had a class 101 power car running with the Ruston for Santa Specials last year, so we used the twin pipe with one engine running on the DMU end for the braking. A bit unorthodox, but it was nice to see the needle rising quickly for a change. The DMUs are more comfortable to drive, but I'm developing a bit of a soft spot for the little Ruston, quirks and all!

[@matthewesler8379]

Why don't reviews some new Zealand locos in like the weka pass rail you could drive an a class steam loco

[@BrentSudric]

He looks like ringo star mister conductor!

[@lmm]

I'll take that 😂

[@Ghost_Recon_404]

Sorry to sound rude but how much does it coated to become a train driver? 🤔

[@lmm]

I only drive in heritage railways, so nothing

[@Toontrain]

What's that horrible buzzing sound when the loco is running, is that the Vacuum Exhauster?

[@lmm]

Yeap. It's horrible isn't it.

[@jackclark94]

still prefer to drive an 03 tbh

[@lmm]

I'd really like a go in an 03!

[@spainter1985]

Is that Gardner engine the same kind as the one used in the MCW Metrobus? The power output and engine sound sounds quite familiar!

[@lmm]

I'm afraid I haven't got a clue - though it seems rather large to go in a road vehicle - and weighs quite a bit too!

[@spainter1985]

@@lmm You're right - although there are some visual similarities the engine I'm thinking of is the Gardner 6LXCT - a mere 10.5 litres!

[@lmm]

Oh just a little engine then! 😂

[@heartland96a]

How many people are involved in operations at the railway ? How many years has it been operating ? Are there any plans to ever lengthen the tracks

[@lmm]

Hello, the Mid-Suffolk Light Railway has around 80 active volunteers, though to operate trains we can do it with four it five. The original railway was opened to freight in 1904 and passengers in 1908, and was closed in 1952, with everything being removed - stations, buildings, track gone. In 1990 the society wast formed to create the museum, and the first passenger train ran in 2002. We're currently building a half mile extension!

[@heartland96a]

@@lmm I hope the group continues to grow and the rail museum to expand .

[@lmm]

Thank you, I think they shall!

[@cjstibitz2130]

How fast would it go in 4th gear

[@lmm]

I have no idea, I've never managed it. I guess about 15mph?

[@wesleythomas1594]

Oddly enough for a diesel why does it sound vaguely like a ride on lawnmower? 🤔

[@lmm]

That's the vacuum ejector running that gives the high pitched whirring.

[@class_31clag]

Ruston 195

[@lmm]

It's a 165

[@class_31clag]

@lmm Ruston named locos by HP and this one did have 165 but as you stated the engine makes 195 not 165 so technically its a Ruston 195 😂

[@lmm]

@@class_31clag I guess this one could be

[@rayneal1469]

You need to either find a better microphone or speak louder I found it hard to hear you when you were inside the cab

[@lmm]

We have moved on a lot in the last three years!

[@rayneal1469]

@@lmm OK Where have you or we gone?

[@lmm]

That was the first episode, we're now into the twenties, and production has improved massively!

[@anubratachakraborty1370]

Painfully slow and noisey.

[@lmm]

They're not that bad.