Just after World War Two in the late 1940s, the famed engineering concern of Ruston Hornsby and Co. Ltd., decided on a bold move to diversify from their usual oil engines that appeared in many sizes and configurations, that included diesel locos for mines, locos for shunting, works, and port duties, and the other machinery for which they were well known worldwide. 

At this time, Ruston had a number of far sighted and progressive men in cha