Sentinel Rebuild 4W-DH Yellow w/Wasp Stripes (DCC-Sound)

Sentinel Rebuild 4W-DH Yellow w/Wasp Stripes (DCC-Sound)

Details:

The Rapido Trains UK Thomas Hill Sentinel Rebuild 4wDH is a highly detailed OO Gauge model of the distinctive diesel-hydraulic industrial shunter. This compact locomotive is ideal for recreating industrial railway operations on layouts and display collections.

Featuring a smooth-running mechanism, NEM 362 coupler pockets and an E24 DCC decoder socket. All variants are equipped with a MoPower stay-alive capacitor and factory-installed speaker, providing reliable running and an excellent platform for digital operation.

Features:

• DCC Sound Fitted Model
• Works No. 111c
• Yellow and Black livery with Wasp Stripes, as preserved
• Thomas Hill conversion with chassis-mounted sanding gear
• Rear-mounted radius rods and 24-inch buffer heads
• E24 DCC decoder socket

Historical Background

Thomas Hill Limited of Rotherham was founded in 1937, initially specialising in the repair and servicing of steam-powered road vehicles. By 1942, the company had expanded into servicing battery-electric vehicles and subsequently developed an interest in the emerging potential of diesel power. Thomas Hill entered into an agency agreement with Sentinel Waggon Works Ltd, becoming responsible for the sales and servicing of Sentinel steam and diesel road vehicles, as well as Sentinel steam locomotives. Following the decline of Sentinel diesel sales, Rolls-Royce acquired the Sentinel Waggon Works factory in 1956 for diesel engine production and completed the remaining Sentinel steam locomotive orders.

From 1957, Rolls-Royce began developing diesel locomotives alongside the final steam locomotives, with Thomas Hill assisting with their design and development and becoming the sole distributor. The company established its new Kilnhurst Works at Kilnhurst Central station on the former Great Central Railway, which opened in late 1959. One of the early projects was the conversion of Sentinel steam locomotives to diesel-hydraulic power. Design work had begun in 1958, taking advantage of the Sentinel locomotives' unusual construction. The original chassis, wheels and final transmission were retained, while the steam equipment was replaced by a six- or eight-cylinder Rolls-Royce diesel-hydraulic power unit, torque converter and gearbox. A completely new body, cab, buffer beams and buffers were also fitted, together with improved controls, visibility, recessed steps and side skirts.

The first conversion, locomotive No. 101c, left Kilnhurst Works in January 1960. Four conversions were completed during 1960, followed by a further seven in 1961. The 'c' suffix was used in the works numbers to identify converted locomotives. The converted locomotives found work across a wide range of industrial railways and industries throughout the UK. Operational examples have been preserved at the Foxfield Railway and Chasewater Railway.