Abovementioned site tells that it is a ex-Ballastcleaner power unit. When first delivered to British Rail in 1975 the unit’s running number was DR 76105 (DB Number DB966017). It was converted to a depot shunter in 1986 at Kilmarnock and numbered 96601. However to avoid confusion with D of M & EE’s battery locomotives, it was numbered 97701. Its twin has been scrapped, making the Matisa at Robertsbridge unique in the UK. Summarizing the data for adding to the DB: United Kingdom , BR, Service unit (not officially a locomotive) Built by Matisa, Switzerland in 1975 Converted by BR Kilmarnock in 1986 1435 mm gauge
The Rother Valley web site details relate to the "locomotive" they obtained which was 97 601 (97 701) ex DR 76105 not the one in the picture which is the one I photographed as 97 703 which was later allocated number 97 603 but was never carried. As you say it was an ex Matisa C311 power unit (wks no.2654 / 1975) rebuilt as a shunter in 1986. Its BR track machine number was DB966016 from new then in c.1975 it became DR76104 under the CEPS renumbering for on track plant. In 1986 it was rebuilt as a shunter and became 97 703 the 97 7xx number series was that already in use by the DM&EE for battery locomotives so on paper it was allocated numbers 97 603 but this was never carried. The 96601 number on the RVR web site is a typing error.
BR later used 97 703 (97 603) at Dalmeny for Forth Bridge Works trains. If the ex ballast cleaner power unit was considered to be an on track machine it would have been allocated a DR or DX prefixed CEPS (Civil Engineers Plant System) number but as it was now seen as a locomotive in its own right it got a TOPS locomotive number. When conversion was authorised in 1985 the three rebuilt units were actually allocated numbers 97 655 to 97 657 to follow on from the purpose built engineers shunters but this was changed to a different number range to distinguish them as conversions to locomotives rather than group them with an existing locomotive type i.e. the Ruston built class 97/6's (97 650 to 97 654)I know its an "odd ball" but BR considered it to be a locomotive hence the reason I have added it to Trainspo.
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http://11rvrnews.blogspot.com/2011/04/matisa-97701-by-helen-bre...html
Abovementioned site tells that it is a ex-Ballastcleaner power unit.
When first delivered to British Rail in 1975 the unit’s running number was DR 76105 (DB Number DB966017). It was converted to a depot shunter in 1986 at Kilmarnock and numbered 96601. However to avoid confusion with D of M & EE’s battery locomotives, it was numbered 97701. Its twin has been scrapped, making the Matisa at Robertsbridge unique in the UK.
Summarizing the data for adding to the DB:
United Kingdom , BR, Service unit (not officially a locomotive)
Built by Matisa, Switzerland in 1975
Converted by BR Kilmarnock in 1986
1435 mm gauge
BR later used 97 703 (97 603) at Dalmeny for Forth Bridge Works trains. If the ex ballast cleaner power unit was considered to be an on track machine it would have been allocated a DR or DX prefixed CEPS (Civil Engineers Plant System) number but as it was now seen as a locomotive in its own right it got a TOPS locomotive number. When conversion was authorised in 1985 the three rebuilt units were actually allocated numbers 97 655 to 97 657 to follow on from the purpose built engineers shunters but this was changed to a different number range to distinguish them as conversions to locomotives rather than group them with an existing locomotive type i.e. the Ruston built class 97/6's (97 650 to 97 654)I know its an "odd ball" but BR considered it to be a locomotive hence the reason I have added it to Trainspo.