 Introduction
The diesel engine most popularly collected nowadays is undoubtedly the
one known to enthusiasts worldwide as the Lister CS. The number of available
examples obviously has a bearing on the popularity factor as it easy to locate
recently retired engines, or even complete lighting plants, in half decent
eminently restorable or working condition The venerable CS was well known for
its longevity, build quality and hard wearing characteristics, so much so that
for the last thirty years it has been the subject of a rigorous copying
campaign--- in fact in some third world countries the word ‘Lister’ has become
synonymous with any engine equipped with twin flywheels—rather like the American
term ‘Caterpillar’ to describe any crawler tractor. The most prolific copiers of
the CS can be found in
India
and
Pakistan
where
since the 1960s at least fifteen different CS look-alikes have
emerged. A Lister CS in good running order will provide its owner with many years
of trouble free use, and while new parts tend to be on the expensive side, there
is a surfeit of available breakers to cannibalise without suffering a guilt
complex at the thought of destroying our heritage!
This book is intended purely for the enjoyment of the CS owner/enthusiast
who wants to know a little more about this interesting range of engines,
identify the different types, and understand how to decipher their rough age by
general appearance---because to the uninitiated they all look the same! Most
importantly this book is intended specifically to cover the ‘slow speed’ range
of engines—the 3-1, 5-1 and 10-2, but in order to clarify the introduction of
each size in chronological order it is essential to bring the ‘high speed’ range
of engines into the equation. In view of this, Part One covers the introduction
of both high and low speed engines, while Part Two is devoted specifically to
the CS range of ‘slow speed’ engines which are probably of far greater interest
to the majority of readers. At this stage you would be quite justified in asking
why these engines have earned the title ‘CS’ and what is meant by a high and low
speed range? I hope the following pages answer these and other questions and
that the unique collection of drawings and photographs (many supplied from the
archives of Lister-Petter Ltd), selected to complement the text, are of great
help to both the newcomer as well as to the enthusiast and Listerphile of many
years experience.
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