- Wilson's lorries
- PS Waverley not to be rebuilt just yet
- Woolwich Arsenal and railways
- Deptford Gas Works
- Pharos Marine and other news from Brentford
- The Lett's Wharf Dust Destructor
- A Guernsey coincidence
- The Nostalgia Piece
- Pedestrian Subways
- What is industrial archaeology?
- Letters
- 181news.pdf
GLIAS member Chris Salaman kindly sent a photocopy of an advert for Wilson's Lorries (GLIAS Newsletter February 1999) from a 1945 Meccano Magazine and yes, they were 4mm scale. There is an illustration of a P'6 kit which cost four shillings and tenpence halfpenny (petrol tank 4d extra). Diecast radiators cost 4d each. An illustrated catalogue could be obtained for a shilling.
Then Wilson's were at number one, Great Winchester Street, EC2. According to Mr Salaman they later moved to Bermondsey. Bob Carr
PS Waverley not to be rebuilt just yet
News from Scotland is that the planned rebuilding of the Paddle Steamer Waverley (GLIAS Newsletter December 1997) will now take place from the end of October 1999. This means that if the ship visits the Thames as intended in early October this year she will still be her old self and you will have another last chance of a sail in her before modernisation.
Apparently the delay is due to a change in European legislation regarding passenger vessels. Provisionally Balmoral is to be on the Thames in June but the programme is not yet finalised. Bob Carr
Write to Waverley Excursions Ltd, Waverley Terminal, Anderston Quay, Glasgow G3 8HA, enclosing an A5 size stamped addressed envelope for the full sailing programme which will be sent when ready. The telephone number is 0141 221 8152
The mention of refurbishing locomotives at Woolwich Arsenal after the war by Bob Carr (GLIAS newsletter 180) reminds me of their involvement after the previous conflict. It was proposed to construct locomotives to standard designs of 2-6-0 and 2-8-0 wheel arrangements. This came to naught, but in 1919 the Ministry of Munitions initially placed orders for 50 of each. However, with an excess of large freight locos on their books, the Ministry opted for the small locomotives. Since no standard design had been agreed, drawings for the SE & CR 'N' class 2-6-0 designed bv R E L Maunsell were used. The Arsenal was not best suited to build locomotives, and the construction ended up largely as kits of parts. The price for these offered to railway companies was such that there were no takers. Faced with large quantities of surplus material the Government sought assistance from private enterprise, and the loco kits were sold off by George Cohen and Armstrong Disposals Corporation Ltd. 27 sets went to Ireland, and six sets were purchased by the Metropolitan Railway and completed as 2-6-4 tank locomotives used for goods traffic. 50 sets were purchased by the Southern Railway and completed as 'N' class locomotives. These operated over much of the Southern system for many years, and because of their origin were often referred to by enginemen as 'Woolworth's' The full story of these locomotives' construction at Woolwich is to be found on p87 to 90 of the Locomotive History of the South Eastern & Chatham Railway by D L Bradley, published by the RC&TS, revised 1980. Brian Sturt
(GLIAS Newsletter February 1999)
Pharos Marine and other news from Brentford
(GLIAS Newsletter February 1999)
The Lett's Wharf Dust Destructor
(GLIAS Newsletter February 1999)
(GLIAS Newsletter February 1999)
(GLIAS Newsletter February 1999)
(GLIAS Newsletter February 1999)
What is industrial archaeology?
What is industrial archaeology? One definition is the study of artefacts since c1600, ie the archaeology of the industrial period, while another is simply the archaeological study of the development of industrial processes. The second definition will take us back well into pre-history. In practice we have a kind of duality.
It has been pointed out that if industrial archaeology is to be the archaeology of the industrial period it is presently incomplete. For instance we do not investigate Victorian ecclesiastical structures. However chapels are included and generally it seems most industrial-period artefacts are being covered so long as they relate to working people. Is it only socially up-market buildings that are being excluded?
Judging by a recent photograph by John Powell in Industrial Archaeology News (a good example of the adage 'a photograph is worth a thousand words' — see issue 107 page 7) the practice of our subject is becoming the preserve of young women. Retired engineers are getting thin on the ground. Future developments are likely to be intriguing. Bob Carr
(GLIAS Newsletter February 1999)
