Horwich Locomotive Works and its 18" Gauge Internal Railway System

[rogerfarnworth]

For a number of years in the 1920s and possibly also the 1930s my grandfather worked as a blacksmith in Horwich Loco Works. The works have always, as a result, had a specific interest for me. It has been somewhat saddening over the years to see their gradual deterioration and eventual closure.

 

In November 2019 I finished reading Issue No. 27 of the Railway Archive Journal published by Black Dwarf Lightmoor Press of Lydney, Gloucestershire.

 

I enjoyed reading Jeff Wells article in the journal about the Manchester Exhibition of 1887. [1] The article highlights a number of railway exhibits on display at the exhibition. Among these exhibits was 'Dot' a Beyer Peacock 1ft 6 inch gauge 0-4-0T engine. 'According to the official catalogue, Dot was 'specifically built for working on tramways in yards and workshops, and also adopted for tail-rope shunting of ordinary wagons'. After the exhibition, Dot found work at the L&YR's Horwich Works, joining two other Beyer, Peacock 18 in engines, Wren and Robin, which had arrived in April 1887. Such engines were considered necessary to convey materials around the seven miles of internal works' railway.'

 

http://rogerfarnworth.com/2019/11/30/horwich-loco-works-18-gauge-railway-part-1

 

Horwich Locomotive Works "was the last major British railway works to be established on a green field site.  There were traditionally very strong links between the Lancashire & Yorkshire and London & North Western railways, and John Ramsbottom, late of the LNWR was in 1883 appointed consultant to the LYR regarding the planning of Horwich Works.  He advocated an 18in gauge internal transport system similar to that he had earlier installed at Crewe. Originally extending to 7½ miles, this enjoyed a longer life as the last surviving locomotive built for it, 'Wren', was not retired until 1962. The system was used for moving components around the works."

[JeffP]

I'd love to find out more about this. 

I remember a pic of Wren in my 1960 Observers book, which stated that it was the last survivor of a class of nine???? and was to be found at Horwich works. "When not in use, there is a small diesel which deputises."

That still exists too.

 

The page also listed the names of the other locos, "Fly" being one I recall.

[pH]

6 hours ago, JeffP said:

I'd love to find out more about this. 

I remember a pic of Wren in my 1960 Observers book, which stated that it was the last survivor of a class of nine???? and was to be found at Horwich works. "When not in use, there is a small diesel which deputises."

That still exists too.

 

The page also listed the names of the other locos, "Fly" being one I recall.

 

From the 1958 edition of the Observer book:

 

There were originally eight of them: 'Wren', 'Dot', 'Robin', 'Fly', 'Wasp', 'Midget', 'Mouse' and 'Bee'.

[pH]

Do a Google image search for "Horwich works narrow gauge" and you'll get quite a few pictures of the narrow gauge engines (mostly "Wren", presumably as the last survivor). 

 

There was also a narrow gauge system in Crewe works, which I had forgotten about until that search turned up a couple of pictures of it.

Edited December 11, 2019 by pH

[AndyH]

Mark Smither’s book on 18” minimum gauge steam railways is excellent and well worth a read. Plus the book on Crewe Works Narrow Gauge System by Edward Talbot and Clive Taylor.

andy