Meadowbank Railway Bridge: Stockton should be proud!

Near my home in Meadowbank, New South Wales, there’s a magnificent old iron bridge that I often ride over on my bike and paddle under in my kayak. Originally a railway bridge, it was prefabricated in England and shipped here in 1886. Each pylon is inscribed with “Stockton Forge Company Makers, Stockton-on-Tees”.

Although the bridge no longer carries the railway it is a much loved pedestrian and cycle path across the Parramatta River and stands strong despite nearly 140 years in salt water.

I often think of the tremendous skill and hard work it took to make something like this, often for meagre wages and in harsh and dangerous conditions, and the sad loss of decline of heavy manufacturing in both Australia and the UK.

I think we should be very proud of this heritage, and you may want to let the people in your community know about it!

Photographs and details courtesy of Ian Elliott, Australia.

Adverts for Anderston Foundries – Port Clarence, 1960

Anderston Foundries occupied a massive site next to the railway track in Port Clarence on the north/east side of the Transporter Bridge. These two adverts were in the railways section of an old Engineering Handbook. They show that the foundry produced a good range of rail track equipment, including crossings and points.

Not surprisingly, the overseas market is highlighted in the main advert. In this country, with the introduction of welded track and reinforced concrete sleepers, the steel sleeper, rail chair and fishplate market was disappearing. Nevertheless, the Anderston Foundry were doing the right thing in having an office in Victoria Street, London. No distance from Westminster Abbey.

Images courtesy of Fred Starr.

Hartburn Junction c1979

These photographs show a pair of Class 37 locomotives crossing Hartburn junction with a northbound iron ore train and a Class 40 locomotive approaching the junction in the opposite direction on it’s way to Thornaby depot. Both photo’s show the outline of Head Wrightson’s steelworks beyond Hartburn Lane bridge, the site is now a housing estate.

Photographs and details courtesy of MF Wilson.

Vintage car, Dovecot Street

I believe this image was taken in Dovecot Street as the car seems to be parked outside the Lit & Phil building with the Alma Hotel next door. I have dated this to the 1960s because of the clothing worn by the onlookers; trousers with turnups and head scarves were still to be seen in the 1960s. I know nothing about the car, it was most likely from 1920s at the latest, though possibly a decade or more earlier. I don’t know if it is the angle of view but the steering wheel looks to be in the middle of the car. Any ideas anybody?

Photograph and details courtesy of Bruce Coleman.

E Maule Coachbuilder and Autobody Builder

I recently came across an old advert for a Stockton coach-buidiing business called “E Maule & Sons”, who are known to have built bodies on chassis provided by Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Vauxhall, Crossley, Bugatti, SAVA, Minerva and Dodge. The company was in business for over 100 years, with roots in building horse drawn carriages/coaches at Alnwick.

The E Maule & Sons works are shown as being at 22 Skinner Street in 1890 and 1914 trade directories, (which may have been opposite the junction with Albion Street). The 1881 census shows Edwin, his wife Mary and 6 children (and 1 servant) living in Stockton. In 1890 Edwin Davison Maule is listed as living just around the corner from his works at 13 Hartington Road.

The images show two examples of their work. For those interested, you can read a newsletter article on the Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts Club website.

Images and details courtesy of Jonathan May.