Horwich Works

File:Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway 0-4-0ST locomotive WREN.jpg

Horwich Works was built on {{convert|142|ha}} of land bought in April 1884 for £36,000. Rivington House, the first of several workshops was {{convert|106.7|m}} long by {{convert|16.8|m}} wide and opened in February 1887. The long brick built workshops had full-height arched windows and were separated by tram and rail tracks. Work to construct the three bay, {{convert|463.3|m}} long by {{convert|36|m}} wide, erecting shop began in March 1885. Inside were 20 overhead cranes.{{Citation|url=http://www.engineering-timelines.com/scripts/engineeringItem.asp?id=1101|title=Horwich Locomotive Works, LYR|publisher=Engineering Timelines|access-date=17 June 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307231311/http://www.engineering-timelines.com/scripts/engineeringItem.asp?id=1101|archive-date=7 March 2012|url-status=live}}

An {{convert|18|in|mm|adj=on}} gauge railway, with approximately {{convert|7.5|mi|km}} of track was built to carry materials around the works complex, modelled on a similar system at Crewe Works. Two small 0-4-0 tank locomotives were bought from Beyer, Peacock and Company in 1887 to haul stores trains around the site, and six more were acquired at intervals to 1901. The first of these was bought from Beyer Peacock, but the remainder were built at Horwich. From 1930 they were gradually withdrawn from service, the last, Wren (a Beyer Peacock engine), was withdrawn in 1961 and was originally renovated and placed on display in the Erecting Shop.{{cite magazine| title = Motive power miscellany : Midland Region Central Lines | magazine = Trains Illustrated | location = Hampton Court | publisher = Ian Allan | publication-date = July 1961 | volume = XIV | issue = 154 | page = 441 }} It is now preserved at the National Railway Museum.{{harvnb|Marshall|1970|p=215}}{{harvnb|Marshall|1972|pp=128–9}}

File:Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway 1008 National Railway Museum (1).jpg, the first locomotive built at Horwich (1889)]]

John Ramsbottom was hired from semi-retirement by the L&YR to advise on a new site for locomotive construction and repairs. Ramsbottom identified a greenfield site near Bolton as the most suitable, and oversaw construction of the works.

The first locomotive built by the LYR at Horwich, in 1889, was a 2-4-2 tank engine designed by John Aspinall.{{harvnb|Bulleid|1967|p=100}} This locomotive was L&YR 1008 and is now preserved at the National Railway Museum. By 1899 a further 677 locomotives had been built, and another 220 under Henry Hoy. Between 1891 and 1900, 230 0-6-0 tender engines designed by Barton Wright were rebuilt as 0-6-0ST saddle tanks, LYR Class F16.

In 1899, the Aspinall-designed 'Atlantic' 4-4-2 express passenger locomotive was introduced and forty had been completed by 1902. Horwich works produced its 1,000th engine in 1907, a four-cylinder compound 0-8-0.

{{More citations needed|section|date=August 2019}}

In 1923 when the railway became part of the London, Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS), its Chief Mechanical Engineer was George Hughes, and he became CME of the LMS. In 1926 he was responsible for the design of a 2-6-0 mixed traffic locomotive of unusual appearance, which became known as the "Horwich Crab." The class proved extremely successful, and 245 locomotives were built, 70 at Horwich, including the first 30 examples. The "Crabs" continued in service with British Railways' London Midland and Scottish regions until the last two survivors were withdrawn in early 1967.

Three of the four post-grouping railways had Chief Mechanical Engineers who had served at least part of their apprenticeship or early career at Horwich. These were George Hughes and Henry Fowler of the LMS, Richard Maunsell of the Southern, and Nigel Gresley of the London and North Eastern Railway. Aviator Alliott Verdon-Roe also went on from Horwich to found the Manchester-based Avro aeroplane company.

During World War II, the works built nearly 500 Cruiser, Centaur and Matilda tanks.

After nationalisation in 1948, locomotive construction at Horwich continued at a high level for ten years. During 1948 twenty LMS Ivatt Class 4 tender engines were completed, twenty-seven followed in 1949, with twenty-four in 1951, followed by a single locomotive in early 1952.

Between 1945 and 1950, 120 LMS Stanier Class 5 4-6-0 tender engines were built at Horwich by the LMS (53 locos) and British Railways (67 locos). The last BR Standard design steam engine to be built was outshopped in 1957.

BR continued to overhaul steam engines for several more years. The last steam locomotive (Stanier LMS 8F 2-8-0 48756) was despatched after overhaul on 4 May 1964.{{harvnb|Marshall|1964|p=600}} In October 1969 it became part of British Rail Engineering Limited (BREL). Horwich continued in use as a works for other rolling stock up until it closed in December 1983. The foundry and the spring shop continued in use after this date, although the work force was reduced from 1,400 to 300.

In an effort to publicise the redevelopment of the site into small industrial units on 20 June 1985 locomotive 47491 was named Horwich Enterprise by Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport David Mitchell at Horwich Works.{{harvnb|Slater|1985|p=430}} The site was sold by BREL to the Parkfield Group in 1988 and the rail connection to the works was removed in 1989. The site is now an industrial estate, appropriately named "Horwich Loco Industrial Estate", with most of the buildings still in use.

Horwich railway station in the town centre, primarily used by employees at the works, was opened in 1887. It closed in 1965 with the last passenger train departing on 27 September 1965, hauled by 2-6-4T number 42626.[http://www.horwichstation.org.uk/history Horwich Station - History] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305114942/http://www.horwichstation.org.uk/history |date=5 March 2012 }}. Retrieved 8 June 2010.

{{gallery

|title = Locomotives built and modified, 1889-1957

|File:LYR Aspinall 0-6-0ST No. 752 Rainhill 1980.jpg|LYR Aspinall 0-6-0ST No. 752, rebuilt from a Barton Wright 0-6-0 tender loco at Horwich (at Rocket 150, 1980)

|File:LMS Caprotti Class 5 M4751.jpg|LMS Stanier Class 5 4-6-0 M4751 with Caprotti gear at Manchester, 14 days after completion at Horwich (1948).

|File:LMS Ivatt 4MT 2-6-0 M3009.jpg|LMS Ivatt 4MT 2-6-0 M3009 (later 43009) with double chimney, shortly after completion at Horwich (1948)

}}

The locomotive works site was designated a conservation area by Bolton Council in 2006.{{citation| url = http://www.bolton.gov.uk/sites/DocumentCentre/Documents/HORWICH%20LOCO%20DOC%20FOR%20WEB%20amended.pdf| title = Horwich Locomotive Works Horwich, Bolton - Conservation Area Management Plan| publisher = Bolton Council| work = www.bolton.gov.uk| access-date = 19 August 2012| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120829084832/http://www.bolton.gov.uk/sites/DocumentCentre/Documents/HORWICH%20LOCO%20DOC%20FOR%20WEB%20amended.pdf| archive-date = 29 August 2012| url-status = dead}} The site was proposed for mixed-use development in 2010 to include {{convert|15|to|20|ha}} of land for employment and up to 1,600 houses within a timescale extending from 2013 to 2026.{{citation|url=http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/4860120.Historic_Loco_Works_may_become_housing_estate/|title=Historic Loco Works may become housing estate|work=The Bolton News|date=20 January 2010|publisher=Newsquest Media Group|access-date=8 June 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402051931/http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/4860120.Historic_Loco_Works_may_become_housing_estate/|archive-date=2 April 2012|url-status=live}}{{citation| chapter-url = http://www.bolton.gov.uk/sites/DocumentCentre/Documents/Boltons%20Core%20Strategy%20Publication%20Jan%202010.pdf| title = Local Development Framework - Bolton's Core Strategy Publication Document January 2010| publisher = Bolton Council| chapter= 5. The M61 Corridor - Horwich Loco Works| page=70}} The proposal was adopted as council strategy in 2011, and supplementary planning guidance was released in 2012 designating part of the site for preservation.{{citation| url = http://www.bolton.gov.uk/website/Pages/SPDHorwichLocoWorks.aspx| title = SPD - Horwich Loco Works| publisher = Bolton Council| work = www.bolton.gov.uk| access-date = 28 September 2012| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120430055914/http://www.bolton.gov.uk/website/Pages/SPDHorwichLocoWorks.aspx| archive-date = 30 April 2012| url-status = dead}}

An initial planning application was approved by Bolton Council in 2016.The Bolton News, http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/bolton/15430265.REVEALED__Plans_for_the_first_112_homes_at_Horwich_Loco_Works_development/ {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201031538/http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/bolton/15430265.REVEALED__Plans_for_the_first_112_homes_at_Horwich_Loco_Works_development/ |date=1 December 2017 }} Work began in 2018.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/horwich/16091631.horwich-loco-works-land-decontamination-and-demolition-work-begins/|title=Horwich Loco Works: Land decontamination and demolition work begins | The Bolton News}}

Asbestos used to insulate steam engines and railway carriages linked to mesothelioma has been a legacy affecting former workers and their families with Asbestos dust also being carried in clothing. The redevelopment of the site required it to be cleared of contaminants before building commenced.{{cite web |last1=Abbit |first1=Beth |title=When Vivienne Swain washed her husband's overalls she never could have imagined fatal consequences |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/vivienne-swain-washed-husbands-overalls-14877544 |website=Manchester Evening News |access-date=11 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180708182107/https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/vivienne-swain-washed-husbands-overalls-14877544 |archive-date=8 July 2018 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=McIntyre |first1=Alex |title=Developer reveals decontamination of first phase at Horwich Loco Works |url=https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/16166554.developer-reveals-decontamination-of-first-phase-at-horwich-loco-works/ |website=Bolton News |publisher=Bolton News |access-date=11 September 2019}} Part of the site is planned for demolition for the creation of a link road in 2019, linking the Middlebrook Retail Park, M61 and Horwich Parkway railway station.{{cite web |last1=Timan |first1=Joseph |title=Historic Bolton train yard to be demolished for new link road |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/local-news/historic-bolton-train-yard-demolished-16839805 |website=Bolton News |publisher=Bolton News |access-date=11 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190914024848/https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/local-news/historic-bolton-train-yard-demolished-16839805 |archive-date=14 September 2019 |url-status=live }}

{{Reflist}}

{{refbegin}}

• {{Cite journal | last1 = Aspinall | first1 = J. A. F. |author-link =John Aspinall (engineer)| title = The Horwich Locomotive Works of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway. (Including Plate at Back of Volume) | doi = 10.1680/imotp.1897.19366 | journal = Minutes of the Proceedings | volume = 129 | issue = 1897| pages = 309–316 | year = 1897 |url = https://archive.org/stream/pt3minutesofproce129inst#page/308/mode/2up}}
• {{cite book|last=Bulleid|first=H.A.V.|title=The Aspinall Era|date=1967|publisher=Ian Allan Ltd}}
• {{citation| last= Larkin|first= E.J.| last2= Larkin|first2= J.G.| year=1988| title = The Railway Workshops of Great Britain 1823–1986|publisher= Macmillan Press}}
• {{citation |last=Marshall |first=John |author-link=John Marshall (railway historian) |title=The Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway, volume 2 |year=1970 |publisher=David & Charles |location=Newton Abbot |isbn=0-7153-4906-6 }}
• {{citation |last=Marshall |first=John |author-link=John Marshall (railway historian) |title=The Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway, volume 3 |year=1972 |publisher=David & Charles |location=Newton Abbot |isbn=0-7153-5320-9 }}
• {{citation| last = Rowledge| first= J.W.P.| year =1975| title = Engines of the LMS built 1923–1951| publisher = Oxford Publishing Co.| isbn= 0-902888-59-5}}
• {{citation| last = Simmons| first = J.| year =1986| title = The Railway in Town and Country| publisher = David and Charles}}
• {{citation |editor-first=John |editor-last=Slater |date=September 1985 |title=News & Notes: Horwich Enterprise |magazine=Railway Magazine |volume=131 |issue=1013 |publisher=Transport Press |location=Sutton |issn=0033-8923 }}
• {{Citation |magazine=Railway Magazine |date=July 1964 |last=Marshall |first=John |author-link=John Marshall (railway historian) |editor-last=Cooke |editor-first=B.W.C. |location=Westminster |publisher=Tothill Press |volume=110 |issue=759|title=Notes and wews}}

{{refend}}

{{refbegin}}

• {{citation| url =http://www.nrm.org.uk/~/media/Files/NRM/PDF/archiveslists2012/railwaycompanyworks/Introduction%20to%20Horwich%20Works%20drawing%20list.pdf| title = Records of Horwich Locomotive Works, Bolton, Lancashire| publisher = National Railway Museum| year =2003}}
• {{citation| title = Horwich Locomotive Works| first = M.D.| last = Smith| publisher = Wyre Publishing, Lancashire|year = 1996|isbn= 0-9526187-2-9}}
• Works visits :
• {{Cite journal | doi = 10.1243/PIME_PROC_1891_042_025_02| title = Excursions and notices of works visited [Institution of Mechanical Engineers' summer meeting in Liverpool]| journal = Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers | volume = 42| pages = 428| year = 1891| url=http://www.gracesguide.co.uk/1891_Institution_of_Mechanical_Engineers:_Visits_to_Works}} Pages 456–7
• {{Cite journal | doi = 10.1243/PIME_PROC_1894_047_011_02| title = Excursions and notices of works visited [Institution of Mechanical Engineers' summer meeting in Manchester]| journal = Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers| volume = 47| pages = 402| year = 1894| url =http://www.gracesguide.co.uk/1894_Institution_of_Mechanical_Engineers:_Visits_to_Works}} Pages 456–8
• {{Cite journal | doi = 10.1243/PIME_PROC_1909_077_012_02| title = Excursions and notices of works visited [Institution of Mechanical Engineers' summer meeting in Liverpool]| journal = Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers | volume = 77| pages = 803| year = 1909| url=http://www.gracesguide.co.uk/1909_Institution_of_Mechanical_Engineers:_Visits_to_Works}} Pages 884–891
• {{citation|journal = The Engineer|date = 13 Aug 1909|pages = 169–170|url = http://www.gracesguide.co.uk/images/e/eb/Er19090813.pdf|title = Horwich Locomotive Works|access-date = 24 April 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140424094659/http://www.gracesguide.co.uk/images/e/eb/Er19090813.pdf|archive-date = 24 April 2014|url-status = dead}}
• {{Cite journal | doi = 10.1243/PIME_PROC_1929_117_009_01| title = Excursions and notices of works visited [Institution of Mechanical Engineers' summer meeting in Manchester]| journal = Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers | volume = 117| pages = 685| year = 1929| url=http://www.gracesguide.co.uk/1929_Institution_of_Mechanical_Engineers:_Visits_to_Works}} Pages 754–5
• {{citation|journal = The Engineer|date = 30 Aug 1907|at = pp. 209–212, p.214 (plate)|title = Recent Locomotives of the L. & Y. Railway|url = http://www.gracesguide.co.uk/images/7/7c/Er19070830b.pdf|access-date = 24 April 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140424092752/http://www.gracesguide.co.uk/images/7/7c/Er19070830b.pdf|archive-date = 24 April 2014|url-status = dead}}
• {{citation|journal = The Engineer|title = The training of Engineering apprentices: V. The Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Works|date = 13 Mar 1908|pages = 264–265|url = http://www.gracesguide.co.uk/images/b/b6/Er19080313a.pdf|access-date = 24 April 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140424094713/http://www.gracesguide.co.uk/images/b/b6/Er19080313a.pdf|archive-date = 24 April 2014|url-status = dead}}
• {{citation|journal = The Engineer| title = Locomotives designed and built at Horwich, with some results| first = George| last = Hughes|author-link =George Hughes (engineer)}} : [https://web.archive.org/web/20140424095322/http://www.gracesguide.co.uk/images/2/22/Er19090730.pdf 30 July 1909. pp. 119–122] ; [https://web.archive.org/web/20140424093542/http://www.gracesguide.co.uk/images/f/fb/Er19090806.pdf 6 Aug. 1909. pp. 147–150 , p.140, 146 (plates)]
• {{Cite journal | doi = 10.1243/PIME_PROC_1980_194_006_02| title = Modernization of horwich foundry| journal = Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers| volume = 194| issue = 1980| pages = 39–46| year = 1980| last1 = James | first1 = G. M. }}

{{refend}}

{{commons category|Horwich Works}}

• {{citation| url =http://www.nrm.org.uk/ourcollection/photogallery?group=Horwich| title =Horwich photos| publisher = National Railway Museum}}
• {{citation| url=http://www.warmemorials.org/search-grants/?gID=763| title = Horwich Locomotive Works| work = www.warmemorials.org}}

{{Buildings and structures in Bolton}}

Category:Railway workshops in Great Britain

Category:Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway

Category:18 in gauge railways in England

Category:1886 establishments in England

Category:1983 disestablishments in England

Category:Horwich