Archive Issue 115

From: Irvine Harbour’s Railway and its Cranes A picture worth a thousand words. A present day health and safety inspectors nightmare. Whilst it is not directly a rail related photograph, albeit there is a very small section of wharf side track visible, it typifies the loading methods of the day and is worthy of inclusion. The load of bricks looks like it was delivered by lorry but I am sure the same handling ‘techniques’ were used when bricks were rail delivered. From a Health and Safety point of view where do you start? No hard hats or other protective gear, no secure working area but a great area for the kids to watch and ‘help’. All that and not to mention the wastage of bricks and the labour intensive method of loading the tubs. The crane in the middle of the photograph is thought to be the only remaining one in this area that was manufactured by the Morgan, Crane and Engineering Co., of Kilwinning. Little is presently known of this company, its works having been redeveloped many years ago. Interesting the nearby Scottish Maritime Museum have identified the historical importance of this crane and are presently restoring it. When working the crane, like the other rail mounted ones, it ran along the wharf side on its own ‘broad gauge’ track. Note. It is most likely the bricks were delivered from the Montgomery Brickworks located in the nearby village of Dreghorn.

From: Meaford A & B Power Stations Part Three: The Locomotives MEA. No. 2 on the 5th July 1970 with 21-ton capacity CEGB wagon No. 102. David Kitching