Title
Photograph 6
Reference
FLET/3/6
Production date
1857 - 1921
Creator
- Fletcher, Jennings & Co, locomotive buildersBiographyBiography
Fletcher, Jennings & Co. was founded in 1857, when John Wilson Fletcher bought the Lowca works near Whitehaven, Cumbria for his son. Henry Allason Fletcher became Managing Partner, alongside Daniel Jennings and Edward Waugh. The works had been the site of a general engineering foundry from the mid 18th century and the owners Tulk & Ley, who took over the works in 1837, constructed some twenty locomotives from 1840.
Fletcher, Jennings produced steam locomotives as well as general engineering products. Several of the locomotives produced by Fletcher, Jennings have survived into preservation, including the 2’ 3” gauge 0-4-2 saddle tank No. 42 ‘Talyllyn’ built in 1864 and the 2’ 3” gauge 0-4-0 well tank No. 63 ‘Dolgoch’ from 1866; which both operate on the Talyllyn Railway.
The company was put up for auction in 1884 due to the ill health of Henry Fletcher and was sold for £12,000 with £2,000 payable in cash, 100 shares at £20 and 80 debentures of £100. As a result the company was taken over and started operation under the name Lowca Engineering in February 1884.
- Lowca Engineering Company Ltd.BiographyBiography
The Lowca Engineering Company Ltd. bought Fletcher, Jennings & Co., based at the Lowca Engine Works near Whitehaven, in February 1884. Fletcher, Jennings was put up for auction in 1884 due to the ill health of the managing partner, Henry Fletcher, and was sold for £12,000 with £2,000 payable in cash, 100 shares at £20 and 80 debentures of £100.
Locomotive production was continued using Fletcher, Jennings designs. The focus on narrow gauge locomotives continued in this period. Orders became increasingly scarce and only 3 locomotives were produced between 1902 -1905.
The company went into liquidation on several occasions and ceased trading on 12th December 1907. Lowca Engineering was bought by James Burns, Cecil Walton and Harry Bentley on 6th December 1907 for £30,000. They launched the New Lowca Engineering Co. Ltd. on 12th February 1908.
- New Lowca Engineering Co. Ltd.BiographyBiography
The New Lowca Engineering Co. Ltd. started operation on 12th February 1908 after the Lowca Engineering Co. Ltd was purchased by James Burns, Cecil Walton and Harry Bentley on 6th December 1907 for £30,000.
The company went into liquidation in 1911, although it continued to function for some time. In 1912 a large fire at Lowca Engine Works destroyed much of the company's assets.
Locomotive production ceased in 1921 and the company continued with spare parts, repairs and general engineering orders until it was finally wound up around 1926 or 1927.
Scope and Content
1 photograph depicting locomotive 'Will O'The Wisp'.
Extent
1 Photograph
Level of description
ITEM
Repository name
National Railway Museum, York