Armstrong Whitworth: 1922 Visit to Works
Note: This is a sub-section of Armstrong Whitworth
1922 Visit to the works at Scotswood by the Institution of Locomotive Engineers
The situation of the Scotswood Locomotive Works, to- which a visit was made by the Leeds Centre of the Institution on i2th September, 1921 (See JOURNAL Vol. XL, No. 51, page 602), is perhaps unsurpassed by any other works of its kind in the country. Standing at the extreme west end of the city of Newcastle-on-Tyne, it is most admirably situated for manufacturing purposes, while for transport it occupies a unique position.
Sandwiched between the North-Eastern Railway on. the north and the River Tyne on the south, it is enabled to- employ with the utmost ease either water or rail for the despatch of locomotives. In addition to the above advantages, it is also favourably situated close to the coal and iron fields and is therefore relieved from the heavy railway charges which a longer distance entails, by a frequent and cheap train service, while stations at the extreme ends render the works accessible from all parts.
The works itself is of modern design and especially for the manufacture of locomotives, has been spared to equip the various departments with the most up-to-date and efficient machinery, while every care has been exercised to man the works with reliable and competent workmen. For the manufacture of locomotives it may at once be said that its capacity is of the most admirable character, while the most generous provision has been made for its future expansion.
The departments are so arranged that the various parts of the locomotive, having found their birth in the machine department, are gradually developed until they are finally assembled in the erecting shop. The smoothness which characterises the progress of the work is one of the pleasing features of this modern engineering organisation.
The works cover an area of 35 acres. On the south: side, as has been said, it runs parallel with the river, having a frontage of about 5,000ft., while on bounded by the North-Eastern Railway.
The various departments may follows :—
The Production Office.—This is a designed for the purpose of controlling the progress of the work, and by a more highly organised form of rate assessment the management is enabled to conduct the business of the firm with greater assurance against incomplete and precarious contracts. It is served by a competent staff of engineers, etc., whose policy is to secure the best results with the most judicious economy.
Machine Shop.— This shop, which is admired by all who have seen it, occupies an area of 16,988 sq. yds. Its length is 926ft. by 165ft. wide. It consists of four spacious bays under one roof, which are so arranged that each is self- contained and independent. Each bay is equipped with electric overhead cranes, which are arranged to suit the work transacted in the respective bays. It is liberally equipped with the most modern forms of machinery, and many well-known makers are represented in this department. There are upwards of 410 machines of every conceivable variety, and are so arranged that ample room is retained for the transport of work and the passage of people. Mention may be made of the wheel lathe made at the Armstrong-Whitworth Works at Openshaw, cylinder-boring machines and most efficient quartering machines.
The Tool and Jig Room, adjacent to the machine shop, standing upon an area of 4,333 sq. yds., is equipped with 75 machines, and here everything is appointed for the speedy and efficient production of tools, jigs, gauges, etc. This department supplies the whole of the works with whatever is required in the form of tools, gauges, etc. ; specially selected workmen are employed for this class of work.
Frame Shop.—One of the best examples of a modern workshop, occupying an area of 3,200 sq. yds. It is in this department that the frames of the locomotives are prepared for the erecting and tender shops. It is interesting to observe the division between the machine section and where the frames standing in long rows are being fitted. This department is admirably adapted for the quick prepara¬tion of frames. It is equipped with upwards of 32 machines, including three triple-headed slotting machines, one having- been made by Openshaw and the other two by the Niles—Bement Pond Co. These machines are capable of slotting 24 locomotive frames at one time.
Tender Shop.—Situated a little to the west of the frame shop and occupying an area of 6,649 sq. yds. It is separated into three distinct bays, which are covered by one roof, while a number of archways on the north side of the shop are used for storing material. Each bay is occupied by its special work: (i) that of machining and fitting; (2) straightening and forming the plate; (3) that of the hydraulic press, punching and shearing machines; while the west end of the shop is occupied in assembling the tenders. In this part of the shop the testing of the tenders is done. This shop is also liberally supplied with machinery, there being upwards of 65 machines.
The Erectiing Shop is most admirably adapted for the erection of locomotives, occupying an area of 7,452 sq. yds., and is divided into two large bays under one roof. Each bay is supplied with two 75-ton cranes on the lower span, and from 3 to 20-ton cranes on the upper span. The outer erecting pits have sufficient accommodation for the erection of 48 of the largest type of locomotive, while the centre pits have a five gauge rail line. It is equipped with suitable machinery and possesses a weighing machine by Avery capable of recording the weight upon each axle.
It may be remarked in passing that each department is supplied with a heating apparatus so that the temperature of the shops may be constant during winter and summer.
Paint Shop.—A very admirably designed department Tor the painting of locomotives and occupying 4,518 sq. yds., and divided into four bays under one roof, and most favour-ably situated for the painting and re-painting of locomotives. Upwards of 34 locomotives with their tenders can be housed at the same time in this shop.
Coppersmiths’ Shop.—This shop occupies an area of 1,180 sq. yds. It is well adapted for all forms of copper work, and can be easily extended if the trade warrants it. It is covered by one span, is well lighted, and is equipped with the most modern methods of copper tube manufacture.
Boiler Department.—This department is situated at the east end of Elswick Works, and is of very recent construction. It is a very large and commodious shop, consisting of three bays under one roof, and occupying upwards of 44,000 sq. yds. The various processes are sharply divided so that each bay, being self-contained, is specially organised for its particular work, thus rendering manufacture of locomotives as efficient as possible. It is admirably adapted for transport purposes, there being good roadways leading to the works, and an excellent riverside, including a well-constructed jetty, where ships of the largest capacity can be berthed, and where a crane capable of lifting upwards of 140 tons can be employed. It would be difficult to mention any other works engaged in a similar undertaking which is so well situated as this department is for transport purposes. It is furnished with upwards of 200 machines, including three massive pillar drilling machines, two large riveting machines and two very powerful rolling machines. There is also a large press of a very superior type employed in the formation of the various designs of fireboxes, etc., and the manner in which the process is conducted is admired by all who have been privileged to witness it.
In the smithy section of the department, there are two-very powerful presses used for various purposes as flanging domes, etc., whilst the heating furnace is constructed on the most modern design. In conveying the plates into the furnace, a travelling cradle is employed, controlled by electricity, having two long bars upon which the plates are placed, which are then thrust into the furnace. The bars are then lowered into specially prepared channels in the furnace bottom, and then withdrawn leaving the plates to be heated. The plates when heated to the required temperature are withdrawn by the bar, re-entering the furnace along the channels, and being raised, lifts the plates to the press, thus avoiding the very strenuous and sometimes dangerous method of the past. It Is a well-lighted department containing 18 cranes of various capacities, and capable of quick transit. There is attached to the main department a gallery, in which there are several machines engaged in the production of copper stays, etc., all of which are of the most recent design. The pneumatic tools which are employed for riveting, drilling, caulking, etc., are the firm’s own design and manufacture, and there being an ample supply, no effort is spared to render the production of boilers as abundant as possible. So well equipped and organised is this department, that it is capable of producing upwards of 500 boilers annually.
Smithy and Forge.—Situated at Elswick It represents the most modern feature of an up-to-date smithy. The total floor area is upwards of 17,100 sq. yds., which is divided as follows :—
- 9,300 are occupied by the drop stamping shops
- 5,200 are occupied by the smith and forge shops
- 2,200 are occupied by the die sinking shops
- 400 are occupied by the heat treatment shops
The equipment of friction drop stamps of from 3cwts. to 10 tons falling weight; 8 steam drop stamps of from 3cwts. to 20cwts. falling weight; 16 steam blocking off hammers of from 5 to 25cwts. ; 4 Bradley swaging hammers (200 and 300lbs.); 14 electric trimming presses; 1 Ajax forging machine (capacity up to 3.25 dia. bar); 2 bolt machines; 1 electric butt welder; 1 20cwt. pneumatic hammer.
Output, eighty tons per week ranging in weight from stampings of less than one ounce to those weighing 10 cwts., with a maximum size of 36in. diameter or 5ft. long.
Die sinking shop equipment consists of 45 machines, lathes, radial drills, planing machines, vertical and horizontal milling machines, slotting machines, engraving machines, the above having been supplied by the foremost makers of machine tools. Many of the machines are specially adapted to facilitate the rapid and economical production of stamping dies.
Output, 25/30 pairs of stamping dies complete with trimming tools per week.
Forge contains 7 steam hammers of from i5cwts. to 4 tons.
Smithy has 18 steam hammers, 5cwts.tO' 2ocwts., and 87 smiths’ fires. It also contains 10 hydraulic presses ranging from 5 tons to 2,000 tons with suitable furnaces attached. In addition to the above there are three sets of rolls capable of dealing with steel plates 18ft. by 10ft. by 1in., and vertical rolls for angle bars and flats.
Output from forge and smiths’ sections, 80 tons per week of forgings up to 2.5 tons weight each.
Forge and Smithy, Scotswood.— These are comprised of five bays, three of which are for smiths’ work, one for machine tools, and one for drop stamping.
The equipment includes :— 4 5cwt. hammers and 4 10cwt. hammers (compressed air driven); 1 5cwt. hammer (Bradley, belt driven); 2 40cwt. drop stamps and 2 20cwt. drop stamps (compressed air driven) ; 1 15cwt. drop stamp and 2 10cwt. drop stamps (friction driven).
There are also three trimming machines for drop stamp work, and three oil-fired furnaces served by electric overhead cranes.
Air pressure for hammers is supplied by two Armstrongs and Main Air Compressors, one of 2,000 cub. ft. per in. capacity, and one of 1,000 cub. ft. per in. capacity.
Summary.—The present annual output is upwards of 360 main line engines, but this number can easily be increased to 460 annually
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