Brighton Works: 1912 Visit to the Works
Note: This is a sub-section of the Brighton Works
Visit to the Locomotive Works and Running Shed of the L, B & S C Rly at Brighton by the Institution of Locomotive Engineers
It was about the year 1847 that Mr. Craven built the first works here, on what was then looked upon as a temporary site.
About 1870 Mr. Stroudley built the erecting shop and carriage shop on ground till then occupied by the running shed, and converted the paint and carriage shops into the running shed, which is still in use.
Mr. Billington (from 1890) enlarged the machine built the carriage underframe shop and extended the shop over the goods line.
Mr. Marsh (1905) practically rebuilt the works, introducing electric power throughout. The current is from the Brighton Corporation by mains, of four inches section, leading direct from the North Road substation, a distance of about 1,000 yards. The lighting throughout is by high pressure incandescent gas, with electric ignition and control.
The boiler shop (520 ft. by 125 ft.) contains three bays with i2-ton and 20-ton overhead cranes. The transverse bay at the South end, in which are situated the hydraulic riveters and vertical rolls, is served by a 15-ton crane on rails 41 feet above floor level. The hydraulic mains carry a pressure of 1,500 lbs. per square inch. The pneumatic system is supplied by two compressors, each driven by a 70 h.p. motor.
The boiler shop stores (200 ft. by 27 ft.) has a 5-ton overhead crane, controlled from floor level.
The erecting shop, in two bays, measures about 590 feet by 97 feet, the aggregate length of pit roads being about 2,300 feet. There are two 35-ton cranes in each bay.
The general machine shop (207 ft. by 140 ft.) adjoins the erecting shop. The system of main shaft driving has been retained, 30 h.p. motors driving each line.
The tool room (60 ft. by 20 ft.), attached to the machine shop, is fitted with gas furnaces and special tool grinding machinery. The down-draught system is in use in the smithy and forge (210 ft. by 140 ft.), the steam and exhaust pipes for the hammers also being carried underground. The blast is supplied by a Sturtevant fan driven by 30 h.p. motor and the draught in the flues is maintained by a Sirocco fan with 70 h.p. motor.
The pattern shop and store is situated in a gallery over the wheel turnery. Independent motor driving Is adopted for the large wheel lathes, the smaller being grouped. In the gallery above the frame shop, which has a lo-ton overhead crane controlled from floor level, similar to that in the wheel shop, is the millwrights’ department.
The iron foundry, measuring 150 feet by 65 feet, has two cupolas.
The running shed (old part) contains fourteen roads, each 150 feet long, and the new section has three roads 480 feet in length.
The water supply is furnished by a well, 176 feet deep, situated within the works. Two treble-barrel pumps, driven by a 70 h.p. motor, raise the water to the main tank of 177,000 gallons capacity, at an elevation of 40 feet above rail level.
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Sources of Information