R. and A. Main
of Gothic Works, Falkirk; Gothic Works, Edmonton, London, N18; Gothic Works, Birmingham
1870s Originated in Glasgow as the Argyle Ironmonger Co, which made cooking appliances. Robert B. Main and Matthew Waddell then formed the firm of Waddell and Main.
1884 The partnership of Waddell and Main ended. R. B. Main went into partnership with his brother, A. P. Main to form the firm R. and A. Main.
1897 R. and A. Main Ltd was incorporated to acquire the business of R. and A. Main.
In/after 1897 T. Glover and Co, manufacturer of gas meters at the Gothic Works, amalgamated with R. and A. Main gas stove makers to form Glover and Main but the 2 constituent companies continued to operate under their own names.
1899 Glover and Main established the works at Edmonton.
1900 Glover and Main established the Gothic works at Camelon, Falkirk.
The factory was served by a modest siding just south of Angel Road station, on the Liverpool Street to Cambridge line of the former Great Eastern Railway.
1910 Gas fires and appliances[1]
1937 Listed Exhibitor - British Industries Fair. Mainstat Automatically Controlled Gas Cooking Appliances for domestic and hotel use. Panel and "Built-in" Gas Fires. Wall and Floor Radiators and Heaters. Instantaneous and Storage Water Heaters and Circulators. (Stand Nos. Ca.605 and Ca.504).[2]
By 1960 Main Water Heaters Ltd, of Croydon, was a subsidiary (see advert)
1963 ... ensure employment in Falkirk. R. & A. Main, best known perhaps as manufacturers of quality appliances for the catering trade, are another of the strong props of the town's (Falkirk's) economy. Originally a Glasgow firm, Main now occupy ...[3]
1964 The Camelon works were closed.
1965 Glover and Main was taken over by Thorn Electrical Industries which wanted to expand into the gas business[4].
1967 R. & A. Main, whose ... factory in South Carbrain manufactures and distributes gas cookers and heating appliances, is to be joined by Tricity Cookers as from 1st April. [5]
The history of use of locomotives by R. and A. Main has two strange features.
Horse traction was superseded, not by steam, but by an internal combustion locomotive; and this form of motive power alone was used for more than half a century.
As far as is known, the horse was the only one of Main's power units to have a name – "Bob". The first two locomotives were designed and built by Thomas Glover and Co. The Drewry and the Ruston locomotives were purchased new by R. and A. Main[6].
See Also
Sources of Information
- [3] Falkirk Council Cultural Services Archives