Traction Engine at The English Electric Co., Stafford

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Date:1945 - 1948 (c.)

Description:This Pickford's traction engine is King Carnival II and she is pictured towing a turbine generator stator frame out of Gate 6, at the English Electric’s Lichfield Road Works in Stafford. In the background is the Fabrication Bay often known as the ‘Tank Shop’, this was where armoured vehicles were manufactured during World War II, including the Covenanter, Centaur, Comet and Cromwell tanks. In later years large fabrications and transformer tanks were made there. The Stafford factory was renowned for its electrical products including generators, transformers and switchgear.

King Carnival II, a showman's road locomotive, registration number EF 4883, was built in 1932 by John Fowler & Co. in Leeds. Over the years she had several owners including Pickford's who sold her in 1948 and around 1968 she was restored and the showman's fittings returned.

Acknowledgement: Thank you to Mr Chris Coates for the above information on King Carnival II.

Siemens Brothers purchased the land in 1901 and built the factory and offices which were ready to start production in 1903. In 1918 Siemens merged with several companies, including Dick, Kerr and Co., to become The English Electric Co. Two years later in 1920, The English Electric Co bought the Stafford Works. The English Electric Co. merged with GEC (The General Electric Company) during 1968 and the Lichfield Road Site became part of GEC Power Engineering Ltd. On 22 March 1989 became part of GEC ALSTHOM, an Anglo French Joint Venture. On 22 June 1998 this in turn became part of ALSTOM with global HQ in Paris and on 2 November 2015 the Stafford Grid and Power Businesses became part of GE (General Electric, an American Company).


Timeline

The timeline shows resources around this location over a number of years.

1940s
Packing Dept., English Electric Co., Stafford
Packing Dept., English Electric Co., Stafford

Packing meters on the Lichfield Road (Main Works) site in Stafford. In the 1960s ...

1960s
English Electric Co., Stafford
English Electric Co., Stafford

Pictured are Craft, Technician and Student Apprentices receiving their practical ...

1980s
GEC, Lichfield Road, Stafford
GEC, Lichfield Road, Stafford

This image is taken from a GEC Turbine Generators Limited (Generator Division) Sales ...

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Creators: Mr Chris Coates - Contributor

Donor ref:BM-CC-007 (192/31985)

Source: Mr Bob Metcalfe

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