LMS Route: Birmingham New Street to Nuneaton
LMS Route: Birmingham New Street to Tamworth

Lawley Street Goods Depot: mrls425d

Close up of image 'mrls425' showing one of the Midland Railway's articulated extendable horse-drawn vehicles designed to move long and heavy loads. The railway companies had to provide vehicles that could handle loads that were not conveniently packed in boxes or be accommodated in the confines of a wagon. Timber and steel are two such examples and in the view above the horse is hitched to a wagon that was extendable by the simple process of sliding the rear axle along the centre beam. The beam has holes at regular centres and the rear axle could be adjusted by being moved to the appropriate to hole and re-bolted. The timber balks would be placed on to the wagon by crane, fixed with ropes or chains and if too long would project beyond the rear of the axle.

back