I recently came across a photograph I took in January 2014 that sparked my curiosity. It's a close-up of a plaque on a building at 125 Northwood Street, Birmingham, a site I was visiting to deal with an engineering company called AE Harris & Company. The plaques were fascinating, and they led me down a rabbit hole of local industrial history.
The Birmingham Railway Carriage and Wagon Company
The top plaque, a large cast-iron oval, boldly declares "THE BIRMINGHAM RY CARRIAGE & WAGON Co LIMITED OWNERS & BUILDERS." This company, established in 1854, was a titan of industry. While their name suggests a focus on rail stock, they were incredibly versatile, producing a vast range of vehicles from buses and trolleybuses to airplanes and gliders. During World War II, they were a crucial part of the war effort, building military vehicles like the A10 Cruiser Tank, the Churchill Tank, the Challenger Tank, and the Valentine Tank. The number "30855" on the plaque likely refers to a specific piece of equipment or a building on the site, a serial number of sorts from a bygone era of manufacturing.
A Tale of Transformation
The company's story took a turn in the 1960s. As the demand for new rail stock declined, the company restructured in 1963, transforming from a manufacturer into a real estate and finance company. This shift highlights the adaptability of businesses in the face of changing markets.
The bottom, smaller plaque provides more context, commemorating the opening of a factory for AE Harris & Company at the site in April 1978. As of June 2022, it seems AE Harris no longer occupies the site, and a quick look at Google Maps reveals that a large portion of the property has been cleared for redevelopment.
In an interesting twist of fate, the company's legacy was revived. In June 2014, The Birmingham Railway Carriage and Wagon Company reformed as a not-for-profit organization dedicated to rebuilding locomotives from the 1960s and earlier, breathing new life into a part of Britain's rail history. It's a testament to the enduring passion for industrial heritage.
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