Armstrong Whitworth Archive

Does anyone know which organisation, if any, holds an archive from Armstrong Whitworth which covers the steam locomotives they built? Not been able to find such a thing so far. Thanks

 

I don't think there is an archive. I made enquiries some years ago when I was working on one of my books on Chinese locos. I had some help from a gentleman called Eric Maxwell who was based in the Northeast, but he may have been the same person who was involved in the Tanfield Railway and who passed away several years ago. He supplied me with an image of a loco and it is possible/likely[?] he had other AW material. I managed to find quite a lot of useful material elsewhere but that was by pursuing the China connection. Brian Webb's book "Armstrong Whitworth - A Pioneer of World Diesel Traction" gives various acknowledgements but may be of limited use re their steam-building activities. Ominously Webb starts off his Acknowledgements "The total lack of surviving documents at those official sources thought most likely to have them..." Sadly Webb passed away in 1981 at the early age of 46 and the book was published posthumously.

 

Graces Guide?

 

Thanks, what a shame it seems lost.

 

Brian left behind mass of documents which I personally took to the NRM in accordance with Brian's wishes. It might be useful to check what that material covered as Brian was interested in both steam and diesel / electric traction.

I would also advise a copy ofBritish Steam Locomotive Builders by James W. Lowe published by Goose. and Son (Salisbury House, Station Rd,Cambridge CB1 2LA) in 1975 - ISBN 0 900404 21 3; this could be out of print hence a need to obtain through booksellers. Referring to my copy it lists orders between 1919 (Order E4 Wks no 1-60) and 1936/7 (Order unknown Wks nos 1280 - 1506 / LMS 5225 - 5461)

 

Have you tried the Industrial Railway Society?
https://www.irsociety.co.uk/

 

It is definitely out of print in that edition - not many books stay in print for 50 years with the same isbn, particularly not specialist volumes of esoteric interest. I think there was only one print run, and I also believe that Goose & Son ceased trading in the 1980s. However, Pen & Sword published a new edition in 2014 (isbn 9781473822894) and new copies of this should still be fairly readily available at around the £25 mark.

 

Abebooks currently has this copy:

https://www.abebooks.co.uk/British-Steam-Locomotive-Builders-Lowe-James/32374995279/bd

It's the original edition from 1975 but there are apparently 1980s reprints with a supplement, such as this one;

https://www.abebooks.co.uk/British-Steam-Locomotive-Builders-Lowe-James/32354739707/bd

 

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