Addressed to: Dan. Gooch, Gt Westn Railway, Paddington, London.  Aug 9 1842
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Correspondence from Joseph Whitworth Company to Daniel Gooch- 1842

 

Equipment for fitting out Swindon Works

Shown below is a letter sent from Joseph Whitworth Company of Manchester to Daniel Gooch, the first Locomotive Superintendent of the Great Western Railway(GWR). This snippet of correspondence is of historical interest as it is from the very early years of both engineering concerns. The letter is dated August 8'th 1842 and relates to the shipment of some machinery to Swindon. This would have been for the fitting out of Swindon railway works. These works had been authorised in February 1841 and opened in January 1843. Until then the GWR had been dependant on others for the manufacture of its locomotives. A further note from July 1840 reveals how maintenance and provision of spare parts by others had caused problems in keeping sufficient engines in working order. Once Swindon Works was operational the GWR could look after its own engineering needs.                     (scroll down for full text)

 

The Railway network was still rather limited at this time and bulky items of freight still went by boat. Hence in this instance shipment was by Pickford and Co's Boat. The Wiltshire and Berkshire Canal passed very close to Swindon Works.

 

The writing within the letter is a little difficult to read but is transcribed as best I can.

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Addressed to:

Dan. Gooch Esq

Gt West'n Rail'y

Paddington

London

 

Manchester Aug 8'th 1842

 

Sir

 

We beg to advise having forwarded to your address the following Machinery for Swindon viz

 

Aug't 5'th  G.W. No 101 = 1 Case     }

                           102 = 1 Casting } Large Drilling Machine

                           103 = 1 Case    }

Aug't 6'th   .. .. ..   104 = 1 Case . . (in this case in a parcel for Gillbanks)

                           105}                    }

                             to} = 6 Castings   }

                           110}                    }

Aug't 8'th   .. .. ..   111}                    }

                             & } = 2 Cases      } Parts of 4ft Wheel Turning

                           112}                    }                     Lathes

                           113}                    }

                             to} = 4 Castings   }

                           116}                    }               

                           119}                    }   

                             & } = 2 Cases      }  Drums etc for Line Shafting

                           120}                    }

 

 

For Pickford & Co's Boat

 

                                                             We are Sir

                                                                Your most obedient Servant

                                                                  Joseph Whitworth & Co

                                                                    & Samuel Walker

 

Daniel Gooch Esq

  

 

This cutting is a tantalising part of a longer message. It is from GWR Paddington, Engineer's Office, Locomotive Department and dated July 25'th 1840. It reads, " . . least - I also hope the wheels are ready as the want of them keeps our engine idle which we can ill spare."
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