Cast Iron LMS plate?

Watford West · 10 Aug 2020

Hi all

I'm new to this forum, but have enjoyed what I've read so far. But I have a query that perhaps one of you learned people might have an answer to.
Some years ago I inherited a cast iron plate with the LMS crest on it from a guy that worked for the LMS at the Grove in Watford.
Apart from its obvious use as a paperweight (he was in the admin dept!) Does anyone have any idea what its real purpose was?
Many thanks

RailUK Forums

John Webb · 10 Aug 2020

The 'Midland Foundry' appears on maps just SW of Sandiacre station in the late 1800s see Map of Sandiacre 1899 from the National Library of Scotland's collection.
I think this may well have been a paperweight - the lettering on the back is recessed to maximise the flat area. May have been made by the company as an example to the LMS of what they could make, or ordered by the LMS in quantity. Might be worth looking at the Search Engine at the National Railway Museum in York and see if there's further information there.

randyrippley · 10 Aug 2020

I'd guess at a cigarette ash tray

WesternLancer · 11 Aug 2020

randyrippley said:
I'd guess at a cigarette ash tray

But maybe not very deep considering how many people smoked back in the day (and thus the capacity needed for ash).
Certainly a nice thing.
Paperweight does seem a distinct possibility...

They obv did corporate items - eg
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Chesterm...-Bros-Midland-Foundry-Sandiacre-/152137023929

Track builder near Toton yards (isn't there still a track works place there or near there)?

Taylor Brothers (Sandiacre) - Graces Guide

www.gracesguide.co.uk

Looks like railway work was their business, or perhaps a fair chunk of it

Taylor Bros, Railway Yard, Midlands Foundry, Sandiacre, c 1900

A railway yard with a steam engine just entering picture from bottom left. Heavy lifting equipment and rails visible. Looking NNW, with Osmaston Street to Right, middle distance; and Springfield Mill, with chimney in far distance. Taylors' products included railway track, much of which is visible.

picturethepast.org.uk

and here in 1981

Taylor Bros Yard - Sandiacre, Notts.

The private world of Taylor Bros Yard Works & Foundry at Sandiacre on August 16th 1981. The complex was adjacent to the entrance to Toton Traction Maintenance Depot, and they manufactured point & crossing components. A newly completed point layout can be seen assembled in the yard adjacent to...

www.flickr.com

John Webb · 11 Aug 2020

The old maps show at least two railway wagon works and several lace factories in the area. I suspect Taylor Bros were set up to give these works essential castings for repairs and replacements that they could not make for themselves.

Watford West · 11 Aug 2020

Hi all
Well thank you all very much for replies, very much appreciated. The links are fascinating and it is nice to be able to have a location where it was produced.
It would seem quite logical that it was a paperweight that could also double as a promotional sample. This is what I'm gonna settle on and tell people that ask (very few of them!)
Thank you for your time

edwin_m · 11 Aug 2020

WesternLancer said:
Track builder near Toton yards (isn't there still a track works place there or near there)?

Progress Rail were certainly there a few years ago - I visited the site once briefly but didn't recognize any of those photos. Google still gives a Sandiacre address but their website doesn't appear to mention them having any operations there.

soccermad · 12 Aug 2020

Yes there is Progress Rail Track Works still at Toton

Cast Iron LMS plate?

Watford West

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RailUK Forums

John Webb

Established Member

randyrippley

Established Member

WesternLancer

Established Member

Taylor Brothers (Sandiacre) - Graces Guide

Taylor Bros, Railway Yard, Midlands Foundry, Sandiacre, c 1900

Taylor Bros Yard - Sandiacre, Notts.

John Webb

Established Member

Watford West

Member

edwin_m

Veteran Member

soccermad

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