Z1256

Simplex Works

c.1930s - 1965

From: 1930 To: 1965

Motor Rail & Tram Car Co. Limited was incorporated 20/03/1911 with an office at 79 Lombard Street, London and commenced production from a factory at Lewes in Sussex. In December 1915 the company opened negotiations with the Bedford Engineering Company to move production to Bedford. During WW1 the company made ‘trench tractors’ for the War Office. Early in 1918 the company purchased a new factory, which became known as the Simplex Works, in Elstow Road, Bedford. On 16 April 1931 the company became known as Motor Rail Limited. In 1954 Motor Rail formed a subsidiary company in South Africa, Motor Rail (Simplex) Pty Limited to look after its interest there. Loco Holdings Limited, of 4-5 Westmorland Street, Dublin took over the company on 4 May 1965. The works closed and locomotive building rights passed to Alan Keef Limited in July 1987. [Source: Industrial Locomotives of Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire & Northamptonshire by Robin Waywell]

fonds

Motor Rail & Tramcar Company Limited,
Motor Rail Limited

Motor Rail & Tramcar Company Limited, Motor Rail Limited, manufacturing, BEDFORD, Bedford Elstow Road