Muir-Hill

Muir Hill (Engineers) Ltd, started in the early 1920s as a general engineering company based in Old Trafford, Manchester, England. Best known for the production of simple rail locomotives and in the company's later life high horse power tractors, with production of Dumpers post war.

History

Amongst other products they built rather basic petrol engined locomotives, mainly for narrow gauge. The early locos were little more than a Fordson tractor skid mounted on a rail chassis, with a chain connecting the rear axle of the tractor to the rail wheels.

Production of locomotives did not continue beyond the 1930s; the company went on to build heavy tractors and construction equipment.

Amongst users of Muir Hill locomotives were the slate quarries of Blaenau Ffestiniog and the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway (who still have two examples).

Ffestiniog trial

This 4wPM locomotive of around 20hp was constructed by Muir Hill (Engineers) Ltd in about 1922. It came to the FR on loan from the Aluminium Corporation's Cowlyd Reservoir Railway near Dolgarrog, arriving at Blaenau Ffestiniog on 9 April 1924. The loan was arranged by Henry Joseph Jack, who at the time controlled the WHR and FR and believed that a fleet of these units could provide cost-effective haulage for most purposes.^[1] Based on a Fordson tractor, the Muir Hill had three speeds in forward but only one in reverse. Trails were conducted in early May. It performed about as well as could have been reasonably expected, being barely able to pull 'an ordinary guards van' from Beddgelert to South Snowdon (Rhyd Ddu). Later in May it was tried to power the machinery at Boston Lodge. In a further trial it ran very well from Blaenau Ffestiniog to South Snowdon with a small van but could only return to Beddgelert at 2¼ mph because of its inadequate reverse gearing. These poor results were reported to the Board in June and the unit returned to Dolgarrog in August 1924. A Muir-Hill locomotive is shown on the Colonel Stephens Railway Museum web site.^[2]

Tractors and Construction Machinery

They then moved on to producing dumpers also based on Fordson tractor skid units. Also building forklifts based on a tractor skid unit for a period before other manufacturers entered the market with better machines. Building some of the earlier articulated dumpers that evolved into the modern ADT. Later moving into tractor production which continued until the 1980s.

The company changed hands several times during its life, with the Name and manufacturing rights now belonging to Lloyd Loaders (MH) Ltd of Hipperholme, West Yorkshire. They supply rebuilt and second hand tractors and loaders, as well as genuine parts. They have all the technical info available, Parts lists, Build nos, original drawings, and can supply most parts for all the range of machines.

Ross-on Wye based Robert Jenkins was an Muir-Hill field engineer for many years. Having worked on Muir-Hill's right up until the sale to Lloyd Loaders, he continued to service machines in his locality as a Lloyd Loaders (MH) Ltd agent until his retirement and has now passed on his knowledge and vast collection of parts information to North Wales company (and avid Muir-Hill enthusiasts) Smallholder Services who are not an official agent.

Lloyd Loaders (MH) Ltd produced Muir-Hill tractors throughout the 1990s mainly for the Scandinavian market. Genuine spare parts are readily available together with repairs, sales & services being carried out by Lloyd Loaders (MH) Ltd.

Muir-Hill tractors have a well documented record as a work horse hence vast numbers are still hard at work long after the demise of comparable models. This could, in part, account for the ever increasing interest in Muir-Hill restorations. Enthusiasts are always keen to secure genuine spare parts, creating a growing customer base for Lloyd Loaders (MH) Ltd from a somewhat unexpected area. Examples of these projects are regularly seen at shows throughout the UK.

References

1. ^ Henry Joseph Jack
2. ^ Colonel Stephens Railway Museum web site

Further reading

• The British Internal Combustion Locomotive 1894-1940, Brian Webb, published by David & Charles, ISBN 0-7153-6115-5
• Ford Tractor Conversions, By Stuart Gibbard, 'Old Pond' publishing.
• Industrial Railways of North Wales - Vic Bradley; Colonel Stephens Railway Museum web site

External links

• Muir-Hill Website Official Muir-Hill Website
• Clevedon & Portihead Railway-has preserved Muir hill locomotive.
• Book featuring Muir Hill
• Small holder services - Some Muir Hill photos & info