L. Gardner and Sons
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The company L. Gardner and Sons was a manufacturer of diesel engines from Hulme (Manchester) , England. Stationary engines and engines for road and rail vehicles as well as ships were manufactured. The company existed from 1868 to the mid-1990s.
history
Founding period
Lawrence Gardner founded a sewing machine factory in the Hulme district of Manchester around 1868 . After his death in 1890, the company was continued by his sons under the name L. Gardner & Sons .
The company began building gas engines from around 1895 . In 1899 the company moved to the Patricroft district . In 1903 it was converted into a limited company , similar to a limited liability company . At the same time, sales companies were established in London and other cities. The company's first diesel engine was also manufactured in 1903. The sales network could be expanded up to the beginning of the First World War . After the outbreak of war, Gardner produced ammunition , parts for heavy weapons and engines for tanks .
After the 1st World War
During the 1920s, diesel engines developed rapidly. The use of such engines for road vehicles has become increasingly interesting. Gardner sat 1929 a marine engine of the type 4L2 in the chassis of a Lancia -BUS. After successful testing, Gardner developed the LW series as engines for trucks and buses . Later engines of this series were also built as marine engines with bilge pumps fitted in the factory .
During the Second World War , Gardner mainly produced diesel engines of its own design for military vehicles. After the end of the war, Gardner produced the LW series in large numbers for buses and trucks. This type was replaced by the LX series. Larger engines were developed and built for rail vehicles, so the 6L3 and 8L3 were used in British Rail's class 01, 03 and 04 shunting locomotives . These engines were also used on ships such as the MV Havengore and the yachts Condor and Condor of Bermuda .
From 1950 to 1977 the company's shares were traded on the Manchester Stock Exchange. Hawker Siddeley made a public offer for the shares in 1977 and took over the company. In 1986 the company was bought by Perkins Engines to expand their line of light diesel engines.
Cessation of production
Gardner ceased production of diesel engines in the early 1990s. The stricter emission protection regulations for road vehicles would have required a significant further development or even a new development of the engines. At the same time, the requirements of the marine engine market had changed. Instead of large, slow-running engines with high torque, such as those manufactured by Gardner, there was increasing demand for high-revving, supercharged diesel engines.
Gardner Marine Diesels as the successor company is still engaged in the maintenance and repair of Gardner engines. Together with Gardner Parts Limited , the spare parts supply for the existing engines is ensured. Another company, Gardner Enthusiast Ltd , manufactures replacement parts.
Gardner 4T5
Gardner 8L3 of a British Rail Class 03
British Rail Class 01 with Gardner engine
British Rail Class 04 with Gardner engine
literature
- Donald H. Smith: The Modern Diesel. 13th edition. Iliffe & Sons, London 1959.
- Graham Edge: L. Gardner & Sons Limited: Legendary Engineering Excellence. Gingerfold, Cambridge 2006, ISBN 1-902356-16-0 .
Web links
Individual evidence
- ^ Gardner . Grace's Guide to British industrial History
- ↑ Gardner Marine Diesel on gardnermarine.com
- ↑ Gardner Engine Parts and Spares at gardnerparts.co.uk
- ↑ Gardner Enthusiast on gardner-enthusiast.com