Haigh Foundry

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The Haigh Foundry was formed in 1835 by E.Evans and T.C.Ryley in Wigan. It had initially been opened in 1810 for manufacturing winding engines and pumping equipment for the mining industry. Evans and Ryley took it on a twenty-one year lease with the intention of adding the production of railway locomotives.

At first it built 0-4-0 and 2-2-0 types, many subcontracted from Edward Bury. In 1837, Ajax was supplied to the Leicester and Swannington Railway, followed by Hector, an 0-6-0 so powerful that orders were received from a number of other railways.

They also built two broad gauge locos in 1838 for the Great Western Railway with upward gearing. This was not a success and was soon removed. They were rebuilt around 1840 and continued successfully. Four more were built to a design by Daniel Gooch, saddle tanks for the South Devon Railway.

The works continued to build locos on their own account, and under sub-contract. Among these were long boiler types for Jones and Potts and three for T.R.Crampton.

In 1855 two 0-8-0 were built for use in the Crimean War for hauling guns up inclines as steep as 1 in 10.

Over a hundred locomotives were built until, in 1856, the lease expired and, orders being short, the works ended production.