Rochdale firm helps Vintage Carriages Trust

Matterson Cranes based in Rochdale has helped the Vintage Carriages Trust by restoring some old locomotive railway jacks.

The company, which usually works with Network Rail and various train operating companies, restored four six and a half ton jacks for the trust.

Work undertaken on the jacks is part of the heritage movement which sees second hand jacks overhauled and made serviceable again.

The locomotive jacks that the company worked on were made in 1964 and were originally Matterson jacks. To complete the restoration the company overhauled the jacks. This meant stripping them right back, repairing them and fitting a new electrical box to drive them.

John Culshaw from Masterson Cranes said: “The work took about six weeks.

"It isn’t rocket science but they are happy with the work and we are happy that they are happy with it.

“They are ready to go and are set to go out to the museum on Wednesday (22 January).”

The Vintage Carriages Trust is located in Ingrow as part of the Museum of Rail Travel and is a volunteer body which was formed in 1965 by volunteers whose interest was in wooden bodied carriages.

Matterson Cranes has over 90 years experience and they have a high reputation for reliability, safety, and performance.

John is soon to visit a museum in Crewe which is hoping to send some work the company’s way. “I am going to a museum in Crewe on Wednesday to look at a set of jacks that they want some work doing on,” said John.