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Robey & Co. Ltd (c1849 - 1988)

 Organisation

Dates

  • Existence: c1849 - 1988
  • Usage: 1854 - 1855
  • Usage: 1855 - 1856
  • Usage: 1856

Biography

Robey & Co Ltd. was an engineering company based in Lincoln, England.

The roots of the company are in Watkinson and Robey Engineers and Millwrights, who made portable engines and a range of other machinery from 1854. This company was formed by Robert Robey and William Watkinson. Successive changes in partners saw the company renamed to Robey and Scott in 1855 and Gamble & Robey and later Robey & Co Ltd in 1856.

Robey & Co were in the forefront of traction engine development in the international market and continued building traction engine and steam tractors into the twentieth century. They were also a leading company in the field of electric generating engines.

During the First World War Robye was requisition by the government to manufacture aircraft. After the war the capacity and expertise of the company was used to fabricate everything from converters for steelworks to parts for the Jodrell Bank radio telescope.

The company was purchased by Babcock International in 1984 and produce boilers in oil, gas or solid fuel fired versions, until its closure in 1988.

Found in 6 Collections and/or Records:

Arrangement of Truck Boiler Elevation, 8 October 1887

 Item
Reference code: 178M15.26(i)
Scope and Contents

Elevation drawing of arrangement of 2 and 1/2 H.P. Locoboiler for fixing on truck, scale 1 and 1/2". Designed by Robey and Co. Engineers Lincon.

Dates: 8 October 1887

Blueprints for Fairground Rides and Transport, c1875 - 1949

 Sub-Series
Reference code: 178M15.26
Scope and Contents

Plans for fairground rides and transport including loco boiler for fixing on truck, arrangement of KS Tangye gas engine, section of Water Dodgem propeller unit, Houdley truck, Mrs Murphy’s truck, Little Samson steam engine, No.64 Ark truck and Pullman living wagons.

Dates: c1875 - 1949

Blueprints of Plans and Sketches for Fairground Rides, c1887 - 1940

 Sub-Series
Reference code: 178M15.30
Scope and Contents Plans and sketches for fairground rides including Electric Yacht, arrangement of juvenile roundabouts, arrangement of No.3 Gem Roundabout, details of platforms and platform rods, Yo-Yo section and pay box, cut outs of sample car, P. Collins Joy Tubes, No.1 Water Dodgems, chimney and rafter, compensation track for scenic, Devil’s Disc section through centre, Devil’s Disc (Joy Wheel) ground plan, Straight slide extension for Arthur Holland, Helter Skelter as Proctor’s, No.2 Race track John...
Dates: c1887 - 1940

Locomotive Boiler Elevation, 11 October 1887

 Item
Reference code: 178M15.30(i)
Scope and Contents

Side elevation of arrangement of 2 and 1/2 H.P. locomotive boiler for fixing on truck. Scale 1 and 1/2" to 1 Ft. Stamped Robey & Co. Engineers, Lincoln.

Dates: 11 October 1887

Orton and Spooner Collection

 Fonds
Reference code: NFA0070
Scope and Contents

This collection contains a large selection of archives from the Orton and Spooner Company. The collection comprises photographs and cabinet card images showing carved work, structural work and classic painted work, 4 boxes of notes, invoices and clippings, 8 drawers of plans and blueprints, 2 folders of ride specifications and order forms, accounts books and a library of source books showing turn of the century art used by the artists in the company.

Dates: c1870 - 1969

Plans, c1916 - 1939

 Series
Reference code: 178M15
Scope and Contents

Blueprints of electric parts for fairground rides supplied by Mather & Platt Ltd and Hackett & Co., Electrical Engineers to Orton and Spooner.

Dates: c1916 - 1939