Arrol Brothers
of Germiston (sometimes miswritten as Genniston) Iron Works, Glasgow.
N.B. Should not be confused with William Arrol and Co, who were also bridge builders.
Company established by Thomas Arthur Arrol and his brother James Cameron Arrol
Early 1880s The brothers formed Arrol Brothers at Germiston Iron Works, Glasgow
c.1883 Supplied the pneumatic caissons used in the construction of the Forth Bridge. The following quote is from the resident engineer on the Forth bridge, Wilhelm Westhofen, in his authoritative account in 1890 of the design and building of the Forth Bridge: “The six caissons which were sunk by the pneumatic process were mainly built of wrought iron, and were in the first instance constructed and put together by Messrs. Arrol Brothers of Glasgow, namesakes, but in no way connected with Messrs. W. Arrol & Co., of Dalmarnock Iron Works.”
Arrol Brothers built the bridge at the new (1871) Martinez railway station in Buenos Aires - the bridge was probably constructed at a later date than the railway line itself, which had been built between 1862 and 1865 with English capital (but not by this company).[1]
1886 Maker of Lockwood's automatic leather scouring and setting machine for the leather trade.
1892 Became Arrols Bridge and Roof Co
1894 Sequestration of ARROL BROTHERS, carrying on business at Germiston Works, Glasgow, as Engineers and Bridge Builders, and Thomas Arthur Arrol, Engineer and Bridge Builder there, the sole Partner of that Company[2]
- Note: Irish Railway Images at Right Several railway footbridges built by this firm survive on Iarnrod Eireann - some are still in use; some are blocked off (but possibly survive as listed structures). Original client was probably the Great Southern and Western Railway; but other railways may have bought the same pattern; and they may have been relocated.[3]
- Note: Buenos Aires Images at Right Several railway footbridges identical to the Martinez Station pictured are located along the Mitre Rail Line today.