Hardy Rail Motors
Hardy Rail Motors
During the 1920s Hardy built rail-going conversions of Four Wheel Drive (FWD) vehicles
1926 Hardy railcars were built by Four Wheel Drive Lorry Co for Hardy Rail Motors, Ltd. (an associated company). One was equipped with a Foamite Firefoam tank, hose reel, etc., which was shipped to the Anglo-Persian Oil Co., Ltd., Abadan, for combating oil fires. Another was a tower wagon which had been delivered to the Leeds City Tramways for use in connection with the repair of overhead equipment.
The company had recently been carrying out some tests with one of their Hardy shunting locomotives fitted with the new large petrol engine. On the first test the locomotive was shunting on a gradient of 1 in 24, which is extremely steep for railway work. In further tests, carried out on a practically level line, the locomotive was tested by pulling various loaded wagons.
Several extensions had been made to the machine shop and the carpenters' shops at Slough. In the latter the machines are being run off an underground line shaft which is driven from an overhead motor.[1]
1929 A working arrangement was concluded between the Associated Equipment Co., Ltd., and the Four Wheel Drive Lorry Co., Ltd., which also included Hardy Rail Motors, Ltd.
The principal units in the construction of F.W.D. and Hardy products will be of A.E.C make.
In addition to the standard four and six-wheel-drive chassis there is an F.W.D. low-loader of six tons capacity, driven through the front wheels, fitted with 36-in. by 8-in, pneumatic tyres. The loading platform is 2 ft. 3 ins, from the ground.
The F.W.D. commercial tractor has a 7-ft. wheelbase, a four-cylinder engine of 65 b.h.p. and a seven-speed gearbox. It is capable of hauling loads up to 20 tons on trailers, and has 36-in. by 8-in, pneumatic tyres on the four driving wheels. The road speed is 26 m.p.h. at normal engine revolutions.
There are three models of six-wheeler, a four-cylinder of six tons capacity, a six-cylinder to carry eight tons and a six-wheel-drive tractor with a drawbar pull of 12,000 lb. and a powerful winch.
Then there are half-track machines and, in the Hardy range, a standard shunting locomotive to haul 230 tons on the level, tower wagons, inspection coaches, etc.
Many of these vehicles have been selected for use with special equipment because of their four-wheel drive; examples were fire pumps, cranes, grabbing machines, etc., and other equipment which the Associated Equipment Co., Ltd., considers will be of great interest to many of its dealers and customers. All A.E.C. branches will be in a position to supply complete information regarding these chassis and equipment. Some of the latter can be incorporated in the A.E.C. chassis, and the company welcomes this arrangement, which it hopes will lead to the farther enlargement of its programme.[2]
1929 Mr D. R. Walters (recently returned from heading AEC Australia) was appointed secretary and accountant of Four Wheel Drive Motors, Ltd., and Hardy Rail Motors, Ltd. [3]
1930 The business was referred to as Hardy Motors[4]
1932 AEC became the sole shareholder, following the arrangement made with FWD.