E. Borrows and Sons
Edward Borrows & Sons of Providence Works, Sutton, near St. Helens
1865 The company was founded by Edward Borrows, who had been James Cross's assistant on the St Helens Railway.
1871 Advertising as engineers, iron and brass founders, makers of blowing engines (used in Weldon’s process of recovering the manganese), steam pumps, vertical and horizontal engines, patentees of the diaphragm pump, switches and crossings, contractors’ plant, edge runners, agricultural implements, cocks, wrought and cast iron work for wagons, and every description of iron and brass castings. 'Note: E. B & Sons having purchased the patterns, &c., from the Lancashire Engineering and Compression Casting Co. (late James Cross & Co., for the small Locomotive Engines, are prepared to execute any repairs, such as putting in new Fire Boxes, new Tubes, new Wheels and Axles; replacing old Tyres, turning Wheels up, putting in new motions, new Cylinders, or to replace anything becoming disarranged at short notice.'[1]
1872 Commenced building four railway locomotives. [2]
1912 Works and contents advertised for sale on death of J. A. Borrows. '....The land is freehold, and, including adjacent land available for extension, occupies an area of upwards of 18,000 square yards or thereabouts. The buildings comprise: —Brick-built offices, pattern shed in one bay, 196 ft. by 44ft.; foundry 117 ft. by 38ft., smithy 64ft. by 34ft., brass foundry 24ft. by 18ft., fitting and turning shop 113 ft. by 81ft., drawing office, joiners and pattern-makers shop, stables, etc. [3]
1912 The locomotive business was taken over by H. W. Johnson and Co.
1913 Had built about 40 locomotives by this date with the main customers being Pilkington Brothers, United Alkali Co and Brunner, Mond and Co.