Records of Andrew Barclay Sons & Co Ltd, locomotive manufacturers and engineers, Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire, Scotland
- Reference:GB 248 GD 329
- Dates of Creation:1837-1970
- Name of Creator:
- Language of Material:English,
- Physical Description:153 metresThere are physical characteristics that affect the use of this material
Scope and Content
- Financial records 1876-1959
- Costing records 1898-1959
- Engineering records including those of Barclays and the North British Locomotive Co Ltd 1878-1970
- Photographs 20th century
- Publications and publicity material including catalogues, advertisement books and journals 1912-1970
- Armstrong-Whitworth records 1931-1937
- Records of John Cochrane and Co Ltd, engine makers, Barrhead including quotation book, letter books, order and cost books, photographs and advertising material 1897-1950
- Contract lists for Barclay, North British Locomotive Co Ltd and pre-North British Locomotive Co Ltd 1837-1961
- Drawings for locomotives by Andrew Barclay locomotives (including repairs) nos. 66-2377 (incomplete), Dubs and Co (12 drawings), Neilson Reid and Co contract nos. 401-903 (incomplete), Sharp Stewart and Co contract nos. 108-1166 (incomplete), North British Locomotive Co Ltd contracts L14-999 and L1-98 (second series) (incomplete), Armstrong Whitworth and Co contracts DT1-77 plus 7 miscellaneous engines and technical drawings for Andrew Barclay and J Cochrane Standing Engine drawings
This collection is held at Glasgow University Archive Services under the charge and superintendence of the Keeper of the Records of Scotland. A full list of records in this collection can be found on the National Records of Scotland (formerly the National Archives of Scotland) online catalogue under the reference GD329.
Administrative / Biographical History
Around 1840 , Andrew Barclay ( 1814-1900 ) went into partnership with Thomas McCulloch in an engineering business to make mill shafts in Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire, Scotland . Two years later he left to set up on his own and, in 1847, he moved to new premises in the town, which were paid for by the sale of his patent for the manufacture of gas lamps. The money from this sale was not paid however, and consequently the firm, which specialised in winding engines for the local coal industry, was sequestrated in 1848 . Barclay soon recovered from this set back and by 1859, when the company produced its first locomotive, the firm was employing 150 people. By 1870, Barclay's had produced 420 locomotives.
Around 1871 Andrew Barclay established a second locomotive building business, Barclays & Co , for his younger brother, John, and his four sons, James Wilson, Andrew jnr, William and Robert. This business was based at the Riverbank Works, Kilmarnock . This business remained closely associated with that of Andrew Barclay , who provided most of the plant. The firms were declared bankrupt in 1874 and 1882 respectively. In 1886 Andrew Barclay 's business was reconstructed as Andrew Barclay Sons & Co , but Barclays & Co was not revived. Problems were still encountered but in 1892 the firm took on limited liability as Andrew Barclay Sons & Co Ltd . Two years later Andrew Barclay was removed from control of the company by its shareholders. Barclay then sued the company for unpaid wages, eventually settling out of court in 1899. In 1930 , the company took over the business of John Cochrane (Barrhead) Ltd , engine makers, and in 1963 it acquired the goodwill of the North British Locomotive Co Ltd , Glasgow. In 1972 it was acquired by the Hunslet Group of companies, enginners of Leeds, England, and its name was changed in 1989 to Hunslet-Barclay Ltd . The company was still operating in 2001.
Wear, Russell,Barclay 150: a brief history of Andrew Barclay Sons & Co, (1990)
Dictionary of Scottish Business Biography ed. Slaven & Checkland, vol.1 (Aberdeen University Press : 1986)
Arrangement
This material is arranged into series, which consist of numbers of items related by function and/or format. With series, the items are generally arranged chronologically.
Access Information
Requests for access for legal, business or commercial purposes must be referred to Hunslet-Barclay Ltd, Kilmarnock
Acquisition Information
National Archives of Scotland : 1976-1983
Held under the charge and superintendence of the Keeper of the Records of Scotland
Private additional deposits : 1990
Other Finding Aids
Electronic file level list available on the National Records of Scotland online catalogue.
Manual file level list available in the searchroom and at the National Register of Archives in London (NRA36388)
Alternative Form Available
No known copies
Conditions Governing Use
Requests for large scale copying must be referred to the Keeper of the Records of Scotland.
Any requests to publish or reproduce documents from the collection must be referred to Hunslet-Barclay Ltd and the Keeper of the Records of Scotland must also be informed.
Appraisal Information
This material has been appraised in line with standard National Archives of Scotland procedures
Custodial History
Records held by Hunslet-Barclay Ltd prior to acquisition by the National Archives of Scotland
Accruals
Accruals expected in 2002
Related Material
See source list on the Locomotives & Railways available via the Glasgow University Archive Services website.
GB 0248 UGD 009 Records of Dubs & Co
GB 0248 UGD 011 Records of North British Locomotive Co Ltd
GB 248 GD 329/10 Records of John Cochrane & Co (Barrhead) Ltd
Bibliography
Wear, Russell,Barclay 150: a brief history of Andrew Barclay Sons & Co, (1990)
Additional Information
This material is original
Compiled by Jenny Bunn, Assistant Archivist, 10 April 2000
Revised by David Powell, Hub Project Archivist, 5 October 2001
Subjects
Corporate Names
Geographical Names
Kilmarnock, Scotland