(grid reference SO 833544) (Page 1 of 2)
The Mining Engineering Co Ltd (Meco) works was originally based at Moorfields near Sheffield but during 1925 it moved to a new site on the Bromyard Road at Worcester on the east side of the Worcester & Hereford Railway. The firm specialised in the manufacture of mining rescue apparatus and compressed air drills, conveyors and other equipment. The firm expanded to occupy other nearby sites and established a world-wide market for conveyors and bulk materials handling machinery.
In 1927, a standard gauge siding was laid alongside the main line from Henwick to the original works. Two cranes were used to enable wagons to be loaded.
Meco was sold to the Dowty group in the 1970s and became part of the Joy Mining Machinery division of Joy Global Inc, Warrendale, Pennsylvania, U.S.A. This company was established by Joseph Joy in 1919.
A narrow gauge (2'0") railway served the works but being on a higher level than the main line the locos could not be viewed from the train. The railway was still in use in May 1976 when it was reported that there was a small track layout in the yard for taking containers of paint between shops. However the internal railway closed later the same year.
Subsequently the original works was closed and demolished and a tenpin bowling alley and fitness centre was built, but some narrow gauge track was still evident in August 2004.
Part of the works is now a tenpin bowling alley. The above photos taken by Andrew Smith on 30th August 2001 show that some of the track is still in place.
LOCOMOTIVE FLEET (1967)
BFK454 4wDM Lister 28039 of 1945
(originally petrol drive, rebuilt as a diesel locomotive in 1962)
(sold for preservation c4/1977)
DFK538 4wDM Lister 34523 of 1949 (sold for preservation 7/1972)
Both locomotives were delivered new to this site.
- 4wPM Lister 973 of c1930
(This locomotive came from Lister's in 1935 and was converted to a flat wagon and was still in use 10/1968)