Electric lorry with end-tipping mechanism

TR RAN PH2/9/126TO CHECK

between 1915-1919

Sims & Jefferies Ltd. Ransomes, Wolverhampton Corporation

Ransomes, Sims and Jefferies, engineers of Orwell Works, Ipswich were a major British agricultural machinery maker. (https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Ransomes,_Sims_and_Jefferies) Located at Nacton, Ipswich, Suffolk. The firm adopted various styles while in business at Ipswich. The following list indicates their dates of adoption and the abbreviations used in the catalogue: 1789 RR Robert Ransome 1809 RSn Ransome & Son 1818 RSs Ransome & Sons 1825 JRR J. & R. Ransome 1830 JRAR J. R. & A. Ransome 1846 RM Ransome & May 1852 RS Ransome & Sims 1869 RSH Ransome, Sims & Head 1881 RHJ Ransome, Head & Jefferies 1884 RSJ Ransome, Sims & Jefferies Ltd. (1884 Private Limited Company) (1911 Public Limited Company) Prior to 1789 Robert Ransome was in business at Norwich trading under the following styles: 1774 Robert Ransome 1784 Ransome & Co.

photograph depicting a Ransomes 'Orwell' vehicle belonging to the electricity dept. of Wolverhampton Corporation emptying ash waste into a pit

1 photographic print: b&w

type: PRINT, dimensions: 14 x 19 cm

English

file

lorry transport, Lorries, Electric vehicles, Ransomes, Manufacturers (and makers), Ipswich, Graphic Materials

<DIV STYLE="text-align:Justify;font-family:Georgia;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;font-size:16;color:#000000;"><P><SPAN><SPAN>3. &lt;B&gt;Electric lorry&lt;/B&gt;&lt;P&gt;Electric vehicles have been available as lorries and vans throughout the twentieth century, although never selling in the same quantities as petrol or diesel vehicles. Electric vehicles were popular with those whose work was mainly urban based, for example, local authority refuse collections or shopkeepers providing a delivery service - work that was generally dominated by many short distances and much stopping and starting. Vehicles powered by an electric battery had a number of advantages including low noise levels - a benefit when working in residential areas during the early hours - reduced operating costs and a longer life span.&lt;P&gt;Pictured above is an Orwell electric lorry built by the Ipswich based company, Ransomes, Sims and Jeffries, and belonging to the electricity department of Wolverhampton Corporation. The electric power is obtained from the large battery seen suspended below the vehicle's centre. The lorry's tipping mechanism is being used to empty the load of ash waste into the pit below whilst also saving the two workmen a very dirty job. The tipping mechanism is operated by hand crank, the handles of which can be seen by each of the two men. The cab, with the exception of a solid roof, has sides made of a tough material which can, if required, be rolled up and secured with a small belt beneath the roof. The photograph dates from between 1915 - 1919.&lt;P&gt;TR RAN PH2/9/126</SPAN></SPAN></P></DIV>

Available

Ransomes original number for this photograph: 4176

Scanned image