British Electric Vehicles

British Electric Vehicles (BEV) of Churchtown, Southport, Lancashire, built industrial vehicles including both small electrically motorised trolleys for carrying raw materials and products around factories and electric locomotives desirable for use underground and in flammable environments.

Company History[]

British Electric Vehicles Ltd was formed in 1905 with works in Churchtwon, Southport. The business used patented controllers made by Wingrove & Rogers Ltd of Kirkby, Liverpool, and in 1926 the business was purchased by Wingrove & Rogers who continued to use the B.E.V trademark. In the early 1990s Wingrove & Rogers was purchased by Pikrose Group in Oldham Lancashire, working until 2005 under the Ferranti Engineering company until the mining Electric vehicles business was purchased in mid-2005 by a Peruvian Industrial Group that acquired the manufacturing Engineering and Licensed the BEV Brand. Now the mining electric locomotives in battery and trolley types are being manufactured in the Serminsa Group facilities.

Products[]

At the British Empire exhibition in 1924, B.E.V. exhibited three of their products to illustrate their range and give examples of where they are used.^[1] These were as follows :

• No 2 battery locomotive for use in mines, tunneling and general works. 150 example of this model were in use in England, and they were being used for the extension of the London Underground and a smaller size by London County Council on extensions to the main sewers.
• Super Giant Industrial Truck. Described as being like a motor lorry in miniature with 5000lbs load capacity. Port of London Authority were using about 40 of these trucks.
• Midget Whippet truck. A small battery truck for machine shops, warehouses, etc. This will turn from one 4 foot aisle into another at right angles without any shunting, and will carry 1000lbs.

Preservation[]

Preserved Locomotives

There are currently 4 locomotives built by BEV known to be preserved. All have a very similar design, with cast iron frames, and the wheels driven from a single, central motor through reduction gearing to each axle. The cast side frames are of very similar designs, with the end castings being different to suit different gauges.

References[]

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