Ritchie Brothers Explained

Ritchie Brothers
Industry:Rolling stock manufacturing
Foundation:1857
Defunct:1950s
Location City:Auburn
Products:Railway carriages
Trams

Ritchie Brothers was an Australian railway rolling stock and tram manufacturer based in the Sydney suburb of Auburn.

History

In 1857, Robert Ritchie took over the blacksmith business of Joseph Whiting of Parramatta. In 1876, Ritchie was awarded a contract by the Government of New South Wales for 150 wagons. In 1882, the business relocated to Marion Street, Auburn.[1]

Ritchie Brothers built carriages for the New South Wales Government Railways including American suburban carriages, Bradfield suburban, Silver City Comet, 500 class trailers and 72 foot carriages.[2] [3] [4] [5] [6] It also built D and N class trams for the Sydney tram network.[7] It closed in the 1950s with the plant and equipment sold to Australian Electrical Industries.[8]

Notes and References

  1. https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1302&dat=18920924&id=wRhQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=l5UDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3240,3265243&hl=en Machine Factories: Ritchie Brothers, Auburn
  2. Book: Kerry. Michael. Sydney's Wooden Electrics. 1990. Transit Australia Publishing. Sydney. 0-909459-14-2.
  3. Book: Cooke. David. Coaching Stock of the NSW Railways. 1999. Eveleigh Press. Matraville. 1-876568-00-3. 200–203.
  4. http://www.sets.org.au/fleet/index.php?id=sds C3082 1921 Ritchie Bros Wooden Bradfield Motor Car
  5. Book: Cooke. Railmotors and XPTs. Australian Railway Historical Society NSW Division. 1984. 0-909650-23-3.
  6. http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/heritageapp/ViewHeritageItemDetails.aspx?ID=4807026 TAM504
  7. http://www.sydneytramwaymuseum.com.au/tramfans/fleet/the-trams-of-the-sydney-tramway-museum/ The Trams of the Sydney Tramway Museum
  8. Plant of Old Established Car Builder Sold Railway Transportation December 1955 page 38