Robey Steam Engines ~ The History of Robey of Lincoln
Robey of Lincoln ~ Lincolnshire Steam Engines & Vehicles
A look at the history behind a wonderful Lincolnshire company dating back to Victorian Times . . .
It was 1854 when Robert Robey decided to set up business making iron framed threshing machines in Canwick Road, Lincoln.
The business was, like the product, solid and reliable and it expanded and prospered, by 1875 were making all sorts of things such as a ‘Mine Winding Engine’ which went on to be installed all over the world.
They met with success in 1878 when they won a Gold Medal at the International Exhibition in Paris, their steam engine was not only acclaimed but it was the only one to run for the entire exhibition and not break down !
Between 1915 and 1918 they even got involved in the aircraft business producing a strange array of aeroplanes such as a seaplane and a so-called Gunbus.
Of course, during World War I things turned from civilian to military, hence the Gunbus, but after the war they really got moving with portable team engines, the Robey Economic Boiler and their well-known Robey Steam Rollers and Robey Steam Wagons.
The Robey Steam Wagon
World War II came and they once again turned their attentions to the War Effort making engines for Corvettes and Frigates as well as general engineering ordnance etc.
After World War II the company really concentrated on the mining industry and electric mine winders which once again found themselves installed worldwide.
Times change and although Robey was always a go-ahead company during the 1950s and 1960s the business tightened and instead of making and developing machinery they took on a lot of sub-contract work and eventually the company was bought out by the Newell Dunford Group.
Lincoln really was a centre for engineering and steam power, world leaders in many respects, a heritage we should make more of.
Steam enthusiasts are, of course, well aware of this but I think many of the public at large aren’t aware just how important Lincoln was in this wonderful era that was Steam Power and Engineering and Robey played an important part in that.
Any information or comments on anything connected to Robey is keenly sough, please do feel free to leave a comment below.
Many thanks,
Rod
Paulo said,
October 26, 2012 @ 1:33 pm
Just a bit of info on the two aircraft built by Robey. 30 Gunbus’s were built under licence for Sopwiths. The Gunbus was a pusher biplane with the pilot in the back and the gunner out front pointing a 303 Lewis gun at whatever he could see and no doubt hanging on for grim death. Remember these aircraft had open cockpits, no heating or parachutes. Maximum speed was 80 mph and service ceiling was 4,000ft. The second machine they built under licence was the Short 184. This was a seaplane with folding wings and was designed as a two seat bomber and torpedo carrier. A staggering total of 256 were built in Lincoln. The maximum speed was 88mph and the service ceiling was 9,000ft. Fancy being that high in an open cockpit with no parachute.
Paulo
Rod said,
October 26, 2012 @ 3:19 pm
Paulo,
absolutely wonderfu, many thanks indeed for taking the time and a warm welcome to the site
All the best
Rod
Paulo said,
October 29, 2012 @ 11:06 am
After a bit of digging I’ve uncovered a bit more about Lincoln and aircraft production in WW1. Apparantly Lincoln was the fifth largest producer of aircraft by 1915 with more than 5000 produced. Ruston Proctor & Co, who were steam engine engineers like Robey and also from Lincoln made 2750 aircraft and 3000 engines.
They made many different models under licence including 1600 Sopwith Camels. Another Lincoln steam engine company, Clayton & Shuttleworth, made 500 Sopwith Camels the most famous being B7270 flown by Canadian Roy Brown who was officially credited with the downing of the Red Baron (later modern research suggests otherwise). It’s amazing that all three companies, who were basically agricultural engineers turned their hands to what was at the time high tech production of aircraft. It’s a pity that there’s no one left to speak to about life in the factories building aeroplanes.
Paul
geoff said,
March 18, 2013 @ 12:13 am
ROBEYS FACTORY WAS CALLED GLOBE WORKS LINCOLN , THERE IS SOME INFO ON THE ROBEY TRUST WEBSITE . THERE IS A BUILDING ON CANWICK ROAD CALLED GLOBE HOUSE ,I WORKED IN LINCOLN 1978 TO 1985 I THINK ROBEYS WERE STILL GOING AT THAT TIME . ABOUT 10 YEARS AGO I SPOKE TO A MAN WHO HAD BEEN AN ENGINEER WITH THEM , HE HAD BEEN ALL OVER THE WORLD INSTALLING AND REPAIRING THEIR ENGINES . .REGARDS, GEOFF.
Rod said,
March 18, 2013 @ 7:00 am
Hi Geoff,
many thanks indeed
Best
Rod