F. C. Hibberd & Co.

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Hibberd Planet diesel shunter at WLLR Diesel Shunter, Planet at WLLR -1.jpg
Hibberd Planet diesel shunter at WLLR

F. C. Hibberd & Co Ltd was a British locomotive-building company founded in 1927 to build industrial petrol and diesel locomotives.

Contents

Kent Construction and Engineering Co of Ashford, Kent had been reconditioning and reselling former military locomotives sold off as surplus at the end of World War I, though its had also developed its own narrow gauge locomotive design. It closed its works in 1926 and two of the directors of Honeywill Brothers Limited - F.C. Hibberd and D.A. Dwyer (Honeywill had marketed the Kent Construction locomotives) bought out the Kent Construction Business and its stock of locomotives, and in 1927 formed F.C. Hibberd & Co Ltd. [1] In 1932 the company acquired the goodwill of James and Frederick Howard Limited and the company moved to Park Royal, London, and began manufacturing locomotives. [2]

Many of Hibberd's locomotives were small machines with final drive by roller chain but it also built some larger ones with side-rod drive. The latter bore a strong resemblance to Hudswell Clarke products.

Hibberd used the name Planet for their locomotives but this should not be confused with the much earlier Planet steam locomotive.

Other companies

From 1956 Thomas Hill, sold Hibberd locomotives to non-Hibberd customers on an informal commission basis until 1960. The relationship ended because Hibberd were becoming worried that Thomas Hill would sell their own locomotives to customers in preference to the Hibberd product.

The company was acquired by Butterley Engineering in the early 1960s and in 1964 production was moved to Ripley, Derbyshire. The last locomotive built to a Hibberd design was delivered in 1968. [2]

History of the Planet name

The origin of the "Planet" petrol locomotive can be traced back to the Kent Construction and Engineering Company of Ashford, Kent. [3] After World War I, Kent Construction purchased a large number of Government-surplus petrol locomotives which they reconditioned and offered for sale. These included both Motor Rail "Simplex" and American Baldwin Locomotive Works products. Kent Construction later produced a range of locomotives to their own designs. These were based on the Motor Rail "Simplex" but were given the name "Planet". They were sold through Honeywill Brothers of London.

Kent Construction closed in 1926 and "Planet" locomotives were then manufactured by Stableford and Company, wagon builders, of Coalville, Leicestershire until they went out of business in 1928. From this time "Planet" locomotives were built by Bedford Engineering Co Ltd, makers of rail and other cranes, of Ampthill Road, Bedford but they failed in 1932, as did the adjacent huge iron works of James and Frederick Howard whose products had included both narrow gauge and standard gauge locomotives since the mid-1920s. "Planet" locomotives were then built by Hibberd in Park Royal, London including models based closely on the designs obtained from Howard of Bedford.

F.C.Hibberd "Planet" light tractor PlanetTractor.jpg
F.C.Hibberd "Planet" light tractor

In 1935, Hibberd diversified with the production of a light wheeled tractor for use in or between factories, or on the road. [4] This was available initially with a 4-cylinder petrol engine and either pneumatic or solid tyres - layout was conventional with front steering and driven rear axle. The Hibberd light truck was introduced in 1937 with the Model B (of 2 ton capacity) and Model C (of 25-30 cwt capacity) - which were available with fixed or elevating load platforms and with 8 hp petrol or 10 hp horizontally opposed oil engines. [5] Steering and driving was by the closely spaced front wheels. The original tractor design continued in production during and after WW2 and was available with a variety of engines, including a Ford 4-cylinder industrial petrol engine or an oil engine. A flameproof version was available for working in potentially explosive areas. A number of these were bought by British European Airways in 1947 to tow aircraft. [6] The diesel engined version of these tractors (equipped with Fowler-Sanders 2DX engines) was to be adopted by Butlins Holiday Camps and Whipsnade Zoo to tow trains of up to 6 passenger trailers each carrying 12 people. [7] The Butlins trailers were made by Barnards Ltd of Norwich and had vacuum servo brakes operated from the tractor. In 1950 the Fowler engine in the diesel versions of the "Planet" tractor was replaced by the Turner V-twin diesel engine with 4 speed integral gearbox. [8]

A newspaper article about the Hibberd Works in 1951 stated that the Park Royal factory was responsible for design and assembly of the locomotives and tractors, with manufacture of the big components being "farmed out" all over the country. The finished products were assembled at Park Royal with parts from as many as 200 different suppliers. The tractors were still available with solid or pneumatic tyres, petrol (Ford) or diesel engines, and the flameproof version of the diesel tractor specially designed for use in explosives magazines (one of which is pictured being assembled destined for the Indian Army). [9]

The road tractors and the rail locomotives seem to have been numbered in the same sequence.

Preservation in the United Kingdom

Railway Locomotives

Sources for this list include the UK Heritage Railways database. [10] All locomotives are standard gauge except where shown in the notes:

Name or numberIndustrial ownerWorks no.Build dateWheelsPower
(bhp)
Preserved atNotes
Portland Cement, Sittingbourne 15681927 4w PM Leighton Buzzard Light Railway In storage2 ft (610 mm) gauge
No 21 Worthington Brewery, Burton upon Trent 16121929 4w PM Originally Dorman 4JO Chasewater Railway
1830 4w DM Westonzoyland Pumping Station Museum 2 ft (610 mm) gauge
Crowle Brickworks, Scunthorpe 18811934 4w PM Ford 8 hp Crowle Peatland Railway 2 ft (610 mm) gauge
City of Chichester Sewage Works19801936 4w DM Amberley Museum Railway 2 ft (610 mm) gauge
NippyMines and Safety Research, Buxton, Derbyshire 20141936 4w DM 20 hp National Twin-Cylinder Irish Steam Preservation Society 3 ft (914 mm) gauge
Preston Irwell Valley Water Board (ordered by Gravelworks Ltd)20251937 4w DM 12-16 hp Lister CE Twin-Cylinder Diesel Amerton Railway 2 ft (610 mm) gauge
Queen's Pier Tramway, Ramsey, Isle of Man 20271937 4w PM 4-cylinder Ford (car) petrol engine Queen's Pier, Ramsey, Isle of Man3 ft (914 mm) gauge
BerylBournemouth Gas and Water Co then later by Corralls Ltd, Hamworthy, Poole20541938 4w PM 54 hp, 4-cylinder Dorman 4JORX, petrol-paraffin engine Swanage Railway
T1 Shell-Mex and BP 21021938 4w DM 75 hp Buckinghamshire Railway Centre
BerrylandsGLC Berrylands Sewage Works22011939 4w DM 16 hp Lister CE Twin-Cylinder Diesel Devon Railway Centre 2 ft (610 mm) gauge
Tom BombadilButterley & Blaby Brick Companies24151941 4w DM Leighton Buzzard Light Railway 2 ft (610 mm) gauge
CorbiereMinistry of Defence depot, Liphook25281941 4w DM National Twin-Cylinder Old Kiln Light Railway 2 ft (610 mm) gauge
Frank28961944 4w DM 35 hp Nene Valley Railway
4007Canning Town Glass Works31471947 4w DM 52 hp Colne Valley Railway
Carpenter Guinness, Park Royal, London 32701948 0-4-0 DM 144 hp Cholsey & Wallingford Railway
WalrusGuinness, Park Royal, London32711949 0-4-0 DM 144 hpBuckinghamshire Railway Centre
DudleyBarking Power, London32941948 4w DM Waltham Abbey Royal Gunpowder Mills [11]
Ashover Ashover Light Railway 33071948 0-4-0 DM Ffestiniog Railway 1 ft 11+12 in (597 mm) gauge
IvanMetropolitan Water Board, Kempton Park Works33171948 0-4-0 DM 4-cylinder Petrol North Gloucestershire Railway 2 ft (610 mm) gauge
National Benzole Stanlow refinery34381950 4w DM East Lancashire Railway
Ald HagueDukinfield Sewage Works, Ashton-under-Lyne34651950 4w PM Moseley Railway Trust 2 ft (610 mm) gauge
23 Irish Shell 35091951 4w DM 79 hp Railway Preservation Society of Ireland, Whitehead 5 ft 3 in (1,600 mm) gauge
Elizabeth Hartley Quarry, Kirkby Stephen 35981962 0-4-0 DM N.B. - now carries replacement Leyland Bus engine Stainmore Railway Company at Kirkby Stephen East
Upnor Castle Chattenden & Upnor Railway 36871954 4w DM 180 hp Welsh Highland Railway 1 ft 11+12 in (597 mm) gauge
Rochester Castle Royal Navy, Chatham 37381955 4w DM Chatham Historic Dockyard [12]
Upnor Castle Royal Navy, Chatham 37421955 4w DM
Leeds Castle Royal Navy, Chatham 37451955 4w DM
Tarmac Tarmac, Hayes 37651955 4w DM 57 hpBuckinghamshire Railway Centre
Dover Castle Royal Navy, Chatham 37701955 4w DM
Cooling Castle Royal Navy, Chatham 37711955 4w DM
Deal Castle Royal Navy, Chatham 37721955 4w DM
Pluto Royal Navy, Rosyth 37771955/6 4w DM 105 hp Derwent Valley Light Railway, York [13]
37871956 4w DM Hampton Kempton Waterworks Railway 2 ft (610 mm) gauge [14]
Conway Castle Royal Naval Armaments Depot, Ernesettle, Plymouth 38311958 4w DM 180 hp Welsh Highland Railway, Caernarfon 1 ft 11+12 in (597 mm) gauge
Previously KingsleyBritish Industrial Sand Ltd, Redhill38321957 4w DM 117 hp Bideford Railway Heritage Centre [15]
ARC Powell Duffryn38901958 4w DH Garw Valley Railway
Planet/Pluto39471960 4w DM 74.5 hp Dean Forest Railway
Hylton39671961 4w DH Northamptonshire Ironstone Railway Trust
40061963 4w DH Garw Valley Railway
ULLRSanders & Forster Ltd40081963 4w DM 9 hp Lister FR1 Diesel Steeple Grange Light Railway 18 in (457 mm) gauge [16]

Planet Tractors/Trucks

A number of these exist in private ownership. They are very sturdily built.

Original ownerWorks no.Build dateModelPreserved atNotes
30974-cylinder petrolPrivate ownership
Thomas Holmes and Sons tannery, Sculcoates Lane, Hull323019474-cylinder Ford petrolHull Museum (not on display)Registration Number JKH144
Royal Navy dockyardTwin-cylinder Fowler diesel number 2D856Private ownershipFitted with cab
Western Counties Hospital Group in Starcross1948Private ownershipWas road registered
ButlinsLincolnshire Aviation Heritage CentreEngine was at some stage replaced with a 2-cylinder Lister
British Railways1950sV-twin Turner dieselPrivate ownershipRegistration number was HUV266 (British Rail number S761). Used at main stations to move baggage trolleys on the platforms.

Preservation in Ireland

1936 built Planet engine Nippy preserved at Stradbally Co. Laois F.C Hibberd Planet Loco, "Nippy".jpg
1936 built Planet engine Nippy preserved at Stradbally Co. Laois

Nippy, a former Mines and Safety Research engine from Buxton, Derbyshire, works number 2014 and built in 1936, is currently preserved at the Stradbally Woodland Express Railway. It is run on occasion for demonstration purposes. Several Guinness brewery Planets have been preserved also, surviving in the Guinness Storehouse museum, The Ulster Folk and Transport Museum in Cultra Co. Down, and three at the Cavan & Leitrim Railway in Dromod. The former Irish Shell No 23 is preserved at RPSI Whitehead.

Preservation in Italy

Locomotive 3944, built in 1960 is now located as a static 'gate guardian' display at the premises of Vaia Car, Calvisano, in Italy.

Preservation in Australia

Australia

F.C Hibberd 'Planet' 0-4-0DM (1939) circa mid 1980's before it was rebuilt with an ex-WAGR Track Machine 3-cylinder GM 53-series motor F.C Hibberd 'Planet' 0-4-0DM (1939) circa mid 1980's.jpg
F.C Hibberd 'Planet' 0-4-0DM (1939) circa mid 1980's before it was rebuilt with an ex-WAGR Track Machine 3-cylinder GM 53-series motor

In 1976, The Western Australian Light Railway Preservation Society acquired a 1939 model Planet Locomotive [17] from the Kalgoorlie Lake View and Star Gold mine for a total of $500AU, including spares. After considerable restoration work, the locomotive was moved to Whiteman Park in Perth in 1983 and moved under its own power for the first time in 1985. In recent years, the WA Light Railway Preservation Society bought a 1962 model planet locomotive. [18]

The 1939 Planet (now known as Planet #7) is now the mainstay of the Bennett Brook Railway's Diesel Fleet. The 1962 Planet (now known as Planet #8) is now also operational at Bennett Brook Railway. Both locomotives run on 2' gauge track. Over the years, multiple modifications have been made to both of Bennett Brook Railway's Planets, including: The installation of a Vacuum brake system, the addition of a Jones Coupler style coupler along with the already installed Link and Pin couplers and Raising the roof of the cab on Planet #7, and a new cab design and paint scheme to reflect its operating heritage on Planet #8.

There are also 3 preserved Planet locomotives in New South Wales. These were originally imported from the U.K. for construction of the warragamba dam in western Sydney all 3 are standard gauge units, One of them #52 is at the Lachlan Vally Railway in Cowra and is fully operational. [19] Another preserved Planet locomotive is #54 at the Richmond Vale railway line. [20] the third is located at Dorrigo Steam Railway and Museum. [21]

New Zealand

Two Planet locomotives from the Grassmere Salt Works are preserved at the Ferrymead Two Foot Railway in New Zealand. Another is preserved at a pioneer village in Kaikohe. One is preserved at Pukemiro

References

  1. Webb, Brian (1973). The British Internal Combustion Locomotive 1894-1940. David & Charles. ISBN   0715361155.
  2. 1 2 "Buckinghamshire Railway Centre history of F. C. Hibberd & Co. Ltd".
  3. "Planet" Locomotives
  4. "A New Entrant to the Light tractor Field". Commercial Motor. 21 June 1935.
  5. "Low Loader Industrial Truck Reintroduced". Commercial Motor. 30 April 1937. p. 385.
  6. "18 Answers to Internal Transport Problems". Commercial Motor. 22 August 1947. p. 39.
  7. "Tractor Trains for Holiday-Makers". Commercial Motor. 6 September 1946. p. 137.
  8. "Turner Oil Engine in Planet Tractor". Commercial Motor. 10 February 1950. p. 49.
  9. E.T. & B.D. (28 September 1951). "Diesel Locomotives for World". Acton Gazette and West London Post. p. 8.
  10. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 9 January 2009. Retrieved 6 October 2008.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  11. "Royal Gunpowder Mills Waltham Abbey". Archived from the original on 17 April 2009. Retrieved 2009-06-08.
  12. "CHDR: Diesel Locomotives". Archived from the original on 18 May 2010. Retrieved 22 November 2009.
  13. "Pluto 0-4-0DM". Archived from the original on 6 January 2015. Retrieved 6 January 2015.
  14. James, Jonathan (May 2021). Narrow Gauge Railways London and South East England. Narrow Gauge Railway Society.
  15. "Home". bidefordrailway.co.uk.
  16. http://www.steeplegrange.co.uk/locos-hibberd.htm Archived 22 May 2021 at the Wayback Machine Hibberd 4008
  17. "Planet #1". Archived from the original on 15 October 2009. Retrieved 13 June 2010.
  18. "Planet #2". Archived from the original on 15 October 2009. Retrieved 13 June 2010.
  19. "Our Fleet".
  20. "Locomotives and Rolling Stock".
  21. KJ:KJ (17 April 2013). "Dorrigo Railway Museum – Exhibit List No. 39" (PDF).