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William Bridges Adams

William Bridges Adams (1797-1872) was an English locomotive engineer, and writer. He is best known for his patented Adams axle – a successful radial axle design in use on railways in Britain until the end of steam traction in 1968 – and the railway fishplate. Dissatisfied with the scarf joints then in use for joining iron track, Adams patented a railway fishplate, in the form of an unbolted wedge between adjoining chairs. Although the design was successful, financial difficulties forced Adams to relinquish the patent. Later Adams had patented improved springs. These could also be used on railway carriages, and the manufacture proved profitable. The manufacture was based in the Currier Factory in Drury Lane and Parker Street, Soho. . In 1842 the factory moved from its small premises to three acres of land adjoining the Eastern Counties Railway at Fair Field, Bow. The company now traded as Adams & Co. He founded the Fairfield Locomotive Works in Bow, East London, in 1843, where he specialized in light engines, steam railcars (or railmotors) and inspection trolleys. These were sold in small numbers to railways all over Britain and Ireland. The company was adjudged bankrupt in 1850. Although Adams's inventions  became well-known, the locomotives he produced made little impact. The engineering business failed some years later.

November 16th 2024

 

 
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