Springburn Virtual Museum

Railway industry

Locomotives on board the SS Belfri, c 1940s

Once a locomotive had reached the docks, it had to be loaded on board ship. This difficult job was done by stevedores, with supervision by officials from the railway works. Some locomotives would be placed in the lower cargo hold and some would be put on deck, with ordinary cargo in the intermediary hold.

The engines were attached to brackets on the deck or cargo hold by wire ropes, which were tightened with 'bottle screws'. In warm weather the tightness of the ropes had to be constantly checked, as the wire rope could expand and let the locomotive loose. This could cause serious damage and danger to the ship, especially in rough seas.

Placing the engines as deck cargo was cheaper, but was not suitable for all types of engine. The engines were completely exposed to the weather and spray from the sea, and the later electric locomotives were damaged by water getting into the wiring.

Source: Glasgow City Archives