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| From the Philip Fry Collection |
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| From the Philip Fry Collection (gently enhanced) |
The Philip Fry Collection: Industrial Pride (c. 1910)
This rare photograph captures the workforce at a pivotal moment in the history of the Lancing Works. Initially, the site was dedicated solely to the construction and repair of wagon stock, but by 1910, the mission had expanded to include the complex construction and repair of railway carriages.
The Foreman: Standing out on the far left, distinguished by his bowler hat, is the foreman, Mr Leppard.
The Crew: Pictured outside the Paint Shop, these men were the predecessors to the painters we see in the 1940s ledgers, establishing the high standards of finish that the Lancing Coachworks would become famous for.
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| From the Philip Fry Collection |
The Wheel Shop: Engineering Precision (c. 1910)
While the Paint Shop staff focused on the finish, the men of the Wheel Shop were responsible for the very foundation of the railway. This area was dedicated to the high-stakes task of machining wheels between centres on a massive wheel-turning lathe.
Standard Profiles: Every wheel seen here was machined to a precise gauge. This ensured a standard profile that allowed for safe, smooth running on the railway tracks.
Industrial Scale: The image captures the transition of the Lancing Works into a major hub for the construction and repair of carriages, where the heavy lifting of the wheelsets met the fine-tuned machining of the lathes.
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| From the Philip Fry Collection |
This second view of the Wheel Shop captures a fascinating era of experimental engineering. At this time, Lancing was producing "wood block wheels"—a hybrid design featuring a steel outer rim with a wooden interior.
The Steam Era Standard: These wood-centered wheels were perfectly adequate for the steady pace and braking of steam-hauled trains.
The Impact of Electrification: The arrival of electric trains changed everything. Faster speeds and more frequent, forceful braking caused the outer steel rings to heat up dramatically.
A Fire in the Works: This heat was so intense it began to char the inner wooden blocks, eventually forcing the Works to transition to the all-steel wheels that became the standard for modern carriage construction.
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| From the Philip Fry Collection |
The Final Roll-Out: Logistics of the Coachworks (c. 1910)
In this perspective, we see the finished wheelsets being manoeuvred out of the Wheel Shop. The shop floor was a hive of activity where the heavy engineering of the lathes met the careful logistics of the assembly line.
The Flow of Production: The wheels are seen here on the main tracks, being moved toward the next stage of carriage construction.
Specialised Infrastructure: Note the smaller "inner track" running between the main rails. This was designed for a trolley truck, which carried the heavy axles as they waited to be fitted with their respective wheels.
- A Community of Skill: The men pictured here represent the teamwork required to move these multi-ton components safely and efficiently through the works.
Part 1b: The Philip Fry Collection – Industrial Pride
We are incredibly grateful to Phil for trusting us with these high-resolution originals from his private archive. By sharing them here, we ensure that the legacy of the Lancing workforce is preserved for future generations.
The Precision of the Wheel Shop (c. 1910)
These images capture the sheer scale and technical discipline required to keep the Southern Railway moving.
Machining the Monster: The work involved machining massive wheels between centres on a wheel-turning lathe. Every wheel was machined to a strict gauge to ensure a standard profile for safe running on the tracks.
The Shift to Steel: Early wheels used a steel outer rim with a wooden interior, which worked well for steam. However, the faster speeds and fiercer braking of electric trains caused the steel to heat up so intensely that it charred the wood, forcing a transition to the all-steel wheels Lancing became known for.
The Workflow: Finished wheelsets were manoeuvred out of the shop on main tracks. A clever "inner track" was used for trolley trucks, allowing a few skilled men to move heavy axles with precision.
The Human Element: Paint Shop Staff
In this 1910 staff photo, we see the faces of the men who established Lancing’s reputation for excellence. Standing on the far left in the bowler hat is the foreman, Mr Leppard. At this time, the works were expanding from wagon repair to the full-scale construction of passenger carriages.
The Payday Ritual: The Payment Tin
Phil has shared a rare survivor of the Works’ daily life—a Payment Tin.
The Process: After handing in their pay slip, workers were handed this tin, which contained their wages.
Identity: The lid featured a brass plate stamped with the worker's unique works number (this one is 2446).
The Cycle: Once the wages were removed, the tin was returned to the pay clerk to be prepared for the following week.
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| From the Philip Fry Collection |
The Friday Exchange: 54 Hours and a Heavy Tin
"This 1950 Pay Ticket belongs to Derek Fry (Works No. 2381), and it tells a story far beyond simple pounds and pence. Looking closely at the 'Chief Mechanical Engineer’s Dept' stamp and the 54½ hours clocked, you can almost feel the pace of the Lancing shop floor.
The ritual was unchanging: Derek would sign his counterfoil and hand it to the pay clerk. In return, he’d receive a heavy brass Payment Tin, much like the one pictured here (No. 2446). Inside would be his week's wages, minus small but vital deductions for the 'Railway Convalescent Homes' and the 'H.S.A.'—a reminder that the 'Steel Ring' was a community that looked after its own long after the whistle blew."
| Item | Focus | Key Figure |
| 1950 Payslip | Chief Mechanical Engineer’s Dept | Derek Fry (No. 2381) |
| Payment Tin | The Physical Reward | Works No. 2446 |
See Also: To see the faces of the men who operated these "monsters of steel" during their downtime,
visit [Part 9: The Social Heart of South Street], where we look inside the Railwaymen’s Association (The Green Turtle) and the payday rituals of the Lancing workforce.
- Part 1b - Images From The Philip Fry Collection (you are here)
Part 2: The Bofors Gun & The War Effort - Part 8 : The Final Reveal – The Skeletons in the Garden
- Part 9: From the 'Running Man' to the 'Rocket Dance'
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Deepen Your Research: The Philip Fry Bibliography
If you would like to delve deeper into the rich history of Lancing and the technical evolution of the Carriage Works, we highly recommend the following titles by Philip Fry. Part of the acclaimed "Britain in Old Photographs" series, these volumes offer a comprehensive look at our village through the lens of the McCarthy Brothers (1908–1931) and beyond.
Whether you choose to buy your own copies or borrow them from the local library, these are essential resources for any Lancing history enthusiast.
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| Lancing & Sompting ISBN 0-7509-0940-4 |
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| Lancing & Sompting a second selection ISBN 0-7509-1363-0 |
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| Lancing: A Photographic History The McCarthy Brothers 1908 - 1931 ISBN 978-1-3999-7048-8 |
| Book Title | Author | Focus |
| Lancing: A Photographic History | Philip Fry | The McCarthy Brothers 1908 - 1931 |
| Lancing & Sompting | Philip Fry | Britain in Old Photographs series |
| Lancing & Sompting: A Second Selection | Philip Fry | Further archival selections |
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