Lesney Factory Photo's Matchboxkiwi

[matchboxkiwi]

Here is anew section to show some of the Lesney Factory photo's I have.
I hope you enjoy them.

2317.JPG (139.4 KiB) Viewed 2714 times

This is probably the second most famous Lesney factory after the main one on Lee Concervency Road.
This is the famous Hommerton Wharf factory . It backed right on to the canal and all the zinc bars were bought up the canal from London.
The Lesney gift ware products made there as was the industrial die cast parts operation which was still going into the early part of this century.

2318.JPG (78.66 KiB) Viewed 2714 times

This is the Rayleigh factory. It was a drawing room and tool room.
Looking through these photo's they look like they were taken around the mid 70's. I know around 1976/77 Lesney did like a stock take of their factories so these are likely some of the photo's. They were taken over a period of time as some seem to taken in winter - no leaves on the trees and others in summer - leaves on the trees.

2319.JPG (117.35 KiB) Viewed 2714 times

Eastway Road factory. The first factory bought. Tool Room, Foundry, Personal and Wages.

2320.JPG (79.08 KiB) Viewed 2713 times

Ladysmith Road, Enfield. Tool room

2321.JPG (80.77 KiB) Viewed 2713 times

Elevated view from the A102 duel carriage way of the Lee Conservency road building. Dock way loading bay below building.

2322.JPG (94.02 KiB) Viewed 2713 times

Abbey Wood factory. Have no notes on what went on at this factory. Any information on this factory would be good.

Let me know if this is the type thing you want to see.
There are more factory photo's and when I finish showing these I can show you what it was like inside the factory's, if there is enough interest.

Cheers, Steve
Matchboxkiwi

[GHOSTHUNTER]

Thank's Steve, this is just what we want. With your permission I will do a little bit of post production on some of them such as putting them straight and painting out any distractions, just for clarity.

Ghosthunter.

[matchboxkiwi]

Go for it Kevin. It would be good if you could put the colour in to them too.

Cheers, Steve
Matchboxkiwi

[GHOSTHUNTER]

Go for it Kevin. It would be good if you could put the colour in to them too.

Cheers, Steve
Matchboxkiwi

...I'm not that good!

Ghosty.

[matchboxkiwi]

IMG_2323.JPG (96.21 KiB) Viewed 2708 times

The Waterden Road factory. The first purpose built research and development building. This photo looks like it was taken in the winter.

IMG_2324.JPG (99.7 KiB) Viewed 2708 times

This is the same factory but it looks like it could be summer as all the windows are open.

IMG_2325.JPG (118.22 KiB) Viewed 2708 times

This is the Tottenham Road factory. Note the flood light from the football ground at the top right hand corner of the photo.

IMG_2314.JPG (106.63 KiB) Viewed 2708 times

The Chingford Road factory. An important factory for Yesteryear collectors as this is where their beloved models were assembled.

IMG_2326.JPG (80.23 KiB) Viewed 2708 times

Unknown factory. Can you help me identify it?


Cheers, Steve
Matchboxkiwi

[matchboxkiwi]

Here are some more photo's of Matchbox factories I took in September 2003. At this stage a number of factories had been demolished to make way for the 2012 Olympic village.

IMG_2699.JPG (114.63 KiB) Viewed 2659 times

IMG_2700.JPG (130.15 KiB) Viewed 2659 times

IMG_2701.JPG (102.12 KiB) Viewed 2659 times

Eastway, Hackney - old Matchbox Factories, September 2003.

IMG_2706.JPG (153.77 KiB) Viewed 2616 times

IMG_2702.JPG (90.61 KiB) Viewed 2659 times

IMG_2703.JPG (109.38 KiB) Viewed 2659 times

IMG_2704.JPG (127.9 KiB) Viewed 2659 times

Eastway, Hackney. The old Matchbox Factories are being demolished to make way for the Olympic village should London get the games for 2012!
These are my notes at the time! We all know what happened.

IMG_2705.JPG (55.79 KiB) Viewed 2659 times

Corner of Eastway and Waterden road looking back at the rear end of the factories - September 2003

Cheers Steve
Matchboxkiwi

[matchboxmarcel]

super posting Steve , many thanks !
The 1st time I went to this area was in 2004 only.

Scroll down to aprox 2/3 of this and you will see more:

http://hackneywick.blogspot.nl/2008_12_01_archive.html

marcel

[matchboxkiwi]

Here are some more of what I call my modern matchbox factory photo's.

IMG_2706.JPG (94.85 KiB) Viewed 2628 times

Waterton Road factory - July 2003

IMG_2707.JPG (92.14 KiB) Viewed 2628 times

Eastway factory - July 2003

IMG_2708.JPG (87.63 KiB) Viewed 2628 times

What I consider the second most famous factory after Lee Conservancy Road. It is of course the Homerton Road factory. You can see the housing estate along side the canal which is where the most famous factory of all stood - Lee Conservancy Road.

My notes say; In 1986 the main Lee Conservancy Road factory stood where the houses are. By 1989 on my second visit the houses were built. This photo is taken in July 2003.

IMG_2709.JPG (111.01 KiB) Viewed 2628 times

Homerton Road Factory still standing and operating today - July 2003.

IMG_2710.JPG (100.15 KiB) Viewed 2628 times

This is what I found inside the factory. This is what Lesney Products produces today - die cast industrial parts the same as it did in 1969 when this factory opened - July 2003

IMG_2711.JPG (92.35 KiB) Viewed 2628 times

IMG_2712.JPG (73.09 KiB) Viewed 2628 times

IMG_2713.JPG (92.18 KiB) Viewed 2628 times

More items that Lesney Products still make today - July 2003
I remember walking in off the street, there was a reception room which had the above items displayed but nothing else. I opened a door and walked straight out on to the factory floor. It was very noisy and not much light. I saw some very old die casting machines and wondered if they could have made some of the matchbox toys I had.
Someone spotted me and came over. I didn't notice them at first I was so busy looking around. I'm sure they must have turned around to their boss and said we've got another Matchbox nutter here! At the time I worked with the England football team at Bisham Abbey national sports centre preparing the training grounds. Luckily I had some old washers from the sprinkler system in my pocket so I made up a story about needing some washers of a different size and thickness. They gladly help and gave me some product catalogues. Needless to say they are tucked away in my collection.

Cheers, Steve
Matchboxkiwi

[ritchie]

thanks for sharing your wonderful experiences and photos!

[matchboxkiwi]

Ritchie, your very welcome. Stay tuned as there are more to come!

Cheers, Steve
Matchboxkiwi