Trailer information needed

[Randy Croke]

Hi all

Our latest find has left us without much information. It's a Russell-Hipwell generator trailer (sorry, no generator) presumably from the Canadian government order(s) during 1939-1945. Some information is available online about the company, but nothing of detail about the trailer or generator set.

I'll attach pictures when I get to a computer. There's a somewhat decent shot of the makers plaque.

Thanks

Randy

[meduffer]

http://www.mapleleafup.net/forums/at...1&d=1313768756

[Robin Craig]

Sorry I'm not about to give you all the info you desire as I don't know.

What I am going to remark on is how lucky you are to find such an item.

Barn and hedgerow finds are tapering off one thinks these days, but people like yourself and Shaun with his UC in a hedgerow are proving that it does pays to keep ones eyes open and venture into the tall grass storage.

R

[Randy Croke]

Hi Robin

I do feel pretty lucky: both the UC and now this trailer have been found right under our noses.

Recovery of the trailer shouldn't be terrible-dig out the wheels, come-along it to a tree until it can be turned through an opening in the fence (the openings not there yet) and then another pull until it can make it onto the trailer. Did I mention the hundreds of of pounds of tree deadfall that have to be cut and moved?

That said we should have it by the end of Tuesday if all goes well.

Craig, I'll shoot you a PM. I'd like to talk about Kingston. I grew up there.

Randy

[meduffer]

[Randy Croke]

First, Robin, I'm sorry about the earlier post above where I addressed you by your surname - I have a close friend whose given name is Craig and I am easily confused.

Second, the trailer came out of the bush much easier than I expected. Mike was observant enough to note a location that he could back the trailer into that was much closer than my planned route. Recoveries are best done in twos it seems. Half a day and some new ramps from Princess Auto and the trailer sits in Mike's driveway.

So the questions remain: how long will Mike's wife let it sit there, what to do with it in the long term,and does anyone have the genset and pieces to go with it?

Randy

[lynx42]

A quick look at Google shows that the company was formed in 1943 to distribute their diesel engines.

http://stevebriggs.netfirms.com/osmr...elhistory.html
Quote:-1943 Russel-Hipwell Engines Ltd. formed to handle the diesel distributorship.

Russel Brothers then decided to erect a large building on the south section of their property and to form another company to build these generator sets to be called Cummins Diesels of Ontario Limited and to operate independently of Russel Brothers Limited. As Russel's were building a number of boats for the Royal Canadian Navy, powered by Cummins diesels, Cummins of Ontario obtained the the exclusive distributor-ship for Cummins Diesels for all of Eastern Canada. They opened a sales and service branch in Haslifax, Nova Scotia. Some years later, as the company was selling and servicing other makes of diesels, the Cummins people objected to their name being used and the name was again changed. This time to Russel Hipwell Engines Limited.

[Randy Croke]

Thanks Rick

We've been in correspondance with Dr. Briggs since we found the unit, but everything he has about the company (and therefore the trailer gensets) is already online. The company records (including contracts) likely still exist, but rest with the last CEO who is not willing to share with anyone.

What might trump this, however, is the fact that the person who ran the generator shop in the factory, is said to be still living in Owen Sound. Seems like a road trip is in order...

Randy