In 1911, engineer Ernest E. Baguley set up Baguley Cars Ltd, taking over the assets of the defunct Ryknield Motor Company on Shobnall. The company continued production of a range of motor vehicles with now superior four cylinder petrol engines.
Baguley four cylinder car. 1912
In 1912, Baguley entered an agreement to manufacture railcars for Drewry Company. The same year, Baguley acquired the stock, order books, designs and patents of McEwan Pratt which was in liquidation. Baguley formed a new subsidiary – McEwan Pratt Ltd – to fulfil existing orders. Leonard Bentall, the McEwan Pratt draughtsman, became the chief draughtsman of Baguley and led the design of future locomotives.
Baguley started to build its first petrol hydraulic locomotive in 1919 but because the production of large transmission components had been severely disrupted by World War I leading to long delays, it was converted mid-production to a steam engine. The company went on to build 31 steam locomotives.
After the War there was a decline in the production of road vehicles due to competition from other larger manufacturers. This was balanced by an increase in the demand for railway equipment. This shift led to the company name being changed to Baguley Engineers Ltd on 10 April 1923.
Baguley steam locomotive. 1927
During the 1920s there was some friction because Drewry complained that Baguley was failing to produce more modern designs of engine and chassis. Drewry began to move their business to the English Electric Company but went into decline before finally going into liquidation in 1931. Most of the plant and effects were sold at auction on 10 November 1931.
Baguley employees who built the last locomotive before the company closed in 1931.
W.E.C Souster, the previous Managing Director, and his brother Frederick C. Souster, revived the company shortly after its liquidation with W.E.C Souster serving as chairman and the brothers as co-managing directors. The new company, registered on 30 April 1932, was named E. E. Baguley Ltd. located in Clarence Street, a smaller premises still in Burton. It was initially set up as a maintenance and repair business for Baguley locomotives but soon expanded into production of diesel locomotives and rail inspection vehicles for Drewry.
In 1934 E. E. Baguley Ltd. moved to larger premises at Uxbridge Street, Burton-on-Trent where it survived until January 1964 when it was acquired by Drewry Ltd to form Baguley-Drewry Limited. The company finally closed in 1984.