Avonside Locomotive Works

In 1882 Avonside made the first of the unusual Guinness-designed locomotives for shunting in their brewery either on the narrow gauge, or in converter bogies on the standard gauge. The engine was a success, but the remainder were built by William Spence in Dublin.

The company carried on the previous firm's policy of concentrating on smaller engine types of various gauges, and saw some success in exporting their locomotives all over the world as far afield as South America. One such customer was the Guaqui–La Paz Railway in Bolivia. Other engines built for overseas included a Heisler locomotive, developed for use on sugar estates in hot climes. Closer to home, locomotives were supplied to the War Department in 1915, fitted with Parsons four-cylinder internal combustion engines. The 0-4-0 type was popular, Cadburys of Bournville ordered an 0-4-0T in 1926 and the Great Western Railway were supplied with six 0-4-0Ts in the 1920s.

The Avonside Locomotive Works was badly affected by the 1930s Great Depression and went into voluntary liquidation in November 1934. The Fishponds plant and buildings were sold off in 1935 and the goodwill, drawing and patterns purchased by the Hunslet Engine Company.