In 2022 we were connected about the repair and restoration of a length of cast iron railings which had been struck by a truck damaging both the railings themselves and the brick wall into which they were set.
After removing the railings, sandblasting them and assessing the damage the original makers mark was uncovered, identifying the railings as being the work of the Saracen/ Walter McFarlane foundry of Glasgow. Established in 1850 W MacFarlane & Co. Ltd went on to become one of the biggest producers of cast iron goods in the world, exporting its products all over the British empire and wider world. Examples of his work are common around Cork and the rest of Ireland.
While the railing was badly damaged by the collision there were also pieces that were entirely missing. We had all missing components recast in cast iron using the originals as a pattern. In total there were 32 new components cast.
In order to properly repair the railing we braised everything back together as opposed to welding. Due to the severity of the damage there was a total of 86 braise joints.
Once all the repairs were carried out the railing was painted and reset into the wall which was rebuilt following the collision.
