1934
Undercarriage strut developed using a free floating piston by Oleo’s founder Peter Thornhill.
This breakthrough was the seed of invention which eventually led to the Oleo rail buffer.
1951
Patent lodged by Peter Thornhill for hydraulic railway buffer
1951
First railway buffers are tested by British Rail
1952
Business becomes known as Oleo Pneumatics Limited
1957
Heavy Wagon buffers are produced
1960
1000 hydraulic buffers to British Rail per week
1961
First Oleo Draft Gear produced for British Rail guard vans
1964
Oleo adapted standard rail buffers to suit the industrial market
1964
Introduction of type 5 UIC 526 buffer (multiplying valve)
1966
Introduced 400mm stroke buffer
