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This works was opened by R & W Hawthorn of Newcastle to assemble locomotives built at their principal works. This saved the sea journey of fully assembled locomotives from Newcastle. The works was located on the south bank of the Water of Leith just east of Junction Bridge.

It became operated by a new independent company, Hawthorns & Co, in 1850. The works was sold as, with the completion of the Royal Border Bridge, locomotives could be sent directly to Scotland by rail. The Leith works was not connected directly to the railway network but had lines within its site. There was a quayside on the north side of the works on the Water of Leith.

It continued producing locomotives until 1872 (some sources suggest the 1880s). Following this production was of marine engines.

There were two buildings, one by Junction Bridge and another to the east. The eastern building survived until the early 1980s, its site is now flats.

The eastern part of the site is now housing and the west the former State Cinema.

Locomotives were built for companies such as:
Under R & W Hawthorn:
Wishaw and Coltness Railway North British Railway
Under Hawthorns & Co:
Deeside Railway Inverness and Aberdeen Junction Railway Inverness and Nairn Railway London, Chatham and Dover Railway Perth, Almond Valley and Methven Railway Scottish North Eastern Railway

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