John Melling (locomotive engineer)
John Melling (1782-1856) was the locomotive superintendent for the Liverpool and Manchester Railway (L&MR) and contributed several railway engineering patents.[1] Melling was a key person in the operation of the L&MR through the early pioneering days of the L&MR.
John Melling | |
|---|---|
 A photo taken of John Melling (locomotive engineer) | |
| Born | 1782 |
| Died | 1856 |
| Nationality | British |
| Engineering career | |
| Employer(s) | Liverpool and Manchester Railway |
Life
editMelling was born in 1782.[2]
In 1833 the L&MR's first locomotive foreman was sacked for gross misconduct, and Melling was appointed to the twin roles of Superintendent of the Engine Shops and Locomotive Foreman.[3] Dawson describes his role as an "unsung hero of the Liverpool and Manchester" in keeping trains moving on the railway during his tenure in that position until January 1840.[2]
In 1833 Melling was to produce a design for an improve firebox for locomotives using hollow, water-filled fire-bars, and an ash-pit integrated into the boiler, the L&MR's management committee instructing this design of a "model firebox" was to be fitted to Experiment.[4]
In December 1839 Melling was given notice to quit within three months, with John Dewrance appointed "Locomotive Superintendent and Foreman of the Engine Shops" in January 1840.[5] Upon leaving Melling and son Thomas were to establish Rainlhill Iron Works.[6]
Melling died in 1856.[2]
Family
editMelling's son also named John was appointed to the Dublin and Kingstown Railway (D&KR) in Ireland to relieve Bergin of his direct oversight of the company's mechanical side, a position he was to hold until January 1840 with various commendations until resigning in January 1840 due to bookkeeping irregularities to be succeeded by Richard Pim, a relative of James Pim, the D&KR's treasurer.[7][a] His son Thomas was at one time his assistant but left to work for the Grand Junction Railway.[8]
References
editNotes
editFootnotes
edit- ^ Dawson 2019.
- ^ a b c Dawson 2021, p. 19.
- ^ Dawson 2021, pp. 19, 85.
- ^ Dawson 2021, p. 53.
- ^ Dawson 2021, p. 103.
- ^ Thomas 1980, p. 138.
- ^ a b Murray 1981, p. 186.
- ^ Dawson 2021, p. 85.
Sources
edit- Dawson, Anthony (2019). Locomotives of the Victorian Railway: the early days of steam. Amberley. ISBN 9781445677613. OCLC 1078552123.
- Dawson, Anthony (2021). Locomotives of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway. Yorkshire: Pen & Sword Transport. ISBN 9781526763983. OCLC 1190858980.
- Murray, Kevin (1981). Ireland's First Railway. Dublin: Irish Railway Record Society. ISBN 0-904078-07-8. OCLC 25224606.
- Thomas, R. G. H. (1980). The Liverpool & Manchester Railway. London: B. T. Batsford. ISBN 0713405376. OCLC 6355432.