Thomas Heywood (railway engineer) explained

Thomas Heywood
Nationality:British
Birth Name:Thomas Edward Hett Heywood
Birth Date:29 November 1877[1]
Birth Place:Cardiff, Wales
Death Date:26 November 1953[2]
Death Place:Aberdeen, Scotland
Discipline:Mechanical engineering

Thomas Edward Hett Heywood (29 November 1877 – 26 November 1953) was a British engineer. During his career, he worked for the Taff Vale Railway, the Burma Railway Company, the Great North of Scotland Railway and the London and North Eastern Railway (LNER).[3] [4]

Career

He trained at the Taff Vale Railway under Tom Hurry Riches and won a Whitworth Exhibition gold medal for engineering in 1899. He then worked as a draughtsman and inspector at Cardiff. In 1902, he became Assistant Locomotive, Carriage and Wagon Superintendent of the Burma Railway Company. After returning from Burma he again worked for the Taff Vale Railway as Junior Assistant Superintendent at Penarth Dock. In 1914, he became Locomotive Superintendent of the Great North of Scotland Railway. After the 1923 Grouping, Heywood's post ceased to exist but he became Running Superintendent of the Northern Scottish Area of the LNER.[5]

Innovations

Heywood expanded the use of superheating on the GNSR, and created a new class of superheated 4-4-0 locomotives which became the LNER Class D40.[6]

Retirement and death

He retired in June 1942 and died at Aberdeen in November 1953.[7]

Notes and References

  1. UK, Mechanical Engineer Records, 1847-1930
  2. England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1966, 1973-1995
  3. Web site: Brief Biographies of Major Mechanical Engineers . steamindex.com . 25 May 2024 . Heywood, Thomas Edward Hett .
  4. Web site: Thomas Heywood . Lner.info . 2012-06-27.
  5. lner.info
  6. lner.info
  7. lner.info