Martin Atock
| Martin Atock | |
|---|---|
| Born |
1836[1] Preston, Lancashire, England |
| Died | 1901 [1] |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation | Engineer |
| Engineering career | |
| Discipline | Locomotive engineering |
| Projects | MGWR locomotives |
| Significant design | 'Fly away' cab |
| Significant advance |
Standardisation Regular stock renewal |
Martin Atock was an English railway engineer, who is best known as the Locomotive Superintendent of the Midland Great Western Railway (MGWR) from 1872 to 1900.[1]
Life
Atock was born in 1836 in Preston, Lancashire and moved to Stratford, London when his father became Carriage and Wagon Superintendent of the Eastern Counties Railway. His working career begun as a draughtsman for the Great Eastern Railway. He married in 1859. In 1861 he was appointed as Locomotive Superintendent to the Waterford and Limerick Railway, relocating to Limerick. His final post was of Locomotive Superintendent of the Midland Great Western Railway at Broadstone works from 1872. Following his retirement in 1900 he died in November 1901 following a short trip to London.[1][2]
Family
Several members of the Atock/Attock family were involved in railway engineering, including his son Thomas on the MGWR.[3]
Engineering
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The fly-away cab was the most distinctive attribute of a Martin Atock locomotive. They were problematic running in reverse and new locomotives and rebuilds after his departure quickly changed to a conventional square cab design.[1][2]
Atock is credited with bringing a degree of standardisation to the MGWR. He implement a policy of renewing or rebuilding rolling stock every 20 years or so. He was aided by the expansion of Broadstone works in 1878 maling it more suitable for the contructions of locomotives.[1][2]
It can be said Atock never designed as bad locomotive at the MGWR. He moved away from the 4-2-0 preference of his predecessor, favoured 0-6-0 for freight and 2-4-0 for passenger/mixed passenger during his tenure. He produced a useful 0-6-0T for branch and shunting. He seemed to avoid 4-4-0 and all bogie designs until the final design of his era, there are various speculations whether this was due to the influence of his successor Cusack or the success of the 4-4-0 elsewhere. On his retirement all MGWR locomotives were of his design apart from MGWR Class H that he had recommended be purchased for a bargain price.[2][1]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Shepherd, Ernie (1994). The Midland Great Western Railway of Ireland - An illustrated History. Midland Publishing Limited. pp. 85–88. ISBN 1-85780-008-7.
- 1 2 3 4 Clements, Jeremy; McMahon, Michael (2008). Locomotives of the GSR. Colourpoint Books. pp. 179–181. ISBN 9781906578268.
- ↑ Shepherd, Ernie. The Atock/Attock Family: A Worldwide Railway Engineering Dynasty (Oakwood Library of Railway History). The Oakwood Press. ISBN 978-0853616818.
| Preceded by Robert Ramage |
Locomotive Superintendent of Midland Great Western Railway 1872-1900 | Succeeded by Edward Cusack |