Thomas Whitelegg
Encyclopedia
Thomas Whitelegg was born around 1836-7 in Manchester
England, Thomas died at his home in Highgate village in London on 30 March 1911, aged 74. Thomas was the Locomotive, Carriage & Wagon and Marine Superintendent for the London, Tilbury and Southend Railway
which today is known as c2c. He began his career as an engineering pupil at the locomotive manufacturering firm Sharp Stewart and Company in Manchester, later becoming a leading erector in that firm. Thomas would later erect a locomotive that was exhibited at the Manchester Exhibition of 1862. He later went on to work for Neilson and Company
at their Glasgow factory as well as for Hamilton Windsor Ironworks Co. in Garston, Liverpool (whilst working here his son Robert Harben Whitelegg was born) and where he gained experience in marine engineering and design of pontoons and piers; this was followed by a period of employment for Ruston Proctor & Co
in Lincoln. Whilst he was there he worked on the designs of locomotives that were being built for the Great Eastern Railway
. He then obtained employment in the drawing office of the GER Works at Stratford, London
where he remained until September 1879 when he was then appointed as the Locomotive Carriage & Wagon and Marine Superintendent for the LT&SR at their Plaistow
Works. He was in fact the first locomotive superintendent for the LT&SR because from its opening in 1854 until 1875 the line was worked by their contractors Peto, Brassey & Betts. From 1875 until Thomas was appointed the LT&SR rolling stock was hired from the GER. Thomas introduced the highly successful outside cylinder 4-4-2T type which became the mainstay of the LTSR passenger services.
Thomas retired in July 1910. Upon his retirement, his son Robert Harben succeeded him as the Locomotive, Carriage & Wagon Superintendent
A British Rail Class 357
Electrostar EMU (number 357 029) currently operating on the c2c
service from Fenchurch Street to Shoeburyness is named in honour of Thomas Whitelegg.
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
England, Thomas died at his home in Highgate village in London on 30 March 1911, aged 74. Thomas was the Locomotive, Carriage & Wagon and Marine Superintendent for the London, Tilbury and Southend Railway
London, Tilbury and Southend Railway
The London, Tilbury and Southend Railway is an English railway line linking Fenchurch Street railway station in the City of London with northeast London and the entire length of the northern Thames Gateway area of southern Essex. It is currently known as the Essex Thameside Route by Network Rail...
which today is known as c2c. He began his career as an engineering pupil at the locomotive manufacturering firm Sharp Stewart and Company in Manchester, later becoming a leading erector in that firm. Thomas would later erect a locomotive that was exhibited at the Manchester Exhibition of 1862. He later went on to work for Neilson and Company
Neilson and Company
Neilson and Company was a locomotive manufacturer in Glasgow, Scotland.The company was started in 1836 at McAlpine Street by Walter Neilson and James Mitchell to manufacture marine and stationary engines...
at their Glasgow factory as well as for Hamilton Windsor Ironworks Co. in Garston, Liverpool (whilst working here his son Robert Harben Whitelegg was born) and where he gained experience in marine engineering and design of pontoons and piers; this was followed by a period of employment for Ruston Proctor & Co
Ruston (engine builder)
Ruston & Hornsby, later known as Ruston, was an industrial equipment manufacturer in Lincoln, England, the company's history going back to 1840. The company is best known as a manufacturer of narrow and standard gauge diesel locomotives and also of steam shovels. Other products included cars, steam...
in Lincoln. Whilst he was there he worked on the designs of locomotives that were being built for the Great Eastern Railway
Great Eastern Railway
The Great Eastern Railway was a pre-grouping British railway company, whose main line linked London Liverpool Street to Norwich and which had other lines through East Anglia...
. He then obtained employment in the drawing office of the GER Works at Stratford, London
Stratford, London
Stratford is a place in the London Borough of Newham, England. It is located east northeast of Charing Cross and is one of the major centres identified in the London Plan. It was historically an agrarian settlement in the ancient parish of West Ham, which transformed into an industrial suburb...
where he remained until September 1879 when he was then appointed as the Locomotive Carriage & Wagon and Marine Superintendent for the LT&SR at their Plaistow
Plaistow, Newham
Plaistow is a place in the London Borough of Newham in east London. It formed part of the County Borough of West Ham in Essex until 1965.Plaistow is a mainly residential area, including several council estates; the main road is the A112 - Plaistow Road, High Street, Broadway, Greengate Street and...
Works. He was in fact the first locomotive superintendent for the LT&SR because from its opening in 1854 until 1875 the line was worked by their contractors Peto, Brassey & Betts. From 1875 until Thomas was appointed the LT&SR rolling stock was hired from the GER. Thomas introduced the highly successful outside cylinder 4-4-2T type which became the mainstay of the LTSR passenger services.
Thomas retired in July 1910. Upon his retirement, his son Robert Harben succeeded him as the Locomotive, Carriage & Wagon Superintendent
A British Rail Class 357
British Rail Class 357
The British Rail Class 357 "Electrostar" alternating current electric multiple units were built by ADtranz at their Litchurch Lane Works in Derby, England, in two batches from 1999 to 2002 at a cost of approximately £292 million...
Electrostar EMU (number 357 029) currently operating on the c2c
C2c
c2c is a British train operating company that is part of the National Express Group. It provides passenger rail services on the London, Tilbury and Southend Railway line from Fenchurch Street railway station in the City of London to east London and the entire length of the northern Thames Gateway...
service from Fenchurch Street to Shoeburyness is named in honour of Thomas Whitelegg.