{"product_id":"wainwright-and-his-locomotives-9780711014183","title":"Wainwright and his Locomotives","description":"\u003cp\u003eHarry Smith Wainwright became Locomotive, Carriage and Wagon Superintendent of the South Eastern and London, Chatham \u0026amp; Dover Railways on 27 December 1898. The two companies, after the weakening rivalries and duplications of the 19th century, were in the process of forming a working union and Wainwright's first job was the mammoth task of fusing the two companies' already mixed collections of locomotives, with all the associated problems of administration and logistics. This huge portfolio fell on the shoulders of a man who moved in the highest social circles — some would call him a socialite. His flamboyant dress of wing-collar, cravat, waxed moustache and stylish overcoat may not have been well received by the work-force, but his magnificent locomotives endeared the distant Locomotive Superintendent to the men who served under him. His rebuilds of older designs and new classes — produced in close collaboration with his chief draughtsman Robert Surtees — were bedecked in a distinctive livery which blended all the various components into an overall unity. His own creations —especially his masterpiece, the 'D' class —reached a climax of craftsmanship some would argue has never been exceeded in quality since. Unfortunately, in the very size of the task entrusted to him lay the seeds of his eventual resignation. The latter stages of his superintendency were less auspicious than the beginning: the lean beast of economy had become 'apparent; the administration was creaking; and Wainwright's personal fortunes were at low ebb — his wife left him and he was suffering from a weak heart. On 30 November 1913 Wainwright agreed to retire, the official reason being ill-health. His legacy to us today is in the overall design and finish of his beautiful engines. Seven are preserved, five at the Bluebell Railway, while at the National Railway Museum, one breathtaking glimpse of the splendour of the 'D' class 'Coppertop' No 737 serves to remind future generations of the high standards of our Edwardian railways. Wainwright's name was commemorated too, by BR in August 1963 when 'USA' class 0-6-0T No 30070 was named Wainwright. Happily it as well is preserved, at Rolvenden.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHardback with dust jacket, 112 pages, black \u0026amp; white photographs\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCondition: Good\/Very Good, past owner's sticker IFC\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Ian Allan","offers":[{"title":"Secondhand (282)","offer_id":2486647455774,"sku":"9780711014183","price":7.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1910\/7111\/products\/9780711014183.jpg?v=1681489199","url":"https:\/\/rail-books.co.uk\/products\/wainwright-and-his-locomotives-9780711014183","provider":"Rail Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}