Summary
Robert Sinclair (1 July 1817 – 20 October 1898) was born in London but came from a Caithness family. He became Chief Mechanical Engineer of several British railways and also worked in France. He retired to Italy, where he died.[1]
Robert Sinclair | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1 July 1817 London, England |
| Died | 20 October 1898 (aged 81) |
| Nationality | British |
| Education | Charterhouse School |
| Occupation | Engineer |
| Engineering career | |
| Discipline | Mechanical engineering |
Career edit
Early years edit
He was apprenticed to a shipbuilder and later worked for Robert Stephenson, the Grand Junction Railway and the Paris and Rouen Railway.[1]
Chief mechanical engineer edit
He was Chief Mechanical Engineer of the Caledonian Railway (CR) from 1847–1856, the Eastern Counties Railway (ECR) from 1856–1862 and, following a merger of railways, of the Great Eastern Railway (GER) from 1862–1865.[2]
Consulting engineer edit
Sinclair resigned from the GER 1865, and became a consulting engineer. In this capacity, he designed a fast 2-4-2 locomotive for the Great Luxemburg Railway, and an outside cylinder 2-4-0 for the East Indian Railway. The Luxembourg 2-4-2 design was later adapted into a 2-4-2T for commuter services on the GER.[3]
Locomotive designs edit
- Caledonian, see Locomotives of the Caledonian Railway
- ECR/GER, see Locomotives of the Great Eastern Railway
Innovations edit
Sinclair was an early user of:[1]
- the Giffard injector
- the use of steel for railway axles and wheel tyres
- roller bearings for carriages