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William Adams: His Life and Locomotives: A Life in Engineering 1823-1904

William Adams: His Life and Locomotives: A Life in Engineering 1823-1904

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  • More about William Adams: His Life and Locomotives: A Life in Engineering 1823-1904


William Adams (1823-1904) was a locomotive engineer who designed for the London & South Western Railway. He is known as the father of the suburban train and pioneered the use of continuous train brakes, developed efficient locomotive boilers, and invented the bogie with controlled side-play. Adams also designed locomotive and carriage works at all three railways, improving efficiency and reducing costs.

Format: Hardback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 12 September 2023
Publisher: Pen & Sword Books Ltd


William Adams (1823 – 1904) is widely recognized for his remarkable contributions to locomotive engineering, particularly his designs for the London & South Western Railway. His tenure at Nine Elms marked the pinnacle of a career that commenced in marine engineering, encompassing a period at sea with the Royal Sardinian Navy, followed by roles in civil engineering and surveying before joining the North London Railway as the locomotive, carriage, and wagon superintendent. Adams is often hailed as the father of the suburban train, a visionary engineer who pioneered the use of continuous train brakes, designed efficient and robust locomotive boilers for services requiring rapid acceleration and frequent stops, and revolutionized locomotive design with his invention of a bogie with controlled side-play. After his stint at the Great Eastern Railway, Adams relocated south of the Thames to Nine Elms, where he oversaw the construction of over five hundred locomotives based on his designs. His later express classes are widely regarded as his greatest achievement. Beyond his engineering prowess, Adams demonstrated exceptional skills in designing locomotive and carriage works at all three railways, enhancing efficiency and reducing costs. This captivating book delves into the life of a genial man with a deep passion for music, solidifying his status as one of the preeminent locomotive engineers of the late Victorian era.

Weight: 822g
Dimension: 179 x 254 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781399071963

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