Henry Edward Cusack
Henry Edward Cusack | |
|---|---|
| Born | 6 November 1865[1] |
| Died | 1954 |
| Nationality | Irish |
| Occupation | Engineer |
| Engineering career | |
| Discipline | Locomotive engineering |
Henry Edward Cusack, or Edward Cusack as he was more commonly known, was a Locomotive Superintendent of the Midland Great Western Railway (MGWR).[3][4]
Life
Edward Cusack was born on 6 November 1865. He was educated at Clifton College, Bristol, England.[1] His father, Sir Ralph Smith Cusack was Chairman of the MGWR from 1865 to 1905 and his brother-in-law, Major Major James William Henry Claud "H.C." Cusack was Deputy Chairman of the MGWR from 1905. His mother was Elizabeth Barker[5][6] He served a four-year apprenticeship with Kitson and Company, England, followed by two years at Crewe, then returned to Ireland as a junior draughtsman in 1890.[3] He married Constance Louisa Vernon in 1892.[1] When Martin Atock announced his intended retirement from the MGWR Henry Edward Cusack was appointed his joint first assistant locomotive engineer with Basil Hope from the North Eastern Railway. Martin Atock's son, Thomas, was appointed as second assistant. Cusack rose to take the Chief Mechanical Engineers position from 1905-1915 and was replaced by the young draughtsman W. H. Morton who rose to support him.[4]
Engineering
Cusack oversaw the introduction of MGWR Class D on the transition from his predecessor Martin Atock. The first attributed locomotive to his era was the MGWR Class A, the largest 4-4-0 in Ireland at the time of introduction in 1902. The smaller MGWR Class C 4-4-0 followed from 1909. His era also saw the MGWR Class B goods 0-6-0, an attempt at a larger freight engine. It is generally noted W. H. Morton is likely to have assisted Cusack with practical design input.[4]
Cusack was responsible for the design of a Royal Train prepared for the visit of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra in 1903 with a12 wheel saloon reputed to be the most luxurious in Ireland. As well as 6 wheel carriages he also designed the coaches for the MGWR "limited mail" express train in 1900. His coach designs typically had a distinct roof profile, somewhat flat for most of top but tightly curved at the sides.[1][3]
References
- ^ a b c d "A genealogical survey of the peerage of Britain as well as the royal families of Europe - Person Page - 37754". The Peerage. Henry Edward Cusack. Retrieved 22 October 2017.
- ^ "Residents of a house 18 in Belmont Terrace, N.C.R. (Glasnevin, Dublin)". Census National Archives of Ireland. Retrieved 22 October 2017.
- ^ a b c Shepherd, Ernie (1994). The Midland Great Western Railway of Ireland - An illustrated History. Midland Publishing Limited. pp. 88–90, 93–97. ISBN 1-85780-008-7.
- ^ a b c Clements, Jeremy; McMahon, Michael (2008). Locomotives of the GSR. Colourpoint Books. pp. 179–181. ISBN 9781906578268.
- ^ "A genealogical survey of the peerage of Britain as well as the royal families of Europe - Person Page - 37754". The Peerage. Ralph Smith Cusack. Retrieved 23 October 2017.
- ^ Tatlow, Joseph (12 July 2012) [1920]. "XXVII". Fifty Years of Railway Life in England, Scotland and Ireland (Classic Reprint). Forgotten Books. ASIN B008RFOF9W.