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|education = |education =
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|parents = |parents = William Cudworth, Mary I'Anson
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|discipline = |discipline = Locomotive engineer
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|significant_advance = |significant_advance = Coal-burning firebox
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}} }}


'''James I'Anson Cudworth''' (12 January 1817 - 22 October 1899) was Locomotive Superintendent of the South Eastern Railway (SER). He served in this capacity from 1845-76. '''James I'Anson Cudworth''' (12 January 1817 - 22 October 1899) was Locomotive Superintendent of the South Eastern Railway (SER). He served in this capacity from 1845-76. He is notable for designing a successful method for burning coal in steam locomotives without significant emission of smoke, and for introducing the 0-4-4T wheel arrangement to English railways.


==Early life== ==Early life==
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By 1855, Cudworth started to introduce more conventional steam locomotives. Fifty three ] goods engines were constructed at Ashford Works between 1855 and 1876. The engines were double framed, with 16" x 24" cylinders. A number of these engines were rebuilt twice, firstly by Cudworth and later by ]. The engines gave over 40 years service on the ]. In 1857, Cudworth introduced a class of 2-4-0s. Forty eight were built by contractors, and 68 were built at Ashford Works between 1857 and 1875. Many of them were rebuilt by Stirling. These engines also gave many years service on the SER.<ref name=Nock/> By 1855, Cudworth started to introduce more conventional steam locomotives. Fifty three ] goods engines were constructed at Ashford Works between 1855 and 1876. The engines were double framed, with 16" x 24" cylinders. A number of these engines were rebuilt twice, firstly by Cudworth and later by ]. The engines gave over 40 years service on the ]. In 1857, Cudworth introduced a class of 2-4-0s. Forty eight were built by contractors, and 68 were built at Ashford Works between 1857 and 1875. Many of them were rebuilt by Stirling. These engines also gave many years service on the SER.<ref name=Nock/>


In 1861, Cudworth introduced a class of 2-2-2 express passenger locomotives with {{convert|7|ft|m|2}} diameter driving wheels. These engines gave over 20 years service on the boat trains serving ] and ], finally being replaced in 1884 by Stirling's ] ].<ref name=Nock/> Cudworth was also responsible for the introduction of the ] wheel arrangement for steam locomotives to English railways, with his ] of 1866.<ref>{{harvnb|Bradley|1985|p=122}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Ahrons |first=E.L. |title=The British Steam Railway Locomotive 1825-1925 |year=1987 |origyear=1927 |publisher=Bracken Books |location=London |isbn=1 85170 103 6 |page=172 |ref=harv }}</ref> In 1861, Cudworth introduced a class of 2-2-2 express passenger locomotives with {{convert|7|ft|m|2}} diameter driving wheels. These engines gave over 20 years service on the boat trains serving ] and ], finally being replaced in 1884 by Stirling's ] ].<ref name=Nock/> Cudworth was also responsible for the introduction of the ] wheel arrangement for steam locomotives to English railways, with his ] of 1866.<ref name=Bradley122>{{harvnb|Bradley|1985|p=122}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Ahrons |first=E.L. |title=The British Steam Railway Locomotive 1825-1925 |year=1987 |origyear=1927 |publisher=Bracken Books |location=London |isbn=1 85170 103 6 |page=172 |ref=harv }}</ref>


Cudworth had three main achievements on the SER: he planned the layout of Ashford Works and brought it to such a standard that the company was able to begin production of its own locomotives in 1853; with two of his classes (the "Standard Goods" 0-6-0 of 1855 and the 118 class 2-4-0 of 1859), practiced locomotive standardisation on a scale unheard of on other contemporary railways; and he designed a firebox which was able to burn coal with little smoke, at a time when coke (a smokeless fuel) was normal for railways, patenting it in 1857. The coal-burning firebox was to prove his downfall. The main feature was a longitudinal vertical partition, which required two firedoors to be provided; the idea was that when one side had burnt down, it could be stoked whilst the other side was at peak temperature and consuming its smoke. It worked well, but was expensive to construct. When other engineers later produced cheaper solutions, Cudworth preferred to stick with his own design rather than change.<ref name=Bradley10 /> Cudworth had three main achievements on the SER: he planned the layout of Ashford Works and brought it to such a standard that the company was able to begin production of its own locomotives in 1853; with two of his classes (the "Standard Goods" 0-6-0 of 1855 and the 118 class 2-4-0 of 1859), practiced locomotive standardisation on a scale unheard of on other contemporary railways; and, at a time when coke (a smokeless fuel) was normal for railways, he designed a firebox which was able to burn coal with little smoke, patenting it in 1857. The main feature of this firebox was a longitudinal water-filled vertical partition (known as a mid-feather), which required two firedoors to be provided; the idea was that when one side had burnt down, it could be stoked whilst the other side was at peak temperature and consuming its smoke. It worked well, but was expensive to construct, which was to prove his downfall. When other engineers later produced cheaper solutions, Cudworth preferred to stick with his own design rather than change.<ref name=Bradley10 />


In 1874, Cudworth was appointed Locomotive Engineer of the SER, with ], son of SER Chairman Sir ] appointed Locomotive Superintendent at a salary of £500.<ref name=Politics/> Cudworth was not one who was disposed to toe Watkin's line, which put a strain on their relationship. In 1876, Watkin persuaded ] of the ] (LNWR) to design a number of 2-4-0 passenger engines for the SER, unbeknown to Cudworth. Orders were placed with ] of ] and ] of ] for ten engines each. The locomotives were very similar to the LNWR's ] locomotives. Known as the ''Ironclads'', they replaced the Singles on the boat trains for a short time, but were quickly relegated to less prestige duties and the Singles resumed their former role.<ref>{{harvnb|Bradley|1985|p=128}}</ref> When Cudworth found out about the engines, he was furious and resigned. It was considered by many on the Board of the SER that Cudworth had been sacked.<ref name=Nock/> Cudworth died on 22 October 1899.<ref name=Index/> In 1874, Cudworth was appointed Locomotive Engineer of the SER, with ], son of SER Chairman Sir ] appointed Locomotive Superintendent at a salary of £500.<ref name=Politics/> Cudworth was not one who was disposed to toe Watkin's line, which put a strain on their relationship. In 1876, Watkin persuaded ] of the ] (LNWR) to design a number of 2-4-0 passenger engines for the SER, unbeknown to Cudworth. Orders were placed with ] of ] and ] of ] for ten engines each. The locomotives were very similar to the LNWR's ] locomotives. Known as the ''Ironclads'', they replaced the Singles on the boat trains for a short time, but were quickly relegated to less prestige duties and the Singles resumed their former role.<ref>{{harvnb|Bradley|1985|p=128}}</ref> When Cudworth found out about the engines, he was furious and resigned. It was considered by many on the Board of the SER that Cudworth had been sacked.<ref name=Nock/> Cudworth died on 22 October 1899.<ref name=Index/>


==Locomotive classes== ==Locomotive classes==
{{under construction |placedby=Redrose64 }}
{| class="wikitable" {| class="wikitable"
|- |-
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| 7 | 7
| 1887-1893 | 1887-1893
| The first use of this wheel arrangement in England.<ref>{{harvnb|Bradley|1985|p=122}}</ref> | The first use of this wheel arrangement in England.<ref name=Bradley122 />
| <ref>{{harvnb|Bradley|1985|pp=122-123}}</ref> | <ref>{{harvnb|Bradley|1985|pp=122-123}}</ref>
|- |-
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==References== ==References==
{{reflist}} {{reflist}}

{{s-start}}
{{s-bus}}
{{s-new|reason=SER gained control of own loco dept}}
{{s-ttl|title=Locomotive Superintendent of the<br />] |years=1845-1876}}
{{s-aft|after=]}}
{{s-end}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Cudworth, James I.}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Cudworth, James I.}}

Revision as of 10:41, 27 January 2010

James I'Anson Cudworth
Born12 January 1817
Darlington
Died22 October 1899
NationalityEnglish
OccupationEngineer
Parent(s)William Cudworth, Mary I'Anson
Engineering career
DisciplineLocomotive engineer
Employer(s)South Eastern Railway
Significant advanceCoal-burning firebox

James I'Anson Cudworth (12 January 1817 - 22 October 1899) was Locomotive Superintendent of the South Eastern Railway (SER). He served in this capacity from 1845-76. He is notable for designing a successful method for burning coal in steam locomotives without significant emission of smoke, and for introducing the 0-4-4T wheel arrangement to English railways.

Early life

Cudworth was born in Darlington on 12 January 1817, the second of three children born to William Cudworth and Mary I'Anson (born 18 November 1785, Darlington). His parents were Quakers, and had married in 1810; William Cudworth was a grocer and druggist, whilst Mary I'Anson's family name was of Scandinavian origin.

Career

Cudworth was apprenticed to Robert Stephenson & Co Ltd from March 1831. After completing his apprenticeship, he became a chargehand at Stephenson's, before being appointed Locomotive Superintendent of the Great North of England Railway in February 1840.

In 1845, Cudworth was appointed Locomotive Superintendent to the South Eastern Railway. In that year, he built the 2-2-2 locomotive White Horse of Kent, which was constructed on the uniflow principle. In 1847, Cudworth established the railway works at Ashford, Kent.

Cudworth's early locomotives were on the Stephenson long-boilered principle. White Horse of Kent was not a success, being described by Daniel Gooch as unsafe. It was later converted to a 2-4-0. The first engines constructed at Ashford Works were 2-4-0s for the Hastings Line. These engines were known as the 59 class. In 1847, the SER purchased a number of 4-2-0 Cramptons from Tulk & Ley, Whitehaven, Cumberland. Cudworth converted four long-boilered 4-2-0s to Cramptons in an effort to improve their riding.

By 1855, Cudworth started to introduce more conventional steam locomotives. Fifty three 0-6-0 goods engines were constructed at Ashford Works between 1855 and 1876. The engines were double framed, with 16" x 24" cylinders. A number of these engines were rebuilt twice, firstly by Cudworth and later by Stirling. The engines gave over 40 years service on the South Eastern Main Line. In 1857, Cudworth introduced a class of 2-4-0s. Forty eight were built by contractors, and 68 were built at Ashford Works between 1857 and 1875. Many of them were rebuilt by Stirling. These engines also gave many years service on the SER.

In 1861, Cudworth introduced a class of 2-2-2 express passenger locomotives with 7 feet (2.13 m) diameter driving wheels. These engines gave over 20 years service on the boat trains serving Folkestone and Dover, finally being replaced in 1884 by Stirling's F class 4-4-0s. Cudworth was also responsible for the introduction of the 0-4-4T wheel arrangement for steam locomotives to English railways, with his 235 class of 1866.

Cudworth had three main achievements on the SER: he planned the layout of Ashford Works and brought it to such a standard that the company was able to begin production of its own locomotives in 1853; with two of his classes (the "Standard Goods" 0-6-0 of 1855 and the 118 class 2-4-0 of 1859), practiced locomotive standardisation on a scale unheard of on other contemporary railways; and, at a time when coke (a smokeless fuel) was normal for railways, he designed a firebox which was able to burn coal with little smoke, patenting it in 1857. The main feature of this firebox was a longitudinal water-filled vertical partition (known as a mid-feather), which required two firedoors to be provided; the idea was that when one side had burnt down, it could be stoked whilst the other side was at peak temperature and consuming its smoke. It worked well, but was expensive to construct, which was to prove his downfall. When other engineers later produced cheaper solutions, Cudworth preferred to stick with his own design rather than change.

In 1874, Cudworth was appointed Locomotive Engineer of the SER, with Alfred Watkin, son of SER Chairman Sir Edward Watkin appointed Locomotive Superintendent at a salary of £500. Cudworth was not one who was disposed to toe Watkin's line, which put a strain on their relationship. In 1876, Watkin persuaded John Ramsbottom of the London & North Western Railway (LNWR) to design a number of 2-4-0 passenger engines for the SER, unbeknown to Cudworth. Orders were placed with Sharp, Stewart of Manchester and Avonside of Bristol for ten engines each. The locomotives were very similar to the LNWR's Precedent Class locomotives. Known as the Ironclads, they replaced the Singles on the boat trains for a short time, but were quickly relegated to less prestige duties and the Singles resumed their former role. When Cudworth found out about the engines, he was furious and resigned. It was considered by many on the Board of the SER that Cudworth had been sacked. Cudworth died on 22 October 1899.

Locomotive classes

Class Stirling
class 		Wheel
arrangement 		Built Builder Total Withdrawn Notes Ref
Cudworth rebuilds of pre-1845 locomotives
White Horse of Kent 2-2-2 1844 R. Stephenson 1 1867 rebuilt 1847 as a 2-4-0
Locomotives built new to Cudworth's order
(no. 88 etc.) 2-2-2 1845-1847 Nasmyth, Gaskell 9 1855-1865 long-boiler; rebuilt 1847-1849; one as Crampton 4-2-0; three as 2-2-2WT; five as 2-4-0
(nos. 46-51) 2-4-0 1845-1846 George Forrester 6 1867-1875 long-boiler
(nos. 1-4) 2-2-2 1845-1846 Benjamin Hick 4 1857-1867 Rebuilt 1847-1849 as 2-4-0
(nos. 119-122)
(nos. 95-100) 		F
  		0-6-0 1845
1846 		Charles Tayleur
Nasmyth, Gaskell 		4
6 		1883
1866-1874 		long-boiler
(nos. 6-8) 2-4-0 1847 Benjamin Hick 3 1865-1867 long-boiler
(no. 21 etc.) 2-4-0 1847-1848 George Forrester 15 1859-1873 one rebuilt 1863 as 2-4-0WT
(no. 68 etc.) 4-2-0 1847 Bury, Curtis & Kennedy 6 1865-1875 Four rebuilt to Crampton type 1848-9; all rebuilt as normal 2-4-0 in 1852-6
(no. 81 etc.) 4-2-0 1850 Tulk & Ley 3 1865-1866 Crampton type
"Coffee Pot" 0-4-0T 1850 Ashford Works, SER 1 1866 First loco built at Ashford. Vertical boiler
"Folkstone" [sic] class C 4-2-0 1851 Robert Stephenson 10 1875-1892 Crampton type with intermediate crankshaft. Nine rebuilt 1868-9 as normal 2-4-0
"Little Mails" 2-2-2 1851
1856-1857 		Sharp Bros
Ashford 		8
6 		1875-1881
"Bulldogs" 0-4-0T 1851 Robert Stephenson 5 1869-1877 Crampton type with intermediate crankshaft. Rebuilt 1859 as normal 0-6-0T
"Hastings" class 2-4-0 1853-1854 Ashford (10); R. Stephenson (4) 14 1868-1881
"Standard goods" I 0-6-0 1855-1876 Ashford 53 1884-1904
(nos. 179-184) D 2-4-0 1857 E.B. Wilson & Co 6 1880-1884
"Little Sharps" 2-4-0 1858-1859 Ashford 6 1879-1884 some parts from old Sharp, Roberts engines
Coupled Express or 118 class E 2-4-0 1859-1875 68 Ashford; 42 contractors 110 1885-1905
"Mail Singles" B
P 		2-2-2 1861-1862
1865-1866 		8 Ashford; 8 contractors 10
6 		1882-1890
1885-1890
205 class G 0-4-2WT 1863-1864 Ashford (2); Avonside Engine Co (10) 12 1883-1888 one rebuilt as 0-4-4WT in 1876
235 class J 0-4-4WT 1866 Brassey & Co 7 1887-1893 The first use of this wheel arrangement in England.
73 class H 0-4-2WT 1867-1869 Ashford 6 1887-1893

The class letters were allotted by James Stirling in September 1879. Classes without such a letter were either extinct, or in the process of withdrawal at that date.

Business positions
Preceded byBenjamin Cubitt Locomotive Superintendent of
South Eastern Railway
1845–1876 		Succeeded byAlfred Mellor Watkin

References

  1. "Our Children's Ancestors & Others Families". Rootsweb. Ancestry.com. Descendant Register, Generation No. 5; items 58 & 100-102. Retrieved 17 January 2010.
  2. ^ Bradley, D.L. (1985) . The Locomotive History of the South Eastern Railway (2nd ed.). London: RCTS. p. 10. ISBN 0 901115 48 7. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  3. Penney, Norman (1920). "The Ianson Family". In Ille, Maureen Lilian (ed.). My Ancestors. pp. 202–219. Retrieved 17 January 2010.
  4. Ille, Maureen Lilian (ed.). "The I'Anson name and its Variants". I'Anson international. Gainsborough. Retrieved 17 January 2010.
  5. ^ "James l'Anson Cudworth". Steamindex. Retrieved 13 January 2010.
  6. ^ Hodgkins, David (February 1955). "Railway influence in parliamentary elections at Grimsby" (PDF). The Journal of Transport History. 23 (2). Manchester University Press: p159-77. Retrieved 13 January 2010. {{cite journal}}: |pages= has extra text (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  7. ^ Nock, O. S. (1961). "VI. Early Locomotives and Trains". The South Eastern and Chatham Railway. London: Ian Allan. pp. 70–79. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameters: |coauthors= and |month= (help)
  8. "Later SDR locomotives (notably those which formed part of NER stock)". Steamindex. Retrieved 13 January 2010.
  9. ^ Bradley 1985, p. 122
  10. Ahrons, E.L. (1987) . The British Steam Railway Locomotive 1825-1925. London: Bracken Books. p. 172. ISBN 1 85170 103 6. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
  11. Bradley 1985, p. 128
  12. ^ Bradley 1985, p. 15
  13. Bradley 1985, p. 32
  14. Bradley 1985, pp. 67–69
  15. Bradley 1985, pp. 66–67
  16. ^ Bradley 1985, pp. 65–66
  17. Bradley 1985, pp. 69–72
  18. Bradley 1985, pp. 72–74
  19. Bradley 1985, pp. 74–76
  20. Bradley 1985, pp. 77–78
  21. Bradley 1985, p. 79
  22. Bradley 1985, pp. 81–83
  23. Bradley 1985, pp. 87–88
  24. Bradley 1985, pp. 83–85
  25. Bradley 1985, pp. 88–90
  26. Bradley 1985, pp. 91–98
  27. Bradley 1985, pp. 99–100
  28. Bradley 1985, pp. 100–101
  29. Bradley 1985, pp. 101–112
  30. Bradley 1985, pp. 113–119
  31. Bradley 1985, pp. 119–121
  32. Bradley 1985, pp. 122–123
  33. Bradley 1985, pp. 123–125
Business positions
New title
SER gained control of own loco dept 		Locomotive Superintendent of the
South Eastern Railway
1845-1876 		Succeeded byAlfred Mellor Watkin
Categories: