Herbert William Garratt
Encyclopedia
Herbert William Garratt was an English mechanical engineer
and the inventor of the Garratt
system of articulated locomotives.
Garratt began his engineering career by serving an apprenticeship under John Carter Park, then locomotive superintendent of the North London Railway
, from 1879-1882 at the North London Railway Bow works
. Further experience found him serving at Doxford
's marine engineering
works in Sunderland, and later as an inspector for Sir Charles Fox
and Sir Alexander Rendel
. Garratt transferred to the Argentine Central Railway
in 1889, where he became Locomotive Superintendent
in 1892, and between 1900 and 1906 he worked for railways in Cuba
, Lagos
, and Lima (Peru). In 1902, Garratt was elected to membership of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers. He returned to England in 1906 and worked as an inspecting engineer for the New South Wales Government Railways
.
saw substantial usage in many in regions throughout Africa, South America, Asia, and the South Pacific where difficult terrain impeded railroad travel. In particular, the locomotive's articulated nature allowed it to navigate rail lines with sharp and frequent curves more easily than designs which lacked articulation. The ability to transverse previously impassable regions of land via railroad allowed for increased traffic of human activity and settlements, drastically reducing the isolated nature of previously remote areas of the world.
Additionally, the Garratt saw significant usage in economically developing countries due to extensive reliance on narrow gauge rail in these locales. The Garratt boasted high efficiency within its class and rail gauge, making its usage economically attractive in counties which would otherwise have to run larger numbers of locomotives per train or convert their existing rail lines to a larger gauge. This acted in part as an incentive for further rail expansion, and by extension, societal and economic expansion.
Mechanical engineering
Mechanical engineering is a discipline of engineering that applies the principles of physics and materials science for analysis, design, manufacturing, and maintenance of mechanical systems. It is the branch of engineering that involves the production and usage of heat and mechanical power for the...
and the inventor of the Garratt
Garratt
A Garratt is a type of steam locomotive that is articulated in three parts. Its boiler is mounted on the centre frame, and two steam engines are mounted on separate frames, one on each end of the boiler. Articulation permits larger locomotives to negotiate curves and lighter rails that might...
system of articulated locomotives.
Garratt began his engineering career by serving an apprenticeship under John Carter Park, then locomotive superintendent of the North London Railway
North London Railway
The North London Railway was a railway company that opened lines connecting the north of London to the East and West India Docks. The main east to west route is now part the North London Line. Other lines operated by the company fell into disuse, but were later revived as part of the Docklands...
, from 1879-1882 at the North London Railway Bow works
Bow railway works
Bow railway works was at Bow, an area of London, England, in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. It was built in 1853 by the North London Railway....
. Further experience found him serving at Doxford
William Doxford & Sons
William Doxford & Sons Ltd, often referred to simply as Doxford, was a British shipbuilding company.-History:The Company was established by William Doxford in 1840. From 1870 it was based in Pallion, Sunderland, on the River Wear in Northeast England. The Company was managed by William Doxford's...
's marine engineering
Naval architecture
Naval architecture is an engineering discipline dealing with the design, construction, maintenance and operation of marine vessels and structures. Naval architecture involves basic and applied research, design, development, design evaluation and calculations during all stages of the life of a...
works in Sunderland, and later as an inspector for Sir Charles Fox
Sir Charles Fox
Sir Charles Fox was an English civil engineer and contractor. His work focused on railways, railway stations and bridges.-Biography:...
and Sir Alexander Rendel
Alexander Meadows Rendel
Sir Alexander Meadows Rendel was a British civil engineer.Rendel was born in Plymouth. He was the eldest son of the engineer James Meadows Rendel and his wife Catherine Harris...
. Garratt transferred to the Argentine Central Railway
Argentine Central Railway
The Argentine Central Railway was a narrow gauge railroad in the United States built from the Colorado and Southern Railway at Silver Plume, Colorado to Waldorf, Colorado and onward to the summit of Mount McClellan. Construction began on August 1, 1905 and the line was opened a year later on...
in 1889, where he became Locomotive Superintendent
Chief Mechanical Engineer
Chief Mechanical Engineer and Locomotive Superintendent are titles applied by British, Australian, and New Zealand railway companies to the person ultimately responsible to the board of the company for the building and maintaining of the locomotives and rolling stock...
in 1892, and between 1900 and 1906 he worked for railways in Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
, Lagos
Lagos
Lagos is a port and the most populous conurbation in Nigeria. With a population of 7,937,932, it is currently the third most populous city in Africa after Cairo and Kinshasa, and currently estimated to be the second fastest growing city in Africa...
, and Lima (Peru). In 1902, Garratt was elected to membership of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers. He returned to England in 1906 and worked as an inspecting engineer for the New South Wales Government Railways
New South Wales Government Railways
The New South Wales Government Railways was the government department that operated the New South Wales Government's railways until the establishment of the Public Transport Commission in 1972. Although later known officially as the Department of Railways, New South Wales, it was still generally...
.
Impact
Garratt's design for an articulated steam locomotiveGarratt
A Garratt is a type of steam locomotive that is articulated in three parts. Its boiler is mounted on the centre frame, and two steam engines are mounted on separate frames, one on each end of the boiler. Articulation permits larger locomotives to negotiate curves and lighter rails that might...
saw substantial usage in many in regions throughout Africa, South America, Asia, and the South Pacific where difficult terrain impeded railroad travel. In particular, the locomotive's articulated nature allowed it to navigate rail lines with sharp and frequent curves more easily than designs which lacked articulation. The ability to transverse previously impassable regions of land via railroad allowed for increased traffic of human activity and settlements, drastically reducing the isolated nature of previously remote areas of the world.
Additionally, the Garratt saw significant usage in economically developing countries due to extensive reliance on narrow gauge rail in these locales. The Garratt boasted high efficiency within its class and rail gauge, making its usage economically attractive in counties which would otherwise have to run larger numbers of locomotives per train or convert their existing rail lines to a larger gauge. This acted in part as an incentive for further rail expansion, and by extension, societal and economic expansion.