James Moore (engineer)
Encyclopedia
James Moore was an engineer responsible for the first steam railway to operate in Australia.
James Moore C.E. was a nephew of Sir William Cubitt
, under whom he was engaged on the South Eastern
and Great Northern
railways in Britain, and presumably learnt his trade there. Moore was appointed as Chief Engineer for the Melbourne and Hobson's Bay Railway Company
in Melbourne, Australia, in March 1854, replacing a William Snell Chauncy
, who had resigned the engineership of the line under a cloud as the work on the railway pier had proven useless. It was said of Moore that he was a man of whose abilities rumour speaks favourably. Moore was responsible for completing the railway line between the city and Sandridge, as well as the main deep-water pier on Hobson's Bay at Sandridge
. He can also be credited with the first locomotive in the Australian colonies when he attached a pile driving steam engine to one of the heavy railway trucks, to assist in construction of the line.
At the opening of the line in September 1854, he was presented with an engraved watch with the inscription: 'James Moore, Esq. Engineer of the Melbourne & Hobson's Bay Railway by the Commissioners as a token of their esteem and in commemoration of his having opened the first Railway in the Australian Colonies Sept. 12th 1854'. However not long after this he was replaced on 12 December 1854, by William Elsdon
, possibly due to some perceived incompetence.
Little is known of Moore's later career, although he is noted as having been late resident engineer of the Windsor and Richmond Railway (in New South Wales) and then superintendent of works on the Southern extension of the New South Wales Great Southern Railway
into the town of Goulburn.
A James Moore is also credited with building the Victorian Railways
Administration Offices
in Spencer Street, Melbourne. However, although commissioned in 1886, building only started in 1888 and was not completed until 1893, so it is possible that this was a different James Moore.
Moore died in Lismore, New South Wales
in 1887, having been resident at the country property Jesswoolgan, near Alstonville, New South Wales
for some time, and was referred to as for many years civil engineer of the Railway Department in Sydney.
James Moore C.E. was a nephew of Sir William Cubitt
William Cubitt
Sir William Cubitt was an eminent English civil engineer and millwright. Born in Norfolk, England, he was employed in many of the great engineering undertakings of his time. He invented a type of windmill sail and the prison treadwheel, and was employed as chief engineer, at Ransomes of Ipswich,...
, under whom he was engaged on the South Eastern
Great Eastern Railway
The Great Eastern Railway was a pre-grouping British railway company, whose main line linked London Liverpool Street to Norwich and which had other lines through East Anglia...
and Great Northern
Great Northern Railway (Great Britain)
The Great Northern Railway was a British railway company established by the Great Northern Railway Act of 1846. On 1 January 1923 the company lost its identity as a constituent of the newly formed London and North Eastern Railway....
railways in Britain, and presumably learnt his trade there. Moore was appointed as Chief Engineer for the Melbourne and Hobson's Bay Railway Company
Melbourne and Hobson's Bay Railway Company
The Melbourne and Hobson's Bay Railway Company was a railway company in Victoria, Australia. The company was founded on 20 January 1853 to build Australia's first railway broad gauge line from Melbourne to the port of Sandridge...
in Melbourne, Australia, in March 1854, replacing a William Snell Chauncy
William Snell Chauncy
William Snell Chauncy was an English civil engineer responsible for a number of important engineering works including the first steam railway opened in Australia.-Early life and work:...
, who had resigned the engineership of the line under a cloud as the work on the railway pier had proven useless. It was said of Moore that he was a man of whose abilities rumour speaks favourably. Moore was responsible for completing the railway line between the city and Sandridge, as well as the main deep-water pier on Hobson's Bay at Sandridge
Sandridge
Sandridge is a small village and civil parish between St Albans and Wheathampstead in Hertfordshire, England, United Kingdom.-Early history:...
. He can also be credited with the first locomotive in the Australian colonies when he attached a pile driving steam engine to one of the heavy railway trucks, to assist in construction of the line.
At the opening of the line in September 1854, he was presented with an engraved watch with the inscription: 'James Moore, Esq. Engineer of the Melbourne & Hobson's Bay Railway by the Commissioners as a token of their esteem and in commemoration of his having opened the first Railway in the Australian Colonies Sept. 12th 1854'. However not long after this he was replaced on 12 December 1854, by William Elsdon
William Elsdon
William Elsdon ) was an English and Australian civil engineer. He was also an architect and railway engineer.-Family life and education:...
, possibly due to some perceived incompetence.
Little is known of Moore's later career, although he is noted as having been late resident engineer of the Windsor and Richmond Railway (in New South Wales) and then superintendent of works on the Southern extension of the New South Wales Great Southern Railway
Main Southern railway line, New South Wales
The Main Southern Railway is a major railway in New South Wales, Australia. It runs through the Southern Highlands, Southern Tablelands, South West Slopes and the Riverina regions.- Description of route :...
into the town of Goulburn.
A James Moore is also credited with building the Victorian Railways
Victorian Railways
The Victorian Railways operated railways in the Australian state of Victoria from 1859 to 1983. The first railways in Victoria were private companies, but when these companies failed or defaulted, the Victorian Railways was established to take over their operations...
Administration Offices
67 Spencer Street
67 Spencer Street is the former head offices of the Victorian Railways, located on Spencer Street, Melbourne, Australia. Today it is used as a hotel and apartments...
in Spencer Street, Melbourne. However, although commissioned in 1886, building only started in 1888 and was not completed until 1893, so it is possible that this was a different James Moore.
Moore died in Lismore, New South Wales
Lismore, New South Wales
Lismore is a subtropical town in northeastern New South Wales, Australia. Lismore is the main population centre in the City of Lismore local government area. Lismore is a regional centre in the Northern Rivers region of the State.-History:...
in 1887, having been resident at the country property Jesswoolgan, near Alstonville, New South Wales
Alstonville, New South Wales
Alstonville is a town located in northern New South Wales, Australia, part of the region known as the Northern Rivers. Alstonville is located on the Bruxner Highway between the town of Ballina and city of Lismore . The village of Wollongbar is situated 4 km to the west of Alstonville...
for some time, and was referred to as for many years civil engineer of the Railway Department in Sydney.