S. D. Holden
Encyclopedia
Stephen Dewar Holden was a British engineer
, the son of the engineer
James Holden
and succeeded his father as locomotive superintendent of the Great Eastern Railway
in 1908, a post he held until his retirement in 1912.
, Cheshire
on 23 August 1870, the third son of James Holden
, who at that time was superintendent of the Great Western Railway
workshops at Chester. After a private education, he attended University College School
, London.
Upon leaving school at the age of 16, he joined the Great Eastern Railway
(GER) at their Stratford Works
, London, where his father had been Locomotive, Carriage and Wagon Superintendent since 1885. There he studied under his father for four years, following which he worked in the drawing office for 18 months; he then became an inspector in the running department. In October 1892 he became Suburban District Locomotive Superintendent; two years later he was transferred to Ipswich, and in July 1897 he returned to London, as divisional locomotive superintendent. Several more promotions - including Chief of the Running Department, and Assistant Locomotive Superintendent - led to him succeeding his father as Locomotive Superintendent from January 1908.
In 1910, Holden was elected a Member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers
. He resigned from the GER in October 1912, being replaced by A.J. Hill
.
Holden died at Rochester, Kent on 7 February 1918; his father died seven years later.
. There were some new designs, the most notable of which was the Class S69 4-6-0
of 1911, the first six-coupled express locomotives on the GER, a total of 81 being built down to 1928; under the LNER, some of these were sent to north-eastern Scotland. Other new designs included two classes of 2-4-2
T, which despite being of different sizes, used similarly-sized cabs: the smaller engines, Class Y65, gaining the nickname "Crystal Palace Tanks" from the relatively large amount of glass for such small engines; the larger 2-4-2T, Class G69, was essentially an updated version of an existing design, as was the last of Holden's new classes, the Class C72
0-6-0T.
Holden also tried some of the recent developments in steam locomotive technology, such as superheaters. A batch of ten Class D56 "Claud Hamilton" 4-4-0s built in 1911 included four with superheaters, two each having the Schmidt and the Swindon pattern superheaters; but from 1914, when further locomotives of the class were fitted with superheaters after Holden's resignation, these were of the Robinson type. Holden and Tiddeman jointly took out a patent (no. 8028) for a superheater design; applied for on 3 April 1912, it was accepted on 3 April 1913.
Of the four new classes, two were subsequently perpetuated by A.J. Hill: there were 66 further Class S69 4-6-0 built between 1913 and 1920, with a final 10 being built for the LNER in 1928; ten Class C72 0-6-0T were built in 1913–14 and ten more in 1923, the latter being delivered to the LNER.
Engineer
An engineer is a professional practitioner of engineering, concerned with applying scientific knowledge, mathematics and ingenuity to develop solutions for technical problems. Engineers design materials, structures, machines and systems while considering the limitations imposed by practicality,...
, the son of the engineer
Engineer
An engineer is a professional practitioner of engineering, concerned with applying scientific knowledge, mathematics and ingenuity to develop solutions for technical problems. Engineers design materials, structures, machines and systems while considering the limitations imposed by practicality,...
James Holden
James Holden (engineer)
James Holden was an English locomotive engineer.He is remembered mainly for the "Claud Hamilton" 4-4-0, his pioneering work with oil fuel, and his unique "Decapod".- Biography :...
and succeeded his father as locomotive superintendent of the Great Eastern Railway
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...
in 1908, a post he held until his retirement in 1912.
Biography
Holden was born at SaltneySaltney
Saltney is a small town in Flintshire, Wales. It is immediately to the west of the border with Cheshire in England and is contiguous with the Chester urban area.The name is derived from the former salt marshes on which it is built, lying on the River Dee...
, Cheshire
Cheshire
Cheshire is a ceremonial county in North West England. Cheshire's county town is the city of Chester, although its largest town is Warrington. Other major towns include Widnes, Congleton, Crewe, Ellesmere Port, Runcorn, Macclesfield, Winsford, Northwich, and Wilmslow...
on 23 August 1870, the third son of James Holden
James Holden (engineer)
James Holden was an English locomotive engineer.He is remembered mainly for the "Claud Hamilton" 4-4-0, his pioneering work with oil fuel, and his unique "Decapod".- Biography :...
, who at that time was superintendent of the Great Western Railway
Great Western Railway
The Great Western Railway was a British railway company that linked London with the south-west and west of England and most of Wales. It was founded in 1833, received its enabling Act of Parliament in 1835 and ran its first trains in 1838...
workshops at Chester. After a private education, he attended University College School
University College School
University College School, generally known as UCS, is an Independent school charity situated in Hampstead, north west London, England. The school was founded in 1830 by University College London and inherited many of that institution's progressive and secular views...
, London.
Upon leaving school at the age of 16, he joined the Great Eastern Railway
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...
(GER) at their Stratford Works
Stratford Works
Stratford Works was the locomotive-building works of the Great Eastern Railway situated at Stratford, London, England. It was opened in 1847-1848 by the GER's predecessor, the Eastern Counties Railway...
, London, where his father had been Locomotive, Carriage and Wagon Superintendent since 1885. There he studied under his father for four years, following which he worked in the drawing office for 18 months; he then became an inspector in the running department. In October 1892 he became Suburban District Locomotive Superintendent; two years later he was transferred to Ipswich, and in July 1897 he returned to London, as divisional locomotive superintendent. Several more promotions - including Chief of the Running Department, and Assistant Locomotive Superintendent - led to him succeeding his father as Locomotive Superintendent from January 1908.
In 1910, Holden was elected a Member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers
Institution of Mechanical Engineers
The Institution of Mechanical Engineers is the British engineering society based in central London, representing mechanical engineering. It is licensed by the Engineering Council UK to assess candidates for inclusion on ECUK's Register of professional Engineers...
. He resigned from the GER in October 1912, being replaced by A.J. Hill
Alfred John Hill
Alfred John Hill was Chief Mechanical Engineer at the Stratford Works of the Great Eastern Railway from 1912-1922.His best-known design is probably the GER Class L77 0-6-2 tank locomotive which was perpetuated by Nigel Gresley of the London and North Eastern Railway after the 1923...
.
Holden died at Rochester, Kent on 7 February 1918; his father died seven years later.
Locomotives
The locomotives produced at Stratford during S.D. Holden's term of office were a continuation of James Holden's designs, due in part to the retention of his father's Chief Draughtsman, E.S. Tiddeman. Repeat orders were placed for older designs, some of which dated back to James Holden's predecessor, T.W. WorsdellThomas William Worsdell
Thomas William Worsdell was a British locomotive engineer. He was born in Liverpool into a Quaker family.-Family:...
. There were some new designs, the most notable of which was the Class S69 4-6-0
GER Class S69
Great Eastern Railway Class S69, also known as 1500 Class, and later classified B12 by the LNER is a class of 4-6-0 steam locomotive designed for passenger work. Originally they were designed by S. D. Holden, but were much rebuilt, resulting in several subclasses.Seventy-one S69 locomotives were...
of 1911, the first six-coupled express locomotives on the GER, a total of 81 being built down to 1928; under the LNER, some of these were sent to north-eastern Scotland. Other new designs included two classes of 2-4-2
2-4-2
Under the Whyte notation for the classification of steam locomotives, 2-4-2 represents the wheel arrangement of two leading wheels on one axle, four powered and coupled driving wheels on two axles, and two trailing wheels on one axle...
T, which despite being of different sizes, used similarly-sized cabs: the smaller engines, Class Y65, gaining the nickname "Crystal Palace Tanks" from the relatively large amount of glass for such small engines; the larger 2-4-2T, Class G69, was essentially an updated version of an existing design, as was the last of Holden's new classes, the Class C72
GER Class C72
The GER Class C72 was a class of thirty 0-6-0T steam locomotives designed by A. J. Hill for the Great Eastern Railway. They passed to the London and North Eastern Railway at the 1923 grouping and received the LNER classification J68.-History:...
0-6-0T.
Holden also tried some of the recent developments in steam locomotive technology, such as superheaters. A batch of ten Class D56 "Claud Hamilton" 4-4-0s built in 1911 included four with superheaters, two each having the Schmidt and the Swindon pattern superheaters; but from 1914, when further locomotives of the class were fitted with superheaters after Holden's resignation, these were of the Robinson type. Holden and Tiddeman jointly took out a patent (no. 8028) for a superheater design; applied for on 3 April 1912, it was accepted on 3 April 1913.
| GER class (LNER) | Wheel arrangement | Years built | Total | Designer | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| D56 (D15) | 4-4-0 | 1908–11 | 50 | J. Holden | |
| C53 GER Class C53 The GER Class C53 was a class of twelve 0-6-0T steam tram locomotives designed by James Holden for the Great Eastern Railway. They passed to the London and North Eastern Railway at the grouping, and received the LNER classification J70.-History:... (J70) |
0-6-0T | 1908–10 | 4 | J. Holden | |
| M15 (F4) | 2-4-2T | 1908–09 | 30 | Worsdell | |
| Y65 (F7) | 2-4-2T | 1909–10 | 12 | S.D. Holden | |
| G58 GER Class G58 The GER Class G58 was a class of 0-6-0 steam tender locomotives designed by James Holden for the Great Eastern Railway. The class consisted partly of new locomotives built 1905–1911 and partly of rebuilds of the earlier GER Class F48, originally built 1900–1903... (J17) |
0-6-0 | 1910–11 | 10 | J. Holden | |
| G69 (F6) | 2-4-2T | 1911–2 | 20 | S.D. Holden | |
| S69 GER Class S69 Great Eastern Railway Class S69, also known as 1500 Class, and later classified B12 by the LNER is a class of 4-6-0 steam locomotive designed for passenger work. Originally they were designed by S. D. Holden, but were much rebuilt, resulting in several subclasses.Seventy-one S69 locomotives were... (B12) |
4-6-0 | 1911–12 | 5 | S.D. Holden | |
| Y14 GER Class Y14 The Great Eastern Railway Class Y14 is a class of 0-6-0 steam locomotive. The LNER classified them J15.The Class Y14 was designed by T.W. Worsdell for both freight and passenger duties - a veritable 'maid of all work'... (J15) |
0-6-0 | 1912 | 10 | Worsdell | |
| C72 GER Class C72 The GER Class C72 was a class of thirty 0-6-0T steam locomotives designed by A. J. Hill for the Great Eastern Railway. They passed to the London and North Eastern Railway at the 1923 grouping and received the LNER classification J68.-History:... (J68) |
0-6-0T | 1912 | 10 | S.D. Holden |
Of the four new classes, two were subsequently perpetuated by A.J. Hill: there were 66 further Class S69 4-6-0 built between 1913 and 1920, with a final 10 being built for the LNER in 1928; ten Class C72 0-6-0T were built in 1913–14 and ten more in 1923, the latter being delivered to the LNER.
External links
- Stephen D. Holden at www.lner.info
- http://www.steamindex.com/people/holden.htm