Daniel Gooch

Sir Daniel Gooch ( born August 24, 1816 in Bedlington, Northumberland, † October 15, 1889 possibly in Clewer Park, Windsor ) was 1837-1864 first chief engineer of the Great Western Railway from 1865 to 1889 and its chairman as well as a British Member of Parliament.

Career

Born the son of an iron moulder, he assumed the engineering craft in various companies, including a period in Robert Stephenson's workshop. At the age of only 21, he was hired by Isambard Kingdom Brunel for the Great Western Railway. His first time there was spent to keep the procured Brunel collection of different broad gauge steam locomotives in working order. Based on the proven, supplied by Stephenson GWR Star class he designed and built in 1840 the GWR Firefly Class, a 1A1 express locomotive. In comparison tests, the associated Ixion this series showed greater speeds capable than their standard gauge competitors. 1843 led Gooch also a new, eponymous locomotive control.

In 1840 Gooch was also responsible for the Swindon Railway Works and 1846 for the design of the first there completely built locomotive, the prototype GREAT WESTERN GWR Iron Duke Class, a 2A1 - machine, capable of a speed of 70 mph ( 112 km / h ) reached.

1865 recalled to Great Western as its Chairman, Gooch saved the company from bankruptcy, and devoted his attention especially the construction of the Severn Tunnel. The English broad gauge rail system only found out after Gooch's death his demise. Gooch was 1865/66 also involved in the successful laying of the first transatlantic cable to the Great Eastern, and was chief engineer and later Chairman of the Telegraph Construction Company.

Familial and politics

Gooch married in 1838 Margaret Tanner and, after her death in 1868, in 1870 Emily Burder; which in turn died in 1901. Gooch's brothers John Viret Gooch, Thomas Longridge Gooch and William Frederick Gooch were also railway engineers. Gooch was from 1865 to 1885 Member of the Conservative Party in the House of Commons for Cricklade and was appointed in 1866 in recognition of his services in the overseas cable laying a baronet. From 1859 he lived in Clewer Park in Windsor.

  • Railway engineer
  • Member of the House of Commons (United Kingdom)
  • Conservative Party Member
  • Baronet
  • Briton
  • Born in 1816
  • Died in 1889
  • Man
Windsor (Berkshire) Mechanical engineering Valve gear Swindon Works SS Great Eastern Name Authority File
215148
de