John George Barr – Caledonian Railway/L.M.S. Railway

John George Barr was born in Dalhousie Street, Glasgow on 22 January, 1875. He was educated in Perth where his father, Thomas H. Barr had become the Divisional Civil Engineer for the Northern Section of the Caledonian Railway.

He continued his studies as an Engineering Student at University College, Dundee, an affiliated section of St. Andrews University, and later studied at the Royal Technical College in Glasgow.

In September, 1891 he entered the service of the Caledonian Railway Company as a pupil in the Civil Engineer’s Office, Perth.

In October, 1891 he transferred to the Mechanical Engineer’s Department where he completed a full Mechanical Engineer’s apprentice in the Workshops in Perth and later St. Rollox, training in the Blacksmiths, Boiler, Machine, Fitting, Pattern and Engine Building Shops thence to the Drawing Office.

This was followed by a period of two years working in the Engine Shed at Polmadie as a Running Shed Fitter gaining Running and Breakdown experience.

In December 1899 he was appointed Assistant to the District Locomotive Foreman at Hamilton Shed and in the following five years successively occupied the positions of Night Shift Foreman at Dawsholm Shed, Relief Foreman and Locomotive Running Inspector.

From January 1905 to March 1908, he filled the positions of Locomotive Foreman in Dundee and Aberdeen Districts respectively.

In the Spring of 1908 after a further few months as a Locomotive Running Inspector became Running Assistant to the Locomotive Superintendent at the Headquarters at St. Rollox and in May 1914 was appointed Assistant Locomotive Superintendent in Running Matters for the Caledonian Railway.

This position included arrangement and supervision of Engine and Train working, Carriage and Wagon examination and Outdoor Machinery, Pumping and Dock Plants.

The Caledonian Railway developed their Running Shed practice so that, when required, repairs beyond simple running repairs could be undertaken in the Sheds. For this purpose, suitable machines were provided and these, as well as the Engine Hoists and Outdoor plant, were electrically operated wherever current was available for power purposes.

On 1 January, 1923 he became Superintendent of Motive Power (Northern Division) for the combined Companies of the London Midland and Scottish Group which included what was previously the Caledonian, Glasgow and South Western and Highland Companies.

He held this position until he retired on 31 January, 1939.

He was a full Member of the Institute of Locomotive Engineers.

During his career he was involved in two major incidents.

Speaking from his home in Glasgow following his retiral he recalled Britain’s greatest rail disaster which occurred outside Quintinshill Signal Box near Gretna on 22 May, 1915.

‘Four engines, 18 carriages and 20 wagons were piled up following the crash and to make matters worse, the wreckage burst into flames.

The accident occurred in the early hours of a Saturday morning, and it was late in the afternoon before we could make a start clearing up on account of the fire. In many cases all that remained of a body was ashes. By Sunday evening the lines had been cleared.’

He also recalled that in the last week of 1906 there was a heavy snowstorm. The result was that the lines into Aberdeen were blocked and it was several days before the first train managed to get through.

On arrival at Aberdeen the platforms were packed with cheering people.

However, all the railway workers, including himself, who had worked tirelessly night and day to clear the line could think of, was some hot food and a long sleep.

For many years he oversaw the locomotive arrangements in connection with Royal Train journeys in Scotland and travelled many hundreds of miles on these occasions. He was also presented to Royalty several times.

His father was also in charge of Royal Train arrangements and often accompanied Queen Victoria.

At a social meeting in the Ca’dora, Glasgow on Saturday, 28 January, 1939, Mr. J. Noel Philips, operating manager, on behalf of the salaried staff presented him with a wristlet watch together with a diamond ring for Mrs. Barr.

At a dinner held in the Central Station Hotel on 30 January, 1939, he was presented with a silver tea service, a gift from the officers of the L.M.S Railway in Scotland.

A popular and respected official, he received further parting gifts from the drivers, firemen and shed staffs at a ceremony held on Saturday, 4 February, 1939.

He had two daughters, Miss Marion Barr (stage name Seton-Barr) and Mrs Edith Fox nee Barr, both of whom I had the privilege to meet.

John George Barr died on 30 March, 1964, aged 89.

Kenneth G. Williamson

Edinburgh