Today is the birthday of steam locomotive designer C B Collett, famous for designing a number of locomotives for Great Western Railway.

C B Collett was born in 1871 (making him 147 years old!), he began his working career at a London firm of marine engine builders after studying at the City & Guilds College.

Collett moved to Great Western Railway in the drawing office in 1893 as a junior draughtsman before becoming assistant to the chief of the drawing office.

He then became a technical inspector at the locomotive works in June 1900. Later he was promoted to Assistant Works Manager.

In 1919, he was promoted to Deputy Chief Mechanical Engineer (deputy to G J Churchward) before taking over from Churchward as Chief Mechanical Engineer in 1922.

During his time as Chief Mechanical Engineer at Swindon, a number of famous classes of locomotive were introduced. Some iconic ones being the  4-6-0 Castles, Kings, Halls, Granges, and Manors. Some other examples of locomotives that have made their way into preservation were 14xx 0-4-2Ts, 2251 0-6-0s, 57xx 0-6-0PTs, 61xx 2-6-2Ts, 66xx 0-6-2Ts, 72xx 2-8-2Ts, and Dukedog 4-4-0s.

Other vehicles that were introduced were the luxury Ocean Saloons for use on Brunel’s Broad Gauge and the first successful fleet of diesel railcars.

Collett retired in 1941 having brought so many locomotives into use, some of which can still be found today in museums or in use on heritage railways.

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