Everard Calthrop
Calthrop was a notable promoter and builder of narrow-gauge railways, especially of 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) narrow gauge, and was especially prominent in India.
[2][3] Calthrop started work with Robert Stephenson and Company and then was apprenticed to the London & North Western Railway at Crewe in 1874.
The Great Indian Peninsula Railway suggested that he either return to his duties as a locomotive inspector or, with their support, resign to further promote branch lines.
Working as a consultant he then supervised the construction of the 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) gauge horse-powered Nasik Tramway, using his previous survey.
[3] Returning to the United Kingdom in 1892, Calthrop established a railway engineering consulting practice in Liverpool, where three of his brothers had started a stockfeed company.
[3] While Calthrop was resident in Liverpool, the Chamber of Commerce was concerned future expansion was being limited by the railway companies that linked that city with Manchester, and invited proposals for alternative methods for moving goods.
Calthrop proposed a system of narrow-gauge railways linking the two cities, running along streets directly serving factories.
Further, he argued that using a track gauge of 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) gave the greatest capacity as a percentage of capital cost.
In 1895, negotiations reached a satisfactory conclusion, and Calthrop formed a new company to build the Barsi Light Railway, and employed himself as consulting engineer.
The goods rolling stock was constructed on common 25 by 7 feet (7.6 m × 2.1 m) pressed steel underframes, reducing tare weight and maximising potential wagon loads.
Calthrop recognised the importance of railways in warfare, and designed the rolling stock to facilitate the movement of troops and equipment.
[5] Rolling stock rode on pressed-steel Fox bogies, using the Timmis system of double coiled springs.
[9] The Barsi Light Railway opened in 1897, and was extended on a number of occasions until it reached a total length of 202 miles (325 km) in 1927.
[14] Calthrop was appointed to advise on engineering matters for this 750 mm (2 ft 5+1⁄2 in) gauge Egyptian light railway, construction of which began in 1898.
The Fayoum Light Railway served an irrigation district south of Cairo, centred on the provincial capital of Medinet-el-Fayum.
Under the influence of one of the Light Railway Commissioners the company directors commissioned a report on the proposed line from Calthrop in mid-1900.
Calthrop proposed specifications for the line which would result in substantial savings in construction costs, and so he was offered the position of engineer, which he promptly accepted.
Unusually for a railway for which Caltrhrop was consulting engineer, it was of 2 ft (610 mm) gauge, with tight curves and 1 in 20 (5%) grades.
Calthrop designed a 0-6-0T with Klein-Linder articulated coupled axles to provide a flexible wheelbase, and four were supplied by Orenstein & Koppel.
On 12 July 1910 Calthrop accompanied him to the Bournemouth International Aviation Meeting, and was present when Rolls died after he lost control of his biplane and crashed.
Calthrop was encouraged to remain quiet about his invention, but faced with increasing losses of pilots he publicised the parachute in 1917.
Despite a campaign by some pilots, the Royal Flying Corps declined to introduce parachutes during World War I, although air forces of most other nations did so.
[21] Calthrop's "Guardian Angel" parachute received much praise and was used during the war to drop agents behind enemy lines.
In October 1918 an article on use of parachutes[22] stated that the "Guardian Angel" was one of the best known and that "balloonists can take their perilous leap, when attacked by a Hun scout, with real confidence in a safe landing".
Calthrop was a prominent member of the Arab Horse Society, and received commendations for his stallion, Fitz, at its first show in 1919.
Failing health forced him to resign his position as consulting engineer for the Barsi Railway in 1925, although he remained a director.
