James Clayton MBE (17 November 1872 – 12 October 1946) was an English mechanical engineer who worked extensively on railway locomotives.
Clayton was born in Stockport, Cheshire[1] and attended the Technical School in Manchester and thereafter served an apprenticeship at Beyer Peacock, becoming a draughtsman in their drawing office.
Following this, he was hired by Cecil Paget, Chief Superintendent of the Midland Railway, to work on his high pressure multi-cylinder locomotive.
During his time with the Midland, he spent two years in charge of the casualty and investigation section, and was appointed Assistant Chief Locomotive Draughtsman in 1907.
He was also very active in the Institution of Locomotive Engineers, serving as a member of its Council and later a Vice President.