John Urpeth Rastrick

He worked independently for a short period, but in 1819 he formed a partnership with James Foster, and he moved his family to Stourbridge.

The new company manufactured an extensive range of products from blast furnaces, and rolling mills, wrought iron rails, 'bearers' (beams) for some of the famous buildings of the age, etc.

In 1829 Rastrick was commissioned with James Walker to report on the economics of using either rope haulage or locomotives on the new Liverpool and Manchester Railway.

After extensive travels to view the early railways of the age their report favoured rope haulage on economic grounds.

He was involved with the design and construction of the Merstham, Balcombe, Clayton and Patcham Tunnels and the Ouse Valley Viaduct along with David Mocatta (architect to the London and Brighton Railway).

[2] Rastrick retired from active life in 1847, moving to Sayes Court, Addlestone, Chertsey in Surrey which was an eight-bedroom mansion in 25 acres (100,000 m2) of grounds.