Six men held this post during the existence of the Great Northern Railway.
Until 1868 engines were obtained from outside manufacturers, but after this date were increasingly built at the railway's own Doncaster Works, commonly known as the "Plant".
Some engines acquired second-hand or from absorbed companies have been omitted from these lists.
Bury resigned after it was discovered he had placed orders for parts with his own firm, rather than another one which had offered a lower bid.
Many were rebuilt by Ivatt with larger, domed boilers, and were placed in a different class as shown in the table.