Norris Garrett Bell

Bell was born in Dundee, Scotland in 1860, and was educated at the High School of Dundee and Edinburgh Collegiate School, followed by the University of Edinburgh where he studied engineering, and had some experience with railway engineering in Scotland.

[2] Bell went on to become Chief Engineer of the New South Wales Government Rail then of the Commonwealth Railways in March 1914, succeeding Henry Deans.

Bell played a significant role in assisting Sir George Dibbs in founding the Australian Standards Association.

Bell retired in 1929 just after the arrival of the first steam train (NM35) into the tiny town of Stuart (now Alice Springs), and was succeeded by George A. Gahan.

[5] He was a member of Melbourne's Yorick Club, a keen golfer, bowls player and gardener.