He was born at Tanfield, County Durham, the son of a colliery owner, and elder brother of Matthew Kirtley (b.
[1] Thomas began his career as an engine driver on the Liverpool and Manchester Railway with his brother.
He founded the locomotive builder Thomas Kirtley and Co. of Warrington in 1837, but this company failed in 1841.
In 1845 he worked for the Trent Valley Railway for Thomas Brassey.
In February 1847 he was appointed Locomotive Superintendent of the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway following the dismissal of John Gray, but nine months later he suffered a brain tumor and died.