George Ivatt
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Henry George Ivatt (4 May 1886 — 4 October 1976) known as George Ivatt, was the post-war Chief Mechanical Engineer of the London, Midland and Scottish Railway. He was the son of his father, H.A. Ivatt, who was also a locomotive engineer.
Biography
Ivatt was born in 1886, the son of Henry A. Ivatt, who in the same year was appointed Chief Mechancial Engineer of the Great Southern and Western Railway in Ireland. He was educated at Uppingham School. In 1904, he started an apprenticeship at the Crewe Works of the London and North Western Railway (LNWR). After working in the drawing office, he became head of experimental locomotive work, and later became Assistant Outdoor Machinery Superintendent.
During the 1914 — 1918 Great War Ivatt served on the staff of the Director of Transport in France. After the war, he became Assistant Locomotive Superintendent of the North Staffordshire Railway (NSR) at Stoke-on-Trent in 1919.
In 1932 Ivatt moved to Glasgow, becoming Divisional Mechanical Engineer, Scotland. He returned to England in 1937 as Principal Assistant for Locomotives to the Chief Mechanical Engineer, William Stanier.
Stanier was replaced by Charles Fairburn as CME, and Robin Riddles was also active. Fairburn died suddenly in October 1945. Ivatt was made CME on 1 February 1946, whilst Riddles, the other candidate for the job, was promoted to Vice-President.
As CME in post-war austerity Britain, Ivatt continued to build standard pre-war types. Two more LMS Princess Coronation Class were built and several modified black fives. LMS Ivatt Class 4 2-6-0 was introduced as well as the "Mickey Mouse" LMS Ivatt Class 2 2-6-0 and LMS Ivatt Class 2 2-6-2T.
Ivatt twins English Electric Diesels numbered 100000 and 1000001.
On nationalisation in 1948, Riddles became CME of British Railways, Ivatt remaining in charge of the London Midland Region until his retirement in 1951. During this period, BR built ex-LMS designs.
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| Preceded by: Charles Fairburn 1944-1945 | Chief Mechanical Engineer of the London, Midland and Scottish Railway 1946-1947 | Followed by: Last. |