GNR Locomotives

On the death of Mr. Patrick Stirling at the close of the year 1895, Mr. H. A. Ivatt was appointed locomotive engineer of the Great Northern Railway. At the time of accepting this new and distinctly honourable post of succeeding so distinguished a locomotive superintendent as Mr. Stirling, Mr. Ivatt held the same position on the G. S. and W. Railway of Ireland, and the new chief of the G. N. loco, department brought with him from across the Irish Sea a  reservedly high reputation which has certainly suffered in no degree from his change of scene. As some time had necessarily to elapse, however, before he was able completely to relinquish his former duties to take up the newer, it was not until the close of 1896 that any engine exclusively of his design made its appearance on the Great Northern metals. In the interval a certain number of engines were, indeed, placed upon the line, but they were practically built to Mr. Stirling’s standard patterns.

From Bird’s Locomotives of the Great Northern Railway.