John Lambie
John Lambie (1833-1895) was a Scottish engineer.
He was born in Saltcoats, Ayrshire, in 1833 and died in Glasgow on 1 February 1895. He was Locomotive Superintendent of the Caledonian Railway from 1891 to 1895
1833. Born in Ayrshire village of Saltcoats.
1840. He moved with the family to Motherwell when his father became traffic manager of the newly-opened Wishaw and Coltness Railway, which was absorbed by the Caledonian system in 1848.
Entering the railway service in his thirteenth year - just after his father's death - he spent five years apprenticeship as a fitter in the works at Holytown Bridge, and soon after was made a foreman. After filling three similar positions of increasing responsibility, be became assistant locomotive superintendent, and ultimately head of the department in 1891.
On the Caledonian Railway this department embraces the building and upkeep of all the rolling stock, and the arrangements for running. Under Mr. Lambie's regime many improvements were made in the rolling stock; locomotives were built -unsurpassed in the kingdom for power and speed, and carriages with every modern luxury and convenience. He showed the greatest sympathy and interest in everything tending to the welfare of the thousands whose activities be controlled, giving models and drawings of engines to their various associations, and presiding at their social gatherings. Of simple manners and most upright character, he gained the confidence and esteem alike of his directors, colleagues, and subordinates.
1895 Obituary [1]