Richard Philip Charles Sanderson (1858-1942)
American railway engineer.
Born 9 Jan 1858 in Birkenhead, Cheshire. Died 11 Jul 1942.[1]
Educated at the Royal Institution School at Liverpool and later in Kassel, Germany. He served his apprenticeship with Laird Brothers at Birkenhead. For a time he was with a millwright engineering firm in Manchester, before migrating to the USA. His first job was with the Delamater Iron Works, New York. He then he joined the Norfolk and Western Railway, rising from draughtsman to Inspector, Travelling Engineer, Master Mechanic and Asst. Superintendent of Motive Power. He then became Assistant Mechanic Superintendent on the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Rly.; Superintendent of Motive Power of Seaboard Air Line; Superintendent Motive Power of Virginian Rly. Works Manager of Baldwin Loco. Works.[2]
In 1907 he became superintendent of motive power and designed some locomotives for a railway in Virginia. He then joined Baldwin Locomotive Works as superintendent of the new Eddystone shops. In 1915 he was sent to take charge of Baldwin's office in London and handled the sales to the allied countries and Africa during WWI.[3]
1942 Obituary.[4]
Richard Philip Charles Sanderson, elected member in 1915, passed quietly away in his sleep on the nth July, 1942, at his home in Moylans, Philadelphia, in his 84th year.
He was for many years the British representative of the Baldwin Locomotive Works, Philadelphia, U.S.A. His early education was received at the Royal Institution School at Liverpool and later in Kassel, Germany. He served his apprenticeship as a shipbuilder with Laird Bros., at Birkenhead. For a time he was with a millwright engineering firm in Manchester and then migrated to America. His first job was with the Delamater Iron Works, New York, and then he joined the Norfolk and Western Railway, rising from draughtsman to Inspector, Travelling Engineer, Master Mechanic and Asst. Supt. of Motive Power.
His next appointments were Assistant Mechanic Supt. on the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Rly. ; Supt. of Motive Power of Seaboard Air Line; Supt. Motive Power of Virginian Rly. ; Works Manager of Baldwin Loco. Works, and finally British representative.
Mr. Sanderson was for many years a valuable member of the Council of this Institution, where his many friends had a high regard for his opinion and efforts to keep them informed on modern American locomotive practice. He endeared himself to a large circle of friends in this country who felt his return to the U.S.A, in 1930.
He was made an Hon. Member of the Institution in 1931 in recognition of his past services.