Nevil John Cuss
Nevil John Cuss (c1843-1933)
1933 Obituary[1]
"THE LATE MR. N. J. CUSS.
Bv the death of Mr. Nevil John Cuss, which occurred, we regret to record, at Cricklade, Wiltshire, on Friday, August 25, in his ninetieth year, one of the last remaining links with Sir Daniel Gooch and the broad-gauge system of the Great Western Railway has been severed. This connection began in 1863, when he was articled to Mr. (afterwards Sir Daniel) Gooch, who at that time was the chief locomotive superintendent of the railway. After a course in the Swindon shops, where he acquired both constructional and operating experience, Mr. Cuss was transferred to the drawing office, where he was closely associated with the design of both broad and narrow-gauge locomotives. At that time students were encouraged to make models in their spare time, and he soon won a prize for a model steam engine, which he built and exhibited at the Bristol, West of England and South Wales Exhibition in 1865. As the result of a serious accident, caused by the breaking of a tyre, he, in conjunction with three others, designed the continuous key fastening, to take the place of the bolt fastening, and this device is still largely used to-day. During the time he was acting as fireman, the question arose as to what was a mileage a locomotive’s crew could complete in a day without strain or -risk. Mr. Cuss volunteered to undergo a test, and for a considerable period worked four journeys between Swindon and Paddington daily—a distance of 309 miles.
After the completion of his pupilage, he was appointed assistant to the running superintendent, and also acted as deputy for the London Divisional Superintendent during the latter’s absence in America. Subsequently he was, at various times, chief timber inspector for the railway, and Divisional Locomotive and Carriage Superintendent at New Milford and Newport.
Mr. Cuss was elected a graduate of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers in 1867, but was not associated with that body at the time of his death. In 1866, he obtained a commission in the 11th Wilts, or Great Western, Volunteer Rifle Corps, and served with them for many years, retiring with the rank of honorary major in 1889. During the Russian war scare of 1878, he responded to an appeal for volunteer officers for railway service abroad. He was also a prominent Freemason, while quite recently he had played a considerable part in local politics."