Norman Joseph Lockyer
Norman Joseph Lockyer (c1860-1922), manager of the Darlington Works
Eldest son of Sir Norman Lockyer.
1881 Graduate member of Inst Mechanical Engineers
1888 Associate of Inst Civil Engineers
1922 Obituary
Mr. Lockyer, who was in his sixty-third year, was the eldest son of the late Sir Norman Lockyer. He was educated at University College, London, and commenced his engineering career at the works of Sir Joseph Whitworth and Co. Subsequently, he joined the staff of the Manchester, Sheffield and Lincoln Railway, afterwards the Great Central line. Later he spent a period with the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway Company , and also was engaged by the firm of Sir Alexander M. Rendell.
In 1897 Mr. Lockyer was appointed works manager of Sharp, Stewart and Co Ltd., Glasgow, which is now part of the North British Locomotive Co Ltd. In 1899 Mr. Lockyer entered the service of the North Eastern Railway as works manager of its shops at Gateshead, at which place the company's headquarters then were, and where all the building of locomotives was undertaken. In 1910, when headquarters were transferred to Darlington, Mr. Lockyer went there as works manager. Large numbers of the Gateshead foremen and men were transferred at the same time, and Mr. Lockyer had the responsibility of amalgamating the working staffs.
As an engineer, Mr. Lockyer showed exceptional ability, and during the time he was at Darlington works he was responsible for the construction of engines of large and varied designs, including the electric locomotives for the Shildon and Newport area, together with all the various work connected with a big locomotive shop. During the war he also had charge of the company's shell shop, which was laid down to assist in the production of munitions, and during that time over 1,000,000 18-pounder shells were manufactured, and other Government work carried out under his supervision. Mr. Lockyer was highly esteemed by the officials and staff, and his comparatively early demise is deeply regretted.