Thomas Ogilvie Niven
Thomas Ogilvie Niven (c1858-1924)
1924 Obituary[1]
"The late Mr. T. O. Niven.— A prominent engineer and one who took a large part in railway construction in Scotland, died at his residence, 66, Ann Street, Hillhead, Glasgow, on May 4, in his 81st year.
He received his engineering training in Glasgow University under Professor Macquorn Rankine, and served articles in the office of Messrs. Formans and McCall. He later acted as resident engineer on the Greenock and Ayrshire Railway and other of the important works of the firm. Mr. Niven located the West Highland Railway from Craigendoran to Orianlarioh before it was embodied in the larger scheme, undertaken by Messrs. Formans and McCall.
He began business on his own account in Glasgow in 1876, but was subsequently joined by Mr. Andrew Aitken Haddin when the firm became Niven and Haddin. Among the projects he carried through may be mentioned the Kilmarnock, Lookerbie, Millport, Lanark and Milnathort Water Works and the Vale of Leven, Milngavie and Milnathort Sewage Disposal Works. His services were frequently sought in arbitrations relating to Engineering contracts. Mr. Niven must be given credit for his early utilisation of reinforced concrete for water storage purposes in the West of Scotland. Prior to its being taken over by the Caledonian Railway Co, he acted as Engineer to the Wemyss Bay Railway. He was elected M.Inst.C.E. in 1889."