Harry Pollitt (engineer)

Harry Pollitt (1864–1945) was Locomotive Engineer of the Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway from 1894–1897 and its successor, the Great Central Railway, from 1897-1900.

Biography

Pollitt was born on 26 December 1864 at Ashton-under-Lyne. His father was Sir William Pollitt, who was general manager of the Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway (MSLR) between 1866 and 1899.

Harry Pollitt was appointed Locomotive Engineer of the MSLR from January 1894, replacing Thomas Parker, who resigned at the end of 1893. Pollitt had previously been Works Manager at the Gorton locomotive works of the MSLR, under Parker. In June 1894, his duties were expanded to cover the MSLR's fleet of ferries on the Humber, and his job title was changed to Locomotive & Marine Engineer. On 1 August 1897, the MSLR was renamed the Great Central Railway (GCR).

Pollitt personally saw off the first GCR passenger service from Marylebone on 15 March 1899.

Pollitt resigned from the MSLR in June 1900, and married an Australian woman the same year. He was succeeded as Locomotive and Marine Engineer by John G. Robinson.