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R. L. Hills and D. Patrick, Beyer Peacock: locomotive builders to the world, Venture Publications, Glossop (1982, third impression 1998), 302 pp., L32.50.
In 1854 Charles Beyer entered into partnership with Richard Peacock. The company they established built more than 8,000 steam locomotives at its factory in Gorton, Manchester, most of which went overseas, until, in the face of new technology and falling orders, Beyer Peacock & Co. were forced to close down in 1966.
The two men came from quite different backgrounds. On completion of his education at Dresden Polytechnic, Beyer visited England at his government's expense to study developments in machinery. Although he returned home for a short period, the attractions of Manchester, then reputed as the engineering centre of the world, led him to emigrate to Britain, where he established himself as a designer of powerful steam engines. Peacock was a Yorkshireman who became a practical engineer, with an added competence...