Richard Grainger
Richard Grainger
(1929 - 2009)
President The Institution of Engineers of Ireland 1992—1993
Dick Grainger’s death earlier this year after an illness which he fought bravely for a number of years saw the passing of a distinguished engineer, who in his time contributed greatly to Irish railway engineering and to the engineering profession. As a career engineer in CIE and Iarnród Éireann he was one of those who in their time bridged the historic change from steam locomotion to dieselisation and electrification.
He was a Dublin man to the core. He was born in the Liberties and was educated at the Christian Brothers in Synge St. He studied mechanical and electrical engineering in UCD and qualified with BE BSc in 1950.
On qualification he joined CIE where he served two years as a graduate trainee in the Inchicore Railway Workshops This training was augmented by a further period of experience in Switzerland where he worked on diesel engine and electric locomotive design and on locomotive diesel engine testing. During that period also he acquired a remarkable fluency in German and French which proved very useful in his subsequent career
Following his return to CIE from Switzerland in mid 1953 he was appointed to the Chief Mechanical Engineers Department when the programme of changeover of the railways from steam to diesel locomotive traction had just been initiated. This was a major operation as the steam locomotives (including the legendary “Queens” the Maedbh, the Macha and the Tailte which served the Cork Dublin run) were retired and the new diesel locomotives were introduced. This also meant a major adaptation of facilities in workshops and depots for their servicing and upkeep. Dick was closely involved in this programme and in the design of the new rolling stock all of which was led by the legendary Chief Mechanical Engineer OVS Bulleid.
His career in Iarnród Éireann was spent in Inchicore apart from some years in the early 70’s in the road transport division of the company where he led a major study of the road fleet- buses and trucks - which resulted in significant changes to equipment purchase specifications in line with developing technology and new practices in the transport industry.
On completion of this assignment he returned to the railway division and in 1975 he was appointed Chief Mechanical Engineer to succeed Matt Devereux, with responsibility for directing all the railway mechanical engineering activities of the Company. Under his direction the railway rolling stock fleet was continually modernised which included the introduction of Inter-City trains and the Dart system Additionally special rolling stock for the transport of chemicals was introduced with all the accompanying regulations for safety and efficiency in their operation. His highly respected knowledge and experience led to a number of consultancy assignments in Botswana, Ghana and Uganda on behalf of the World Bank and in Romania on behalf of the EEC. He also undertook assignments in Lithuania and in Pakistan for CIE Consult.
During his career he presented a number of papers related to his experience as a railway engineer which have been published in Ireland, the UK and Germany. His Presidential Address to an overflow audience in Clyde Rd was particularly absorbing for all with an interest in the mechanical engineering development of the Irish railways over almost a half century of change.
Like others of his senior railway colleagues Dick always found the time to support the development of the profession through the Institution of Mechanical Engineers and through Cumann na nInnealtóiri,and and the Institution of Engineers of Ireland. He was a former chairman and Secretary of the Republic of Ireland branch of The IMech E and also served as an officer and council member of The Cumann. In the Institution of Engineers of Ireland he filled many leading roles: on the Council, in the Mechanical and Energy Divisions, on the Membership and Qualifications Board and in accreditation of mechanical courses in the Universities and Colleges of Technology. He was also a member of the Governing Body of Tallaght Institute of Technology.
He was a former Chairman of the National Committee for Engineering Sciences of the Royal Irish Academy and also served as a member of the European Monitoring Committee of FEANI (The European Federation of National Engineering Associations.
He represented Iarnród Éireann on the International Union of Railways (UIC) Traction and Rolling Stock Committee and was a former Chairman of the European Rail Research Institute of the UIC. He was a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Transport and served on their Education and Policy Group.
He was elected President of The Institution for 1992-93 and he carried out the duties of his office with great diligence and dignity His easy and courteous manner combined with his unfailing approachability and patience made him exceptionally easy to work with and his command of German and French was of considerable benefit in the Institution’s international contacts.
He was a Foundation Fellow and council member of The Irish Academy of Engineering.
He had a deep interest in sport and with his dear wife Ursula regularly attended Croke Park and Lansdowne Rd. He had a strong affinity with Kilkenny while Ursula was a dedicated Tipperary supporter. He also loved his game of golf at which he was no mean performer.
All of us who knew him will remember him as a good and caring friend, a gentleman at all times who retained a strong faith throughout his life and his final illness. We offer our deepest sympathy to Ursula and his daughters Paula and Carol. We also remember his engineer son Richard Jnr. whose early death some years ago cast such a shadow on his family and on all who knew him.
Suaimhneas na bhflaithis ar an mbeirt acu.
Finbar Callanan
