Mr Joseph Firbank

"Mr Firbank used, however, to say that, of all his contracts, this one [Walsall and Water Orton] gave him the most trouble and anxiety, on account of the vexatious and unnecessary interference of the Engineer - not one of the Midland Company's permanent officials - and his assistants, who, instead of doing all in their power to assist him in his labours - as other chief and resident engineers did - took every occasion to make suggestions, which were totally unnecessary, and added very heavily to the cost of the works. This conduct ultimately led to litigation, but, unfortunately, a clause in the specification appointed the Engineer sole arbitrator, without appeal from his decisions."

A sentence or two then describes Firbank's 'defeat' in court and he is criticised by the judges for signing such a claused contract before ending the entry with: "...a compromise arranged, which, if it did not give him his due, fully cleared him in the eyes of the Midland Directors, whose good opinion he valued very highly." The chief engineer on the line was, as we know, J Addison and the resident engineer was J Keen.

Firbank had previously had problems with co-workers and after a particularly bad partnership in the 1840s never worked in partnership again. His career was helped by the recommendation of renowned engineer Charles Liddell.

He was highly respected as an engineer and hard-worker, and had "sturdy independence and reliability. He would rise early, even before 5am, and be in his bed by 9pm. He thought more of his fellow workers if they adhered to the same lifestyle."