List of locomotive engines on the Grand Junction Railway from the commencement up to April 10 1839’ [lists engines with old eccentric gearing and with Mellings Patent Improvements] list of ‘locomotive engines on the Liverpool and Manchester Railway from the commencement to the present time 10th April 1839’

John Melling of Rainhill was a railway engine builder and was in charge of the locomotive shop of the London and Midland Railway in the 1830s, becoming in complete charge of the locomotive department in 1837, he was replaced by John Dewrance and then established the Rainhill Iron Works with his son. He was also Superintendent of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway’s Edge Hill Workshop. He promoted his ‘improved fireplace for a locomotive engine, with hollow bars, and ash pit constructed so as to form part of the boiler’ this was incorporated into his patent of 1837.