Career
The office had two deputies, the senior known as Assistant Locomotive Superintendent and Chief Draughtsman, the junior known as Assistant Locomotive Superintendent. Throughout his incumbency, Holmes"s Assistant Locomotive Superintendent and Chief Draughtsman was Robert Chalmers. Various men held the position of Assistant Locomotive Superintendent, the last to do so being William Paton Reid.
Holmes was succeeded in office by Reid.
Later, Reid was to be succeeded by Robert Chalmers" son, Walter. Designed by Holmes include:
NBR Class C, later LNER Class J36, 0-6-0
NBR Class Doctorate, later LNER Class J83, 0-6-0T
NBR Class M, later LNER Class D31, 4-4-0.