About John Glaze
As an independent boiler inspector, engineer surveyor with over 40 years’ experience, John Glaze has worked throughout the UK and abroad for many clients in the steam heritage industry.
In that time, he has been involved in many projects for individuals and organisations in both the public and private sectors.
This includes charitable trusts and museums as well as interest groups and private owners.
He is also been employed as consultant and inspector / surveyor by statutory bodies in the UK and in Europe, north America and Australia, and many other organisations in the industry.
John Glaze is qualified to inspect and commission any steam-powered engine – including main line network locomotives, traction engines and stationary engines – for compliance with UK and EU legislation and good practice guidelines.
His qualifications include:
- time-served apprenticeships in Mechanical Engineering and Boiler-Making (5 years)
- City and Guilds in Mechanical Engineering (1981)
- HNC in Mechanical Engineering (1983)
John Glaze is a member of the:
- Institute of Mechanical Engineers (joined 1984)
- Chartered Quality Institute (joined 1984)
- Association of Independent Boiler Inspectors (founder member, 2010)
- Heritage Railway Association.
John Glaze is consultant and engineer surveyor / boiler inspector for the following organisations.
Ricardo (formerly Lloyd’s Rail Register Ltd) – since 2003, the sole UK Engineer / Surveyor Boiler Inspector for the company’s Vehicle Acceptance Body (for locomotives registered for use on Network Rail).
Rail Accidents Investigations Board – Consultant since 2002.
Heritage Railway Association – a member of the Heritage Railway Association committee compiling the steam boiler code of practice on behalf of the Office of Rail Regulators.
In Europe, John Glaze is consultant and engineer surveyor boiler inspector for private locomotive-owners in Holland, and for the following steam railway companies:
- Stoomcentrum Maldegem, Belgium
- Meiningen steam locomotive works, Germany (for the construction of the boiler for 60163 Tornado).
John Glaze is covered by:
- Professional Indemnity Insurance (up to £2 million)
- Professional Public Liability Insurance (up to £2 million).
My work practice
John set up his own business in 1987, but feels privileged to have worked alongside his father for several years before that.
He describes his own work practice as built on the sound principles he learned from his father.
My father was a skilled craftsman who was thorough, professional and exacting and in whatever task he undertook.
(That’s him in the picture on the right, in the early 1970s, with me driving one of several one-sixth scale traction engines that he built.)
He instilled in me the standards and values that have made me one of the leading boiler inspectors in the country.
These high standards are reflected in every project I have undertaken and had the pleasure to be involved in.
A family tradition
For as long as I can remember, I have had a fascination for steam-powered engines, and steam locomotives in particular.
It’s even something of a family tradition. Both my father and grandfather worked for the Great Western Railway.
Through them, I have inherited an abiding interest in the GWR, its history and any artefacts relating to it.
For more information about the GWR, click on the following link to the Great Western Society website: http://www.didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk/.