In 1839 joined the Birmingham and Derby as chief clerk. He was then appointed manager of the Newcasle - Darlington Line. In October 1853 he was appointed general manager of the Midland Railway. In 1866 involved in the bill to form the Settle & Carlisle Railway. He retired on the 17 February 1880 but became director of the Midland railway. n 1884 he received the honour of knighthood, and in 1886 was created a member of the royal commission to report upon the state of railways in Ireland. He died on 25 April 1892 at the Midland Railway's own Grand Hotel at St Pancras, London.