Edward Miller Gard Eddy

Edward Miller Gard Eddy (24 July 1851 – 21 June 1897) was Chief Commissioner of Railways in colonial New South Wales 1888–1897. It has been said of him that "No abler administrator has ever been connected with railway management in Australia".

In 1888 the Railways Act was passed, putting three commissioners in charge of the state railways: Eddy (as chief commissioner), William Meeke Fehon and Charles Oliver. When he arrived, the network included many lines built for political reasons but of no value to the state's economy. One of his first actions was to persuade government that no line should be constructed until approved by the Commissioners. He also impressed on Premier Parkes the importance of standardization of railway gauge throughout the State, which was suffering from a multiplicity of gauges. 5ft 3in had been originally agreed on by New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia, but in 1853 unilaterally abandoned by NSW in favour of 4ft 8½in for reasons of economy. By 1889 the State had of the former and of the latter, so 4ft 8½in became the NSW standard.

He was a tireless reformer, and having a broad knowledge of railway practice, his opinions were respected by business, politicians and his staff, who found him diligent but fair in his treatment of those for whom he was responsible. His reformist zeal initially met with open hostility and secret intrigue, but he overcame resistance through by stubborn strength and clarity of vision.

Personal Eddy married the widow Gwen Ellen Lowndes, née Roberts (died 1882), on 29 October 1874; they had a daughter and three sons. On 15 April 1886 he married again, to Ellen Wilkinson.