Baldwin was chosen as they could deliver the engine -- built mainly from standard parts -- more quickly than British builders , who had a backlog of orders , caused by a national engineering dispute from July 1897 to January 1898 . Baldwin was selected as they could deliver the loco -- based largely on standard components -- more quickly than domestic suppliers , who had a backlog of orders , caused by a national engineering dispute over the 8 hour working day resulting in a lock-out by employers from July 1897 and January 1898 .