He worked with his uncle in New England as a railway contractor from 1837 to 1852.

He then became a railway contractor, and in later years was heavily involved in gold mining.

Within five years the same railway contractors responsible for the spur line were actively pursuing plans to build a new dock system in the area.

He began work as a workman and went into agriculture and then became a railway contractor.

Further, there were a number of of railway contractors from village.

Walchand proved to be a successful railway contractor but was open to other business ideas as well.

Working as a railway contractor in these early days meant staying away from home for many months, or even years.

He and his cousin Grissell founded a business as an independent railway contractor.

Joseph Firbank, railway contractor, lost much of his savings as a result.

By 1861 the family had relocated to London, where his father was a railway contractor's clerk.