Matthew was appointed Locomotive Superintendent of the H&BR on 13 May 1885. His first locomotive design was the H&BR Class B 0-6-0 tender locomotive (1889). This later became LNER Class J23. A larger and more modern version of the Class B was developed later. This was designated H&BR Class L, and later became LNER Class J28. Matthew Stirling's locomotive designs often incorporated the design traditions established by his father, including domeless boilers. His powerful H&BR Class A (LNER Class Q10) 0-8-0 freight locomotives were heavily used during World War I.