Rach Cottle
@rachcottle.bsky.social
PhD candidate - Women on the Victorian Railways (Aus.) | railway history & heritage | women’s history | local history
Reposted by Rach Cottle
Currently doing some marking. A reminder to everyone involved in archives and collections: digitisation is not preservation. If I digitise a box of records and put the files on a USB stick I haven't preserved a thing. It's all about what you do with the files post-digitisation. #archives #digipres
November 10, 2025 at 5:35 AM
Having flashbacks to the $**** I spent getting my colloquium document back from a corrupted hard drive. Thesis is now in the cloud and on a backup drive and emailed to myself and typed out on an old fashioned typewriter.
Extremely grateful to the University of Portsmouth's excellent IT team, who today recovered c.500GB of data from a corrupted disk.
Have been having kittens about this for the last couple of weeks.
Super grateful (& will manage data better in future!) - thanks to Chris, esp!
Have been having kittens about this for the last couple of weeks.
Super grateful (& will manage data better in future!) - thanks to Chris, esp!
November 5, 2025 at 9:13 AM
Having flashbacks to the $**** I spent getting my colloquium document back from a corrupted hard drive. Thesis is now in the cloud and on a backup drive and emailed to myself and typed out on an old fashioned typewriter.
Reposted by Rach Cottle
Hello, if you've got a spare fifteen minutes we've put together a video on the emergence of the railway poster as a visual medium from the 1840s-1930s that you might enjoy!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5is...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5is...
The Lost Art of Railway Posters: A Journey Through Time | Off the Rails
YouTube video by National Railway Museum
www.youtube.com
October 31, 2025 at 11:12 AM
Hello, if you've got a spare fifteen minutes we've put together a video on the emergence of the railway poster as a visual medium from the 1840s-1930s that you might enjoy!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5is...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5is...
Reposted by Rach Cottle
Help me turn the State Library of Victoria's digitised maps into data! https://wragge.github.io/slv-allmaps/ (bit of a soft launch, so let me know if you see any errors in the documentation...)
October 30, 2025 at 5:47 AM
Help me turn the State Library of Victoria's digitised maps into data! https://wragge.github.io/slv-allmaps/ (bit of a soft launch, so let me know if you see any errors in the documentation...)
Reposted by Rach Cottle
Delighted to have worked on a lovely & important story over the last few weeks!
Part of the Portsmouth Area Railway Pasts project, we've worked with Gordon Churchill on they story of his father, Arthur - including time in a railway orphanage:
www.railwayaccidents.port.ac.uk/portsmouth-a...
Part of the Portsmouth Area Railway Pasts project, we've worked with Gordon Churchill on they story of his father, Arthur - including time in a railway orphanage:
www.railwayaccidents.port.ac.uk/portsmouth-a...
October 29, 2025 at 12:06 PM
Delighted to have worked on a lovely & important story over the last few weeks!
Part of the Portsmouth Area Railway Pasts project, we've worked with Gordon Churchill on they story of his father, Arthur - including time in a railway orphanage:
www.railwayaccidents.port.ac.uk/portsmouth-a...
Part of the Portsmouth Area Railway Pasts project, we've worked with Gordon Churchill on they story of his father, Arthur - including time in a railway orphanage:
www.railwayaccidents.port.ac.uk/portsmouth-a...
Slightly different to my usual programming, but we were given the keys to the decommissioned Ararat Signal Box A on the weekend. Felt like stepping back in time.
#VictorianRailways #Signalling #Ararat #RailwayHeritage
#VictorianRailways #Signalling #Ararat #RailwayHeritage
October 16, 2025 at 7:35 AM
Slightly different to my usual programming, but we were given the keys to the decommissioned Ararat Signal Box A on the weekend. Felt like stepping back in time.
#VictorianRailways #Signalling #Ararat #RailwayHeritage
#VictorianRailways #Signalling #Ararat #RailwayHeritage
Lifted my self-imposed ban from the Royal Historical Society of Victoria’s bookshop for some early Xmas presents - for me! @historyvictoria.bsky.social
#books #melbourne #northmelbourne #history
#books #melbourne #northmelbourne #history
October 15, 2025 at 11:13 PM
Lifted my self-imposed ban from the Royal Historical Society of Victoria’s bookshop for some early Xmas presents - for me! @historyvictoria.bsky.social
#books #melbourne #northmelbourne #history
#books #melbourne #northmelbourne #history
Little paper cups for drinking water from VicRail train. Tea cup on paper cup.
#ephemera
#VicRail
#TeaCup
#VictorianRailways
#ephemera
#VicRail
#TeaCup
#VictorianRailways
October 9, 2025 at 8:43 PM
Little paper cups for drinking water from VicRail train. Tea cup on paper cup.
#ephemera
#VicRail
#TeaCup
#VictorianRailways
#ephemera
#VicRail
#TeaCup
#VictorianRailways
Reposted by Rach Cottle
Locomotion No 1 triumphantly recreates Stockton and Darlington Railway opening
Locomotion No 1 triumphantly recreates Stockton and Darlington Railway opening
After a replica Locomotion No 1 steamed from Shildon to Stockton, Chris Lloyd reflects on a fitting weekend celebrations marking S&DR200.
www.thenorthernecho.co.uk
September 28, 2025 at 9:08 PM
Locomotion No 1 triumphantly recreates Stockton and Darlington Railway opening
Reposted by Rach Cottle
If #Railway200 has sparked or rekindled your interest in #RailwayHistory, and you fancy study at Masters or PhD level - then come & study with Dr Mike Esbester at the University of Portsmouth!
An expert in railway, transport & mobility history:
www.port.ac.uk/about-us/str...
An expert in railway, transport & mobility history:
www.port.ac.uk/about-us/str...
Mike Esbester
www.port.ac.uk
September 27, 2025 at 8:29 AM
If #Railway200 has sparked or rekindled your interest in #RailwayHistory, and you fancy study at Masters or PhD level - then come & study with Dr Mike Esbester at the University of Portsmouth!
An expert in railway, transport & mobility history:
www.port.ac.uk/about-us/str...
An expert in railway, transport & mobility history:
www.port.ac.uk/about-us/str...
Reposted by Rach Cottle
🚨What's that?🚨
You want FREE access to 17 brilliant #RailwayHistory articles from the @jtransporthist.bsky.social?
All yours!
For #Railway200 the JTH has put together a virtual collection of articles, & until 15 October they're free!
Download & read now: journals.sagepub.com/topic/collec...
You want FREE access to 17 brilliant #RailwayHistory articles from the @jtransporthist.bsky.social?
All yours!
For #Railway200 the JTH has put together a virtual collection of articles, & until 15 October they're free!
Download & read now: journals.sagepub.com/topic/collec...
September 25, 2025 at 9:30 AM
🚨What's that?🚨
You want FREE access to 17 brilliant #RailwayHistory articles from the @jtransporthist.bsky.social?
All yours!
For #Railway200 the JTH has put together a virtual collection of articles, & until 15 October they're free!
Download & read now: journals.sagepub.com/topic/collec...
You want FREE access to 17 brilliant #RailwayHistory articles from the @jtransporthist.bsky.social?
All yours!
For #Railway200 the JTH has put together a virtual collection of articles, & until 15 October they're free!
Download & read now: journals.sagepub.com/topic/collec...
Unfortunately the train wasn’t that “special” - Collingwood lost by 37 points. 😭
#AFL #VFL
#Football
#VictorianRailways
#Collingwood
Geelong Advertiser, 5 July 1967, p 11
#AFL #VFL
#Football
#VictorianRailways
#Collingwood
Geelong Advertiser, 5 July 1967, p 11
September 24, 2025 at 12:05 PM
Unfortunately the train wasn’t that “special” - Collingwood lost by 37 points. 😭
#AFL #VFL
#Football
#VictorianRailways
#Collingwood
Geelong Advertiser, 5 July 1967, p 11
#AFL #VFL
#Football
#VictorianRailways
#Collingwood
Geelong Advertiser, 5 July 1967, p 11
I’ve returned to the archives and found another 100 boxes from the Victorian Railways. I am resolved that this thesis could take another ten years to write.
#VictorianRailways
#Archives
#PhDLife
#VictorianRailways
#Archives
#PhDLife
September 18, 2025 at 11:41 PM
I’ve returned to the archives and found another 100 boxes from the Victorian Railways. I am resolved that this thesis could take another ten years to write.
#VictorianRailways
#Archives
#PhDLife
#VictorianRailways
#Archives
#PhDLife
Posting a photo of a tram in Bendigo just for @drdrehistorian.bsky.social
We went for a ride but I still argue that the paddle steamer is a superior form of travel.
#BendigoTramway
#Tram
We went for a ride but I still argue that the paddle steamer is a superior form of travel.
#BendigoTramway
#Tram
September 6, 2025 at 9:29 PM
Posting a photo of a tram in Bendigo just for @drdrehistorian.bsky.social
We went for a ride but I still argue that the paddle steamer is a superior form of travel.
#BendigoTramway
#Tram
We went for a ride but I still argue that the paddle steamer is a superior form of travel.
#BendigoTramway
#Tram
Save the date!
The AEHS 2026 Conference - “Local History: thinking outside the archival box” - will be held 18 July 2026 in Lilydale.
Tickets on sale early 2026.
#SaveTheDate #Conference #LocalHistory #AEHS
The AEHS 2026 Conference - “Local History: thinking outside the archival box” - will be held 18 July 2026 in Lilydale.
Tickets on sale early 2026.
#SaveTheDate #Conference #LocalHistory #AEHS
September 2, 2025 at 2:46 AM
Save the date!
The AEHS 2026 Conference - “Local History: thinking outside the archival box” - will be held 18 July 2026 in Lilydale.
Tickets on sale early 2026.
#SaveTheDate #Conference #LocalHistory #AEHS
The AEHS 2026 Conference - “Local History: thinking outside the archival box” - will be held 18 July 2026 in Lilydale.
Tickets on sale early 2026.
#SaveTheDate #Conference #LocalHistory #AEHS
Victorian Railways experts - advice on best places to research VR uniforms.
#VictorianRailways
#Uniforms
#Research
#VictorianRailways
#Uniforms
#Research
August 28, 2025 at 1:40 AM
Victorian Railways experts - advice on best places to research VR uniforms.
#VictorianRailways
#Uniforms
#Research
#VictorianRailways
#Uniforms
#Research
I’m no longer being asked what my thesis is about, rather am I using AI to write it. The answer is NO - I did not come this far to get a machine to do my work. Thesis writing is hard work but rewarding.
Now if AI could do my washing, housework and feed me - that would be fab!
#PhDlife #AI
Now if AI could do my washing, housework and feed me - that would be fab!
#PhDlife #AI
August 25, 2025 at 2:52 AM
Reposted by Rach Cottle
PHA (Vic & Tas) members had a great time at our 2025 AGM! With thanks to Al Thomson for a fascinating talk on his life as an oral historian.
#phavictas
#phavictas
August 18, 2025 at 1:11 AM
PHA (Vic & Tas) members had a great time at our 2025 AGM! With thanks to Al Thomson for a fascinating talk on his life as an oral historian.
#phavictas
#phavictas
New (old) poster from the State Coal Mine, Wonthaggi. No comments about “clean coal” please - appreciate it for the #cat.
#StateCoalMine #Wonthaggi #FriendsOfTheStateCoalMine #VictorianRailways
#StateCoalMine #Wonthaggi #FriendsOfTheStateCoalMine #VictorianRailways
August 8, 2025 at 4:21 AM
New (old) poster from the State Coal Mine, Wonthaggi. No comments about “clean coal” please - appreciate it for the #cat.
#StateCoalMine #Wonthaggi #FriendsOfTheStateCoalMine #VictorianRailways
#StateCoalMine #Wonthaggi #FriendsOfTheStateCoalMine #VictorianRailways
Reposted by Rach Cottle
"Earning a humanities degree was not only life changing, in terms of opening up a world of knowledge otherwise beyond my reach, it also turns out to have been enormously productive – for me and many, many people around me"
Thank you Tim Winton for supporting the call to repeal the JRG policy.
Thank you Tim Winton for supporting the call to repeal the JRG policy.
Tim Winton among 100 high-profile Australians calling for university fees that don’t ‘punish’ arts students
Tim Winton among 100 high-profile Australians calling for university fees that don’t ‘punish’ arts students
Open letter urges Labor to reverse JRG scheme, introduced by Coalition in 2021, as cost of humanities degrees reaches more than $50,000
*
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Tim Winton knows what it’s like to be the first in a family to go to university – “what a breakthrough that is, the kind of opportunities it provides”.
It was at the Western Australian Institute of Technology, studying arts, that he wrote his first novel, An Open Swimmer, launching a four-decade writing career. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
July 28, 2025 at 2:04 AM
"Earning a humanities degree was not only life changing, in terms of opening up a world of knowledge otherwise beyond my reach, it also turns out to have been enormously productive – for me and many, many people around me"
Thank you Tim Winton for supporting the call to repeal the JRG policy.
Thank you Tim Winton for supporting the call to repeal the JRG policy.
Reposted by Rach Cottle
wrote a blog post about how scanning an old magazine made me cry and how it reminded me why I bother doing this boring stuff
blog.decryption.net.au/posts/digiti...
blog.decryption.net.au/posts/digiti...
A Reminder Why Digitising Old Printed Material Is Important
I did not expect to shed tears while scanning old model railway magazines.
blog.decryption.net.au
July 27, 2025 at 12:52 AM
wrote a blog post about how scanning an old magazine made me cry and how it reminded me why I bother doing this boring stuff
blog.decryption.net.au/posts/digiti...
blog.decryption.net.au/posts/digiti...
Reposted by Rach Cottle
Today’s mail call #1: A postwar-era (1960s) Victorian Railways poster advertising off-peak tickets aimed at women by subtly emphasising the advantages of shopping (in the CBD presumably) by rail over driving. This specimen is in great condition for its age & a candidate for framing in the future.
July 24, 2025 at 10:26 AM
Today’s mail call #1: A postwar-era (1960s) Victorian Railways poster advertising off-peak tickets aimed at women by subtly emphasising the advantages of shopping (in the CBD presumably) by rail over driving. This specimen is in great condition for its age & a candidate for framing in the future.
- A realistic dream of owning a home.
- Pizza Hut restaurants being a big deal.
- Using the only computer at school as a reward for being good.
- Pizza Hut restaurants being a big deal.
- Using the only computer at school as a reward for being good.
What’s a real thing from your childhood that kids these days would find completely foreign?
Like, how we used to be able to walk right up to the gate to meet our family coming off a flight.
Or how we had to pick a spot to meet at the theater BEFORE we went.
Like, how we used to be able to walk right up to the gate to meet our family coming off a flight.
Or how we had to pick a spot to meet at the theater BEFORE we went.
July 14, 2025 at 11:26 PM
- A realistic dream of owning a home.
- Pizza Hut restaurants being a big deal.
- Using the only computer at school as a reward for being good.
- Pizza Hut restaurants being a big deal.
- Using the only computer at school as a reward for being good.
July 11, 2025 at 6:47 AM
Found out where my Grandparents did their furniture shopping. They had every piece in this advertisement!
(Box Hill Reporter, 13 Jan 1928, p 6)
#Trove #BoxHillHistoricalSociety
#LocalHistory
(Box Hill Reporter, 13 Jan 1928, p 6)
#Trove #BoxHillHistoricalSociety
#LocalHistory
July 11, 2025 at 1:56 AM
Found out where my Grandparents did their furniture shopping. They had every piece in this advertisement!
(Box Hill Reporter, 13 Jan 1928, p 6)
#Trove #BoxHillHistoricalSociety
#LocalHistory
(Box Hill Reporter, 13 Jan 1928, p 6)
#Trove #BoxHillHistoricalSociety
#LocalHistory