OldRailwayAccidents
@rwldproject.bsky.social
Welcome to the 'Railway Work, Life & Death' project, collaboratively researching British & Irish railway staff accidents pre-1939. Posts by Mike Esbester.
#RailwayHistory #TransportHistory #MobilityHistory #Railway200
www.railwayaccidents.port.ac.uk
#RailwayHistory #TransportHistory #MobilityHistory #Railway200
www.railwayaccidents.port.ac.uk
Pinned
Welcome to the 'Railway Work, Life & Death' project Bluesky account!
Check our expanding database of British & Irish railway worker accidents, covering 1855-1939 - all free!
Currently over 117,000 cases, with more to come.
railwayaccidents.port.ac.uk
Check our expanding database of British & Irish railway worker accidents, covering 1855-1939 - all free!
Currently over 117,000 cases, with more to come.
railwayaccidents.port.ac.uk
Reposted by OldRailwayAccidents
In case you need a positive reminder:
How effective is protesting? According to historians and political scientists: very www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
How effective is protesting? According to historians and political scientists: very www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
How effective is protesting? According to historians and political scientists: very
From emancipation to women’s suffrage, civil rights and BLM, mass movement has shaped the arc of US history
www.theguardian.com
December 26, 2025 at 2:51 AM
In case you need a positive reminder:
How effective is protesting? According to historians and political scientists: very www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
How effective is protesting? According to historians and political scientists: very www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Reposted by OldRailwayAccidents
Fifteen of those twenty years were spent writing unsuccessful grant applications.
You can tell that LotR was written by an academic because Gandalf disappears for like 20 years doing research to answer a single question.
December 26, 2025 at 10:48 AM
Fifteen of those twenty years were spent writing unsuccessful grant applications.
Reposted by OldRailwayAccidents
Putting the finishing touches on a new walking tour for tomorrow on Newhaven's West Pier and beach. I'm wondering how many will come out and brave the cold. A pub with hot chocolate is at the end of our route! #SussexCoast walkhaven.co.uk
Walk Haven
Welcome to Seahaven’s Walking Talking Event website
walkhaven.co.uk
December 26, 2025 at 2:20 PM
Putting the finishing touches on a new walking tour for tomorrow on Newhaven's West Pier and beach. I'm wondering how many will come out and brave the cold. A pub with hot chocolate is at the end of our route! #SussexCoast walkhaven.co.uk
Reposted by OldRailwayAccidents
Frankly embarrassing for a British newspaper to report this without noting that the University of the Third Age has functioned in the UK for decades. It has 400,000 members.
www.u3a.org.uk/about
www.u3a.org.uk/about
‘Keeps your mind alert’: older Swedes reap the benefits of learning for pleasure
Retirees with ‘fantastic hunger for education’ taking part in university organised events in record numbers
www.theguardian.com
December 26, 2025 at 11:58 AM
Frankly embarrassing for a British newspaper to report this without noting that the University of the Third Age has functioned in the UK for decades. It has 400,000 members.
www.u3a.org.uk/about
www.u3a.org.uk/about
Reposted by OldRailwayAccidents
General Boxing Day rail services were withdrawn steadily in England and Wales from the 1950s, but in 1975 BR withdrew the remainder. They returned only in 1977 (with some exceptions)
The ad from 14 Dec 1963 evidences the competition from cars "Go by train, and relax let someone else do the driving"
The ad from 14 Dec 1963 evidences the competition from cars "Go by train, and relax let someone else do the driving"
December 26, 2025 at 10:13 AM
General Boxing Day rail services were withdrawn steadily in England and Wales from the 1950s, but in 1975 BR withdrew the remainder. They returned only in 1977 (with some exceptions)
The ad from 14 Dec 1963 evidences the competition from cars "Go by train, and relax let someone else do the driving"
The ad from 14 Dec 1963 evidences the competition from cars "Go by train, and relax let someone else do the driving"
Reposted by OldRailwayAccidents
How do we feel about licensing our databases so FMP/Ancestry can paywall them?
I did a lot of work for FreeBMD before I ever went pro…
I did a lot of work for FreeBMD before I ever went pro…
‘The hidden engine room’: how amateur historians are powering genealogical research
‘The hidden engine room’: how amateur historians are powering genealogical research
Wealth of datasets compiled as private passions are now a goldmine for those hunting for their ancestors
www.theguardian.com
December 26, 2025 at 10:21 AM
How do we feel about licensing our databases so FMP/Ancestry can paywall them?
I did a lot of work for FreeBMD before I ever went pro…
I did a lot of work for FreeBMD before I ever went pro…
This is nice - and v much chimes with the Railway Work, Life & Death project.
#FamilyHistory #Railway200 #LocalHistory #RailwayHistory
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
#FamilyHistory #Railway200 #LocalHistory #RailwayHistory
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
‘The hidden engine room’: how amateur historians are powering genealogical research
Wealth of datasets compiled as private passions are now a goldmine for those hunting for their ancestors
www.theguardian.com
December 26, 2025 at 10:05 AM
This is nice - and v much chimes with the Railway Work, Life & Death project.
#FamilyHistory #Railway200 #LocalHistory #RailwayHistory
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
#FamilyHistory #Railway200 #LocalHistory #RailwayHistory
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
Reposted by OldRailwayAccidents
A happy Christmas & new year to all!
Thanks to all for following & engaging with the Railway Work, Life & Death project this year - here's to a great 2026!
Postcard c.1915 sent to Arthur Churchill in the Woking railway orphanage. Find out more here:
www.railwayaccidents.port.ac.uk/portsmouth-a...
Thanks to all for following & engaging with the Railway Work, Life & Death project this year - here's to a great 2026!
Postcard c.1915 sent to Arthur Churchill in the Woking railway orphanage. Find out more here:
www.railwayaccidents.port.ac.uk/portsmouth-a...
December 24, 2025 at 11:00 AM
A happy Christmas & new year to all!
Thanks to all for following & engaging with the Railway Work, Life & Death project this year - here's to a great 2026!
Postcard c.1915 sent to Arthur Churchill in the Woking railway orphanage. Find out more here:
www.railwayaccidents.port.ac.uk/portsmouth-a...
Thanks to all for following & engaging with the Railway Work, Life & Death project this year - here's to a great 2026!
Postcard c.1915 sent to Arthur Churchill in the Woking railway orphanage. Find out more here:
www.railwayaccidents.port.ac.uk/portsmouth-a...
Reposted by OldRailwayAccidents
The open letter is here and still open, but use the email at the top to do so. tinyurl.com/bbcwaccampaign
December 24, 2025 at 8:39 AM
The open letter is here and still open, but use the email at the top to do so. tinyurl.com/bbcwaccampaign
Reposted by OldRailwayAccidents
Reform UK-led Derbyshire council announce closure of eight residential care homes just days before Christmas.
That's going to spell misery and considerable upset for hundreds of vulnerable people and their carers.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
That's going to spell misery and considerable upset for hundreds of vulnerable people and their carers.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reform council’s plan to shut eight care homes ‘a betrayal of local people’
Announcement after proposed sale falls through prompts backlash and union says more than 200 jobs at risk
www.theguardian.com
December 24, 2025 at 8:32 AM
Reform UK-led Derbyshire council announce closure of eight residential care homes just days before Christmas.
That's going to spell misery and considerable upset for hundreds of vulnerable people and their carers.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
That's going to spell misery and considerable upset for hundreds of vulnerable people and their carers.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reposted by OldRailwayAccidents
In the past month 3 transport routes have collapsed - but they aren't roads so don't make national news. All 3 have the same root causes, climate change, and Tory austerity passing responsibility for critical infrastructure on to charities and councils. This will happen more, and people will be hurt
December 23, 2025 at 6:08 PM
In the past month 3 transport routes have collapsed - but they aren't roads so don't make national news. All 3 have the same root causes, climate change, and Tory austerity passing responsibility for critical infrastructure on to charities and councils. This will happen more, and people will be hurt
Reposted by OldRailwayAccidents
There's currently a massive existential threat to a museum in my hometown. We're hoping that online voices will help protect Banbury Museum from being defunded and shut down. This is a really special place to me & to my family, I'd appreciate help!
www.change.org/p/save-banbu...
www.change.org/p/save-banbu...
Sign the Petition
Save Banbury & Museum and Gallery: Urge Cherwell to source alternative funding
www.change.org
December 24, 2025 at 11:05 AM
There's currently a massive existential threat to a museum in my hometown. We're hoping that online voices will help protect Banbury Museum from being defunded and shut down. This is a really special place to me & to my family, I'd appreciate help!
www.change.org/p/save-banbu...
www.change.org/p/save-banbu...
A happy Christmas & new year to all!
Thanks to all for following & engaging with the Railway Work, Life & Death project this year - here's to a great 2026!
Postcard c.1915 sent to Arthur Churchill in the Woking railway orphanage. Find out more here:
www.railwayaccidents.port.ac.uk/portsmouth-a...
Thanks to all for following & engaging with the Railway Work, Life & Death project this year - here's to a great 2026!
Postcard c.1915 sent to Arthur Churchill in the Woking railway orphanage. Find out more here:
www.railwayaccidents.port.ac.uk/portsmouth-a...
December 24, 2025 at 11:00 AM
A happy Christmas & new year to all!
Thanks to all for following & engaging with the Railway Work, Life & Death project this year - here's to a great 2026!
Postcard c.1915 sent to Arthur Churchill in the Woking railway orphanage. Find out more here:
www.railwayaccidents.port.ac.uk/portsmouth-a...
Thanks to all for following & engaging with the Railway Work, Life & Death project this year - here's to a great 2026!
Postcard c.1915 sent to Arthur Churchill in the Woking railway orphanage. Find out more here:
www.railwayaccidents.port.ac.uk/portsmouth-a...
Right in time for #Christmas!
Our latest Railway Work, Life & Death project article - free to read.
Find out more about what we do & how we do it - plus the potential it offers for museums, the rail industry, higher education ... and more!
#Railway200
journal.sciencemuseum.ac.uk/article/coll...
Our latest Railway Work, Life & Death project article - free to read.
Find out more about what we do & how we do it - plus the potential it offers for museums, the rail industry, higher education ... and more!
#Railway200
journal.sciencemuseum.ac.uk/article/coll...
Collaborative working with challenging histories: the Railway Work, Life & Death project - Science Museum Group Journal
This paper reflects upon notions of value for research collaborations with differing stakeholder agendas and suggests modes of working that could be useful to other academic/Galleries, Libraries,…
journal.sciencemuseum.ac.uk
December 23, 2025 at 11:45 AM
Right in time for #Christmas!
Our latest Railway Work, Life & Death project article - free to read.
Find out more about what we do & how we do it - plus the potential it offers for museums, the rail industry, higher education ... and more!
#Railway200
journal.sciencemuseum.ac.uk/article/coll...
Our latest Railway Work, Life & Death project article - free to read.
Find out more about what we do & how we do it - plus the potential it offers for museums, the rail industry, higher education ... and more!
#Railway200
journal.sciencemuseum.ac.uk/article/coll...
#ICYMI the latest #Railway200 blog comes from the Railway Work, Life & Death project!
Co-lead Mike looks at #Disability on the railways in the past, particularly amongst the workforce, as seen through the lens of the project.
railway200.co.uk/celebrating-...
Co-lead Mike looks at #Disability on the railways in the past, particularly amongst the workforce, as seen through the lens of the project.
railway200.co.uk/celebrating-...
Celebrating disabled railway workers
For Disability History Month, Dr Mike Esbester, Senior Lecturer in History at the University of Portsmouth and co-lead of the Railway Work, Life & Death project, explores how people with disabilities…
railway200.co.uk
December 23, 2025 at 8:45 AM
#ICYMI the latest #Railway200 blog comes from the Railway Work, Life & Death project!
Co-lead Mike looks at #Disability on the railways in the past, particularly amongst the workforce, as seen through the lens of the project.
railway200.co.uk/celebrating-...
Co-lead Mike looks at #Disability on the railways in the past, particularly amongst the workforce, as seen through the lens of the project.
railway200.co.uk/celebrating-...
Last week we updated our #Petersfield station posters, from our Portsmouth Area Railway Pasts project.
#Railway200
That included more on Arthur Hobbs - who worked at Petersfield station yard, but wasn't a railway employee. Read more here:
www.railwayaccidents.port.ac.uk/portsmouth-a...
#Railway200
That included more on Arthur Hobbs - who worked at Petersfield station yard, but wasn't a railway employee. Read more here:
www.railwayaccidents.port.ac.uk/portsmouth-a...
Arthur Hobbs - Railway Work, Life & Death
A look at the life of 1 Hampshire man whose work took him into Petersfield station coal yard - but not as a railway employee.
www.railwayaccidents.port.ac.uk
December 22, 2025 at 11:45 AM
Last week we updated our #Petersfield station posters, from our Portsmouth Area Railway Pasts project.
#Railway200
That included more on Arthur Hobbs - who worked at Petersfield station yard, but wasn't a railway employee. Read more here:
www.railwayaccidents.port.ac.uk/portsmouth-a...
#Railway200
That included more on Arthur Hobbs - who worked at Petersfield station yard, but wasn't a railway employee. Read more here:
www.railwayaccidents.port.ac.uk/portsmouth-a...
#ICYMI our most recent blog post looks at the accident which disabled GWR level crossing keeper Margaret Hamer in 1923, in #Wales.
#Railway200 #RailwayHistory #FamilyHistory
It was a story in which family played a key part, too:
www.railwayaccidents.port.ac.uk/margaret-ham...
#Railway200 #RailwayHistory #FamilyHistory
It was a story in which family played a key part, too:
www.railwayaccidents.port.ac.uk/margaret-ham...
Margaret Hamer – heroic actions with a lasting impact - Railway Work, Life & Death
GWR level crossing keeper Margaret Hamer tried to save her nephew's life in Wales in 1923; we consider what she tells us about disability history.
www.railwayaccidents.port.ac.uk
December 22, 2025 at 10:30 AM
#ICYMI our most recent blog post looks at the accident which disabled GWR level crossing keeper Margaret Hamer in 1923, in #Wales.
#Railway200 #RailwayHistory #FamilyHistory
It was a story in which family played a key part, too:
www.railwayaccidents.port.ac.uk/margaret-ham...
#Railway200 #RailwayHistory #FamilyHistory
It was a story in which family played a key part, too:
www.railwayaccidents.port.ac.uk/margaret-ham...
Reposted by OldRailwayAccidents
When we say "no, everything hasn't been digitized," I need you to understand that we really mean is that virtually nothing has been digitized. This is because the realm of primary sources that historians use is incomprehensibly large.
Seems like it's worth posting this one again.
Why Do Historians Still Have To Go To Archives?
Why do historians go to archives? Hasn’t everything already been digitized?
contingentmagazine.org
December 22, 2025 at 1:40 AM
When we say "no, everything hasn't been digitized," I need you to understand that we really mean is that virtually nothing has been digitized. This is because the realm of primary sources that historians use is incomprehensibly large.
🚨THIS MORNING - 9-10am! 🚨
Project co-lead Mike talks to @BBCRadioSolent Rick Jackson about the Portsmouth Area Railway Pasts display.
Recorded when it was on board the #Railway200 exhibition train, Inspiration, in #Southampton last week!
@railway200
Project co-lead Mike talks to @BBCRadioSolent Rick Jackson about the Portsmouth Area Railway Pasts display.
Recorded when it was on board the #Railway200 exhibition train, Inspiration, in #Southampton last week!
@railway200
BBC Radio Solent - BBC Radio Solent Special, Best of Rick Jackson
Highlights of Rick Jackson's show in 2025.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 22, 2025 at 8:30 AM
🚨THIS MORNING - 9-10am! 🚨
Project co-lead Mike talks to @BBCRadioSolent Rick Jackson about the Portsmouth Area Railway Pasts display.
Recorded when it was on board the #Railway200 exhibition train, Inspiration, in #Southampton last week!
@railway200
Project co-lead Mike talks to @BBCRadioSolent Rick Jackson about the Portsmouth Area Railway Pasts display.
Recorded when it was on board the #Railway200 exhibition train, Inspiration, in #Southampton last week!
@railway200
#ICYMI this week a new - FREE! - article was published.
It looks at the Railway Work, Life & Death project, and how we work. #Railway200
Read it now!
It looks at the Railway Work, Life & Death project, and how we work. #Railway200
Read it now!
Collaborative working with challenging histories: the Railway Work, Life & Death project - Science Museum Group Journal
This paper reflects upon notions of value for research collaborations with differing stakeholder agendas and suggests modes of working that could be useful to other academic/Galleries, Libraries,…
journal.sciencemuseum.ac.uk
December 21, 2025 at 11:00 AM
#ICYMI this week a new - FREE! - article was published.
It looks at the Railway Work, Life & Death project, and how we work. #Railway200
Read it now!
It looks at the Railway Work, Life & Death project, and how we work. #Railway200
Read it now!
Reposted by OldRailwayAccidents
It's amusing that none of the traffic experts points out that traffic congestion is a consequence of geometry. A car needs ~16 m^2 when parked - perhaps 2x that when moving slowly & much more at higher speed. You quickly run out of space to move a lot of cars...
www.theage.com.au/national/it-...
www.theage.com.au/national/it-...
‘The phantom jam’: Why do they happen?
It’s a mysterious yet oh-so familiar phenomenon on the roads. What makes cars grind to a halt for no apparent reason?
www.theage.com.au
December 21, 2025 at 5:38 AM
It's amusing that none of the traffic experts points out that traffic congestion is a consequence of geometry. A car needs ~16 m^2 when parked - perhaps 2x that when moving slowly & much more at higher speed. You quickly run out of space to move a lot of cars...
www.theage.com.au/national/it-...
www.theage.com.au/national/it-...
#ICYMI yesterday the #Railway200 blog was updated with a piece for #DisabilityHistoryMonth.
Written by Railway Work, Life & Death project co-lead Mike, it looks at where we can find railway workers with disabilities in the past (hint: lots of places!):
Written by Railway Work, Life & Death project co-lead Mike, it looks at where we can find railway workers with disabilities in the past (hint: lots of places!):
Celebrating disabled railway workers
For Disability History Month, Dr Mike Esbester, Senior Lecturer in History at the University of Portsmouth and co-lead of the Railway Work, Life & Death project, explores how people with disabilities…
railway200.co.uk
December 20, 2025 at 2:00 PM
#ICYMI yesterday the #Railway200 blog was updated with a piece for #DisabilityHistoryMonth.
Written by Railway Work, Life & Death project co-lead Mike, it looks at where we can find railway workers with disabilities in the past (hint: lots of places!):
Written by Railway Work, Life & Death project co-lead Mike, it looks at where we can find railway workers with disabilities in the past (hint: lots of places!):
Today is the final day of 2025's #DisabilityHistoryMonth!
It's an important means of focusing attention on the lives of people with disabilities in the past - including, for us, in the #Railway200 year, on the railways.
Read more here:
It's an important means of focusing attention on the lives of people with disabilities in the past - including, for us, in the #Railway200 year, on the railways.
Read more here:
Disability History Month Archives - Railway Work, Life & Death
Railway Work, Life & Death
www.railwayaccidents.port.ac.uk
December 20, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Today is the final day of 2025's #DisabilityHistoryMonth!
It's an important means of focusing attention on the lives of people with disabilities in the past - including, for us, in the #Railway200 year, on the railways.
Read more here:
It's an important means of focusing attention on the lives of people with disabilities in the past - including, for us, in the #Railway200 year, on the railways.
Read more here:
#ICYMI our new blog post looks at level crossing keeper Margaret Hamer's accident in #Wales in 1923.
It thinks particularly about #DisabilityHistory; today is the final day of 2025's #DisabilityHistoryMonth.
#Railway200
It thinks particularly about #DisabilityHistory; today is the final day of 2025's #DisabilityHistoryMonth.
#Railway200
Margaret Hamer – heroic actions with a lasting impact - Railway Work, Life & Death
GWR level crossing keeper Margaret Hamer tried to save her nephew's life in Wales in 1923; we consider what she tells us about disability history.
www.railwayaccidents.port.ac.uk
December 20, 2025 at 11:00 AM
#ICYMI our new blog post looks at level crossing keeper Margaret Hamer's accident in #Wales in 1923.
It thinks particularly about #DisabilityHistory; today is the final day of 2025's #DisabilityHistoryMonth.
#Railway200
It thinks particularly about #DisabilityHistory; today is the final day of 2025's #DisabilityHistoryMonth.
#Railway200
Earlier this week we updated the #Railway200 Portsmouth Area Railway Pasts posters at #Petersfield station.
One of the new posters features Arthur Hobbs - confusingly, not a railwayman!
Find out more about his life & encounter with the railway here:
www.railwayaccidents.port.ac.uk/portsmouth-a...
One of the new posters features Arthur Hobbs - confusingly, not a railwayman!
Find out more about his life & encounter with the railway here:
www.railwayaccidents.port.ac.uk/portsmouth-a...
Arthur Hobbs - Railway Work, Life & Death
A look at the life of 1 Hampshire man whose work took him into Petersfield station coal yard - but not as a railway employee.
www.railwayaccidents.port.ac.uk
December 20, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Earlier this week we updated the #Railway200 Portsmouth Area Railway Pasts posters at #Petersfield station.
One of the new posters features Arthur Hobbs - confusingly, not a railwayman!
Find out more about his life & encounter with the railway here:
www.railwayaccidents.port.ac.uk/portsmouth-a...
One of the new posters features Arthur Hobbs - confusingly, not a railwayman!
Find out more about his life & encounter with the railway here:
www.railwayaccidents.port.ac.uk/portsmouth-a...