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rwldproject.bsky.social
OldRailwayAccidents
@rwldproject.bsky.social
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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
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rwldproject.bsky.social
🚨2 DAYS LEFT!🚨

FREE access to 17 brilliant #RailwayHistory articles from the Journal of Transport History - AVAILABLE NOW!

For #Railway200 the JTH has put together a virtual collection of articles - & until 10 November they're free!

#JTH

journals.sagepub.com/topic/collec...
Cover of the Journal of Transport History. A dark blue background, white sans-serif text, with 10 small images of various forms of transport & mobility – an airship, a bridge, a compass, a shoe, a propeller aeroplane, an early pneumatic tyre, bicycle gears, a steam locomotive boiler, a tunnel and a late pneumatic tyre.
November 8, 2025 at 10:01 AM
rwldproject.bsky.social
Thanks to Network Rail we were able to get Gordon back up to Petersfield signal box in its final days - where he had visited his father at work in the 1950s.

#Railway200

There's more here, part of the Portsmouth Area Railway Pasts project: www.railwayaccidents.port.ac.uk/portsmouth-a...
Man stood in front of railway level crossing and signal box, holding postcards.
November 7, 2025 at 12:05 PM
rwldproject.bsky.social
It's timely, as it all come together just before Petersfield signal box - where Gordon's father, Arthur, worked - was decommissioned last month.

The move from mechanical to digital signalling has been happening for c.15 years; we're entering the final phases.

#Railway200
Man in high-vis vest, inside a railway signalbox, looking at a row of mechanical levers, with a diagram board and signalling equipment in front of him.
November 7, 2025 at 12:05 PM
rwldproject.bsky.social
Pleased to see project research featured in this week's 'Petersfield Post'!

It looks at the life of signalman Arthur Churchill, from time in the LSWR orphanage to his work on the railway & his family.

The best bit is it was co-written with Arthur's son, Gordon! #Railway200
Cropped photo showing text and image, under the title 'Arthur Churchill: a Petersfield railway signalman's story'. Newspaper masthead, for 'Petersfield Post', with words in red.
November 7, 2025 at 12:05 PM
rwldproject.bsky.social
NEW SEMINAR!

'The Station Master’s Railway: Self-Representation & the Moral Life of Infrastructure'
Nirali Joshi (Åbo Akademi University)

20 November 2025, 17.30 UK; hybrid

Part of the @ihr.bsky.social Transport & Mobility History seminar series

Free; book here:
www.history.ac.uk/news-events/...
Enamel sign, in white and red, fixed to a breeze block wall: 'Station master'
November 6, 2025 at 12:40 PM
rwldproject.bsky.social
Having to miss the Journal of Transport History Editorial Board meeting today because of a clashing commitment - a shame, as it's great to catch up with colleagues & friends & continue to shape our journal!

There's more about the #JTH here:

journals.sagepub.com/home/jth
Cover of the Journal of Transport History. A dark blue background, white sans-serif text, with 10 small images of various forms of transport & mobility – an airship, a bridge, a compass, a shoe, a propeller aeroplane, an early pneumatic tyre, bicycle gears, a steam locomotive boiler, a tunnel and a late pneumatic tyre.
November 4, 2025 at 11:01 AM
rwldproject.bsky.social
All set up and ready to go for the Heritage Railway Association Autumn conference in Southampton!

Feels sneaky to be taking @uophistory.bsky.social up the coast - but great to be sharing some of project co-lead Mike's students' work with attendees!

#Railway200 #RailwayHeritage
Project stand with purple University of Portsmouth table cover, pull-up banners, and leaflets. Project leaflets, showing how the Railway Work, Life & Death project is working with heritage railway organisations. Project leaflets, showing how the Railway Work, Life & Death project is working with heritage railway organisations. Big projector screen with Heritage Railway Association logo.
November 4, 2025 at 9:20 AM
rwldproject.bsky.social
🚨ITS BACK!🚨

FREE access to 17 brilliant #RailwayHistory articles from the Journal of Transport History - AVAILABLE NOW!

For #Railway200 the JTH has put together a virtual collection of articles - & until 10 November they're free!

#JTH

journals.sagepub.com/topic/collec...
Cover of the Journal of Transport History. A dark blue background, white sans-serif text, with 10 small images of various forms of transport & mobility – an airship, a bridge, a compass, a shoe, a propeller aeroplane, an early pneumatic tyre, bicycle gears, a steam locomotive boiler, a tunnel and a late pneumatic tyre.
November 3, 2025 at 8:45 AM
rwldproject.bsky.social
We've also been working with Hills to Harbour Community Rail Partnership & South Western Railway, to add posters about Petersfield railway staff to the station!

Arthur Churchill is currently featured - find the posters in the London-bound waiting room!

@communityrail.bsky.social #Railway200
Smiling man stood next to poster inside display board, detailing Arthur Churchill's life.
October 29, 2025 at 12:06 PM
rwldproject.bsky.social
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...
Postcard showing boys from the London and South Western Railway Servants’ Orphanage undertaking a gymnastic display outside, possibly in front of Woking mosque. Interior view of a signal box, with man sat on a stool looking out, next to wheel that operates gates of level crossing. Man stood in front of railway level crossing and signal box, holding postcards.
October 29, 2025 at 12:06 PM
rwldproject.bsky.social
Delighted that the 1st of our station posters at #Petersfield are now up!

Even better that there to help was Gordon, son of Arthur Churchill, 1 of the men featured.

The posters share railway staff life stories, for #Railway200.

@communityrail.bsky.social
Poster in a black frame, with the title 'Whose footsteps are you treading in?', text, QR code, institutional logos and a photograph of a man going between railway wagons to couple them. Photograph of a man, smiling, beside a poster in a frame on a wall, with the title 'What to do with orphaned railway children? Arthur Churchill' Photograph of a poster in a frame, titled 'William Howard's Buriton Tunnel accident', on a waiting room wall, with a window beyond. Through the window platform, tracks and train can be seen.
October 22, 2025 at 8:00 AM
rwldproject.bsky.social
Project co-lead Mike @uophistory.bsky.social will be on @expressfm.com Breakfast tomorrow!

He'll be talking with Ian James about the 'South coast's forgotten railway workers' exhibition, at the University of #Portsmouth.

Tune in at 08.30 to find out more!

#Railway200

www.expressfm.com/player/
Poster, showing a colour image of a steam engine leaving Fratton station in Portsmouth, with smoke billowing. Underneath, text gives the exhibition title 'The south coast's forgotten railway workers' and details of the dates (13 October-17 December) and venue (Park Building, University of Portsmouth, King Henry I Street; open Monday-Friday). Includes logos of Railway 200, the University of Portsmouth Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, and the University of Portsmouth Centre of Excellence for Heritage Innovation.
October 20, 2025 at 10:25 AM
rwldproject.bsky.social
Set up & ready to go!😀👏

#Railway200
4 pull-up banners with Railway Work, Life & Death project information and organisation logos, behind table with purple University of Portsmouth cover and information flyers. Red Transport for Wales pull-up banner, white text in Welsh & English, about the Crewe event.
October 16, 2025 at 7:49 AM
rwldproject.bsky.social
🚨EXHIBITION OPENS TODAY!🚨

'The south coast's forgotten railway workers' - now on at the University of Portsmouth, until 17 December.

Head to Park Building, King Henry I St (by the Guildhall).

Monday-Thursday, 9-7; Friday 9-6 - all welcome!

#Railway200

bsky.app/profile/rwld...
Poster, showing a colour image of a steam engine leaving Fratton station in Portsmouth, with smoke billowing. Underneath, text gives the exhibition title 'The south coast's forgotten railway workers' and details of the dates (13 October-17 December) and venue (Park Building, University of Portsmouth, King Henry I Street; open Monday-Friday). Includes logos of Railway 200, the University of Portsmouth Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, and the University of Portsmouth Centre of Excellence for Heritage Innovation.
October 13, 2025 at 10:45 AM
rwldproject.bsky.social
Exhibition reassembled in the new venue!

Opening Monday - at the University of Portsmouth's Park Building, on King Henry I street.

Come down & discover 'The south coast's forgotten railway workers' - all welcome.

On until 17 December!

#Railway200
5 pull up banners, and a display banner with 4 smaller posters, all detailing railway work and railway workers in the Portsmouth area. 6 pull up banners, and several display boards with smaller posters, all detailing railway work and railway workers in the Portsmouth area. Wide-angle view of the exhibition space, showing pull-up banners of exhibition, blue carpet, white walls and harsh strip lights above.
October 11, 2025 at 4:37 PM
rwldproject.bsky.social
Exhibition taken down!

'The south coast's forgotten railway workers' has finished its (first! ) run at The Spring Arts & Heritage Centre, #Havant.

We're planning on bringing it back, though - next year.

Now it's gone to the next venue: the University of Portsmouth!

#Railway200
An empty room, with wooden floor, white walls and high ceiling, lights off.
October 11, 2025 at 11:15 AM
rwldproject.bsky.social
🚨NEW POSTERS ON DISPLAY!🚨

If you're passing through #Havant station, check the next 2 of our Portsmouth Area Railway Pasts #Railway200 posters - now in the ticket office!

They tell the stories of Alfred Stanford & Albert Rogers, who worked in & around Havant in the early 20th century!
Poster in a frame, detailing the life story of Albert Rogers, including a posed staff safety photograph, text and QR code in a red border, with logos of the University of Portsmouth Centre of Excellence for Heritage Innovation, Hills to Harbour CRP and Railway 200. Poster in a frame, detailing the life story of Alfred Stanford, including a posed staff safety photograph, text and QR code in a red border, with logos of the University of Portsmouth Centre of Excellence for Heritage Innovation, Hills to Harbour CRP and Railway 200. Three posters in frames at Havant station ticket office.
October 4, 2025 at 3:34 PM
rwldproject.bsky.social
A week ago we were on our way to the reopening of the National Railway Museum's Station Hall gallery!

It was great to see Railway Work, Life & Death project interpretation - including the direct name-check! 😀👍

#Railway200

A bit more in this blog:

www.railwayaccidents.port.ac.uk/delivering-t...
Princess Anne giving a speech to open Station Hall at the National Railway Museum, in front of a huge, gold 'NRM 50' image. A crowd watches. Infographic showing railway shunters killed and injured at work, 1900-39, represented with outline figures of people. Caption for infographic, crediting Railway Work, Life & Death project. Interpretation board, with project infographic, and steam engine and stock behind.
October 2, 2025 at 11:54 AM
rwldproject.bsky.social
We're delighted to have hosted this blog from @chris56cornell.bsky.social, about his grandfather, Charlie.

A really significant story & so needing to be told in #Railway200 - a #Portsmouth railway worker of colour, c.1913-1966.

#BlackHistoryMonth

www.railwayaccidents.port.ac.uk/charlie-corn...
Man in coat and flat cap stands smiling to someone off-camera; an electric train and platform is behind him. Courtesy Chris Cornell.
October 2, 2025 at 8:33 AM
rwldproject.bsky.social
NEW BLOG POST!

We've launched the Portsmouth Area Railway Pasts project exhibition: 'The south coast's forgotten railway workers.'

Read more about it - & see it now: currently at The Spring, #Havant, until 9 October.

#Hampshire

www.railwayaccidents.port.ac.uk/finding-the-...
6 pull-up exhibition banners, white walls behind and wooden floor under. Images on the banners show railway workers and railway work in the Portsmouth area. 5 pull-up banners in front of white walls, on a wooden floor. Leaflets on a stand in front. Title banner for the exhibition, reading 'The south coast's forgotten railway workers', and including images of railway work, and logos for the University of Portsmouth Centre of Excellence for Heritage Innovation and Railway 200.
September 30, 2025 at 7:30 AM
rwldproject.bsky.social
And the exhibition is in place & ready to open!

Do drop in and see it when you can - brilliant work by all involved: thanks, & congratulations!

#Railway200
8 pull-up banners on display, with leaflets to one end. Exhibition title is 'The south coast's forgotten railway workers'. Title banner for the exhibition, reading 'The south coast's forgotten railway workers', and including images of railway work, and logos for the University of Portsmouth Centre of Excellence for Heritage Innovation and Railway 200. 6 pull-up exhibition banners, white walls behind and wooden floor under. Images on the banners show railway workers and railway work in the Portsmouth area.
September 29, 2025 at 3:39 PM
rwldproject.bsky.social
As the National Railway Museum reopens Station Hall to the public, we look at the site in its working days!

We show what the Railway Work, Life & Death project contributes to the Museum - & how we reveal the *people* who did the work!

#Railway200

www.railwayaccidents.port.ac.uk/delivering-t...
Photograph, looking down from above onto a siding with railway wagons inside a large goods shed with steel and cast iron roof supports and a glazed roof. York, 1961. Courtesy National Railway Museum.
September 28, 2025 at 12:00 PM
rwldproject.bsky.social
As the National Railway Museum reopens Station Hall to the public, we look at the site in its working days!

We show what the Railway Work, Life & Death project contributes to the Museum - & how we reveal the *people* who did the work!

#Railway200

www.railwayaccidents.port.ac.uk/delivering-t...
Photograph, looking down from above onto a siding with railway wagons inside a large goods shed with steel and cast iron roof supports and a glazed roof. York, 1961. Courtesy National Railway Museum.
September 27, 2025 at 10:45 AM
rwldproject.bsky.social
🚨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...
Cover of the Journal of Transport History. A dark blue background, white sans-serif text, with 10 small images of various forms of transport & mobility – an airship, a bridge, a compass, a shoe, a propeller aeroplane, an early pneumatic tyre, bicycle gears, a steam locomotive boiler, a tunnel and a late pneumatic tyre.
September 27, 2025 at 8:45 AM
rwldproject.bsky.social
@cathamclarke.bsky.social spotted in the wild!

In @waterstones.bsky.social York 😃👍
Spine of Catherine Clarke's book, a history of England in 25 poems, in the front window display of a book shop. Cover of Catherine Clarke's 'A history of England in 25 poems' in the 'fresh perspectives' table display in a bookshop.
September 26, 2025 at 1:13 PM