Murray Tremellen
@drmtremellen.bsky.social
Historian and museum curator. #ActuallyAutistic. Views my own. He/him.
Happy 150th Birthday to Stepney, the Bluebell Railway's much-loved 'Terrier' locomotive, outshopped from Brighton Works #OTD in 1875. Seen here at Sheffield Park during the railway's 65th anniversary celebrations back in August.
December 21, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Happy 150th Birthday to Stepney, the Bluebell Railway's much-loved 'Terrier' locomotive, outshopped from Brighton Works #OTD in 1875. Seen here at Sheffield Park during the railway's 65th anniversary celebrations back in August.
It's a wonderful object and I really hope a UK buyer comes forward. But it will be interesting to see whether we actually hear a murmur of protest from all the flag sh*ggers who made themselves so vocal over the summer... 🤨
News | Export bar placed on rare union jack that survived Battle of Trafalgar
UK buyer sought for £450,000 war-torn flag
UK buyer sought for £450,000 war-torn flag
Export bar placed on rare union jack that survived Battle of Trafalgar - Museums Association
UK buyer sought for £450,000 war-torn flag
www.museumsassociation.org
December 19, 2025 at 1:32 PM
It's a wonderful object and I really hope a UK buyer comes forward. But it will be interesting to see whether we actually hear a murmur of protest from all the flag sh*ggers who made themselves so vocal over the summer... 🤨
'wE shOuld cancEL Hs2 anD speND thE moNEy oN LoCal traNspoRt', said all the NIMBYs. The reality is that we've cancelled HS2, and got nothing at all. Will those NIMBYs utter a word of complaint? Of course not, because they don't actually care about local transport, and they never did.
For those of you just waking up - Leeds mass transit has been cancelled.
Remember when HS2 to Leeds was cancelled by the NIC's shitty maths and fundamental lack of expertise, and Leeds was thrown the bone of "you'll get trams" and I said those would never be delivered?
Yeah, as I was saying...
Yeah, as I was saying...
December 18, 2025 at 8:54 AM
'wE shOuld cancEL Hs2 anD speND thE moNEy oN LoCal traNspoRt', said all the NIMBYs. The reality is that we've cancelled HS2, and got nothing at all. Will those NIMBYs utter a word of complaint? Of course not, because they don't actually care about local transport, and they never did.
No, this was not 'simple rage'. This was Road Rage.
When are we finally going to have a proper conversation about the appalling social cost of our car-dependent society--and ask what we can do to change it?
When are we finally going to have a proper conversation about the appalling social cost of our car-dependent society--and ask what we can do to change it?
December 16, 2025 at 7:55 AM
No, this was not 'simple rage'. This was Road Rage.
When are we finally going to have a proper conversation about the appalling social cost of our car-dependent society--and ask what we can do to change it?
When are we finally going to have a proper conversation about the appalling social cost of our car-dependent society--and ask what we can do to change it?
So apparently my train from Leeds this morning is cancelled due to 'severe weather conditions'. Presumably things must be worse further north, but the rain is no more than a shower here...which makes me wonder which engine was rostered to haul the train! 🙄😂
December 15, 2025 at 7:58 AM
So apparently my train from Leeds this morning is cancelled due to 'severe weather conditions'. Presumably things must be worse further north, but the rain is no more than a shower here...which makes me wonder which engine was rostered to haul the train! 🙄😂
Travelling home by @tpexpress.bsky.social tonight and it's all a bit stressful. No seat reservation dockets have been put out--meaning that people with reservations are having to eject people who had no idea they were sitting in a reserved seat. Not satisfactory for either party.
December 14, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Travelling home by @tpexpress.bsky.social tonight and it's all a bit stressful. No seat reservation dockets have been put out--meaning that people with reservations are having to eject people who had no idea they were sitting in a reserved seat. Not satisfactory for either party.
Or in my case, spent ten years shouting at anti-HS2 NIMBYs and calling out their misinformation, whilst somehow picking up a few new friends along the way. Yet I do miss it, in a strange, indefinable sort of way...
Sometimes, I reminisce about academic Twitter the same way I reminisce about theater camp. We were all together in this wonderful and complicated and often messy space for a short time, where we built community and created something wonderful. Then the summer ended, and the magic was gone.
December 9, 2025 at 9:40 PM
Or in my case, spent ten years shouting at anti-HS2 NIMBYs and calling out their misinformation, whilst somehow picking up a few new friends along the way. Yet I do miss it, in a strange, indefinable sort of way...
Undoubtedly this particular situation could have been anticipated and better-managed, but I think it's symptomatic of a wider flaw in the post-Beeching railway network.
Once upon a time, the railways had sidings full of spare carriages to cater for peaks in demand like summer Saturdays, Bank...
Once upon a time, the railways had sidings full of spare carriages to cater for peaks in demand like summer Saturdays, Bank...
Last night was terrifying. An already over-crowded Great Northern train with me & a colleague on it left London Kings X & made the terrible decision to stop at Finsbury Park, where a football game had just let out.
The crowd (almost all white, large, middle-aged men) pushed in. Despite people...
The crowd (almost all white, large, middle-aged men) pushed in. Despite people...
December 4, 2025 at 10:36 AM
Undoubtedly this particular situation could have been anticipated and better-managed, but I think it's symptomatic of a wider flaw in the post-Beeching railway network.
Once upon a time, the railways had sidings full of spare carriages to cater for peaks in demand like summer Saturdays, Bank...
Once upon a time, the railways had sidings full of spare carriages to cater for peaks in demand like summer Saturdays, Bank...
Reposted by Murray Tremellen
Next Wednesday 3-12 we are holding a joint seminar with @histparl.bsky.social! Join us at 17:30 at the @ihr.bsky.social or online via zoom to hear Dr Helen Wilson discuss ‘Black & Political: Black Political Participation in Britain, 1750-1850’.
Register now! 👎
www.history.ac.uk/news-events/...
Register now! 👎
www.history.ac.uk/news-events/...
Black and Political: Reconstructing Black Participation in British Politics, 1750-1850
Hybrid | Online-via Zoom & IHR Wolfson Room NB01, Basement, IHR, Senate House, Malet Street, London WC1E 7HU
www.history.ac.uk
November 28, 2025 at 10:07 AM
Next Wednesday 3-12 we are holding a joint seminar with @histparl.bsky.social! Join us at 17:30 at the @ihr.bsky.social or online via zoom to hear Dr Helen Wilson discuss ‘Black & Political: Black Political Participation in Britain, 1750-1850’.
Register now! 👎
www.history.ac.uk/news-events/...
Register now! 👎
www.history.ac.uk/news-events/...
'Hitler vows not to attack Poland and insists Munich plan can avert European war' 🤨
November 28, 2025 at 8:19 AM
'Hitler vows not to attack Poland and insists Munich plan can avert European war' 🤨
Reposted by Murray Tremellen
One of the metal plaques given to the Southern Railway (who operated Southampton Docks during the Second World War) by the U.S. Army who transported over two million American troops through the docks between D-Day and the end of the war.
1/4
1/4
November 28, 2025 at 8:02 AM
One of the metal plaques given to the Southern Railway (who operated Southampton Docks during the Second World War) by the U.S. Army who transported over two million American troops through the docks between D-Day and the end of the war.
1/4
1/4
Thinking out loud here. Are the Budget leaks incompetence, as the press is framing them...or is this a deliberate ploy by Reeves?
Almost anything she does will be unpopular; but are the leaks her way of testing the waters, seeing how people react and what she can get away with? 🤔
Almost anything she does will be unpopular; but are the leaks her way of testing the waters, seeing how people react and what she can get away with? 🤔
November 24, 2025 at 8:02 AM
Thinking out loud here. Are the Budget leaks incompetence, as the press is framing them...or is this a deliberate ploy by Reeves?
Almost anything she does will be unpopular; but are the leaks her way of testing the waters, seeing how people react and what she can get away with? 🤔
Almost anything she does will be unpopular; but are the leaks her way of testing the waters, seeing how people react and what she can get away with? 🤔
Reposted by Murray Tremellen
Oh my.
James Talarico is incredibly skilled in dismantling Christian Nationalists.
Get this man in the Senate.
James Talarico is incredibly skilled in dismantling Christian Nationalists.
Get this man in the Senate.
November 19, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Oh my.
James Talarico is incredibly skilled in dismantling Christian Nationalists.
Get this man in the Senate.
James Talarico is incredibly skilled in dismantling Christian Nationalists.
Get this man in the Senate.
Proudly wearing my ear defenders on the train to work this morning. Honi soit qui mal y pense.
November 19, 2025 at 12:51 PM
Proudly wearing my ear defenders on the train to work this morning. Honi soit qui mal y pense.
Reposted by Murray Tremellen
Do you have a steady hand and an eye for detail? We're looking for volunteers to help us with our conservation work! This is an exciting opportunity to help us look after the past for generations to come.
If you're interested, get in touch at [email protected]
If you're interested, get in touch at [email protected]
November 18, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Do you have a steady hand and an eye for detail? We're looking for volunteers to help us with our conservation work! This is an exciting opportunity to help us look after the past for generations to come.
If you're interested, get in touch at [email protected]
If you're interested, get in touch at [email protected]
When Richard Tice says that it's 'ridiculous' for autistic children to wear ear defenders, what he really means is: 'schools shouldn't be spending money on adjustments for SEN children, because then my wealthy cronies would have to pay a few pence more in tax'.
November 18, 2025 at 8:38 PM
When Richard Tice says that it's 'ridiculous' for autistic children to wear ear defenders, what he really means is: 'schools shouldn't be spending money on adjustments for SEN children, because then my wealthy cronies would have to pay a few pence more in tax'.
Let's be clear what Richard Tice's REAL motive is for THAT comment about autism... 😩
November 18, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Let's be clear what Richard Tice's REAL motive is for THAT comment about autism... 😩
Shut the f*** up, Richard Tice. Unless you have lived experience of autism, you do not have the right to tell autistic people what accommodations they do or don't need in order to cater for their sensory differences. No ifs. No buts. End of.
www.independent.co.uk/news/health/...
www.independent.co.uk/news/health/...
Reform UK’s Richard Tice says children wearing ear defenders in school is ‘insane’
Tice was outlining Reform’s Doge (Department of government efficiency) unit’s progress
www.independent.co.uk
November 18, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Shut the f*** up, Richard Tice. Unless you have lived experience of autism, you do not have the right to tell autistic people what accommodations they do or don't need in order to cater for their sensory differences. No ifs. No buts. End of.
www.independent.co.uk/news/health/...
www.independent.co.uk/news/health/...
#Skystorians: can anybody suggest an *accurate* depiction of a Congreve rocket bombardment? There are plenty of paintings of the Battle of Fort McHenry, etc., but I can't help but suspect that many of them are naive and/or romanticised... 🤔 #militaryhistory #napoleonichistory
November 10, 2025 at 2:53 PM
#Skystorians: can anybody suggest an *accurate* depiction of a Congreve rocket bombardment? There are plenty of paintings of the Battle of Fort McHenry, etc., but I can't help but suspect that many of them are naive and/or romanticised... 🤔 #militaryhistory #napoleonichistory
Reposted by Murray Tremellen
The Southampton Cenotaph was unveiled on this day in 1920. Designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, his Whitehall Cenotaph was unveiled in London five days later, on 11 November 1920. An iconic symbol of remembrance, the names of 3,298 Southampton men and women are now remembered here.
November 6, 2025 at 1:25 PM
The Southampton Cenotaph was unveiled on this day in 1920. Designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, his Whitehall Cenotaph was unveiled in London five days later, on 11 November 1920. An iconic symbol of remembrance, the names of 3,298 Southampton men and women are now remembered here.
Reform UK's new strapline (family, community, country) is strikingly similar to that used by Vichy France (travail, patrie, famille: work, family, fatherland).
So, apparently the only difference between Farage and Pétain is that Farage doesn't believe in work...? 🤨
So, apparently the only difference between Farage and Pétain is that Farage doesn't believe in work...? 🤨
November 5, 2025 at 6:52 PM
Reform UK's new strapline (family, community, country) is strikingly similar to that used by Vichy France (travail, patrie, famille: work, family, fatherland).
So, apparently the only difference between Farage and Pétain is that Farage doesn't believe in work...? 🤨
So, apparently the only difference between Farage and Pétain is that Farage doesn't believe in work...? 🤨
A must read. A searing, forensic analysis of the real reasons why #HS2 has cost so much. It's not incompetent engineers or greedy contractors: it's NIMBY obstructionism, wilfully, cynically driving up the costs, and then arguing that the project must be cancelled because it's too expensive.
Here's a fascinating example of how intransigent local #Nimby councils made #hs2 cost so much. martinrobbins.substack.com/p/how-hs2-bu...
How HS2 built a bridge to nowhere
A state-of-the-art road bridge has been built deep in the heart of rural Buckinghamshire. Designed to carry traffic over the HS2 railway, there's just one tiny problem - there's no actual road.
martinrobbins.substack.com
November 3, 2025 at 10:41 AM
A must read. A searing, forensic analysis of the real reasons why #HS2 has cost so much. It's not incompetent engineers or greedy contractors: it's NIMBY obstructionism, wilfully, cynically driving up the costs, and then arguing that the project must be cancelled because it's too expensive.
A 'Saint' for All Saints Day. The Great Western Railway's 2900 class 4-6-0s were generally known as the 'Saint' class, although only twenty of them actually carried Saint names. The originals were all scrapped by 1953, but the Great Western Society have built a new one, No. 2999 Lady of Legend.
November 1, 2025 at 8:13 PM
A 'Saint' for All Saints Day. The Great Western Railway's 2900 class 4-6-0s were generally known as the 'Saint' class, although only twenty of them actually carried Saint names. The originals were all scrapped by 1953, but the Great Western Society have built a new one, No. 2999 Lady of Legend.
Reposted by Murray Tremellen
Tonight. Still tickets. Manchester poetry library. Starts 5.30, refreshments 5pm
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/renaissanc...
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/renaissanc...
Renaissance One presents Colonial Countryside
A panel event hosted by Melanie Abrahams in conversation with Corinne Fowler and Peter Kalu comprising readings and a Q&A.
www.eventbrite.co.uk
October 30, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Tonight. Still tickets. Manchester poetry library. Starts 5.30, refreshments 5pm
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/renaissanc...
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/renaissanc...