Ant Dawson
@railwayhobbit.bsky.social
Historian, Archaeologist, and Museum Professional who is also an Organist, Unitarian, Rower, Geek, into Boardgames, Reenactment, Heavy Metal and with a soupcon of Long-Covid.
Who knew hobbits liked bouldering? Alas some of the reaches were a bit far! Such a lot of fun, however. The wall is in the engine house of a cotton mill. Cathedral of thing! Was incredibly impressive in it's day: 5,000 ihp triple expansion engine. More climbing please!
November 20, 2025 at 9:31 AM
Who knew hobbits liked bouldering? Alas some of the reaches were a bit far! Such a lot of fun, however. The wall is in the engine house of a cotton mill. Cathedral of thing! Was incredibly impressive in it's day: 5,000 ihp triple expansion engine. More climbing please!
Probably the most important vehicle on display in the NRM Station Hall. Certainly more so than the Royal Carriages and much more influential economically, socially, technologically.
November 18, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Probably the most important vehicle on display in the NRM Station Hall. Certainly more so than the Royal Carriages and much more influential economically, socially, technologically.
Burning tyres again.
November 15, 2025 at 7:49 PM
Burning tyres again.
Really good Museum Meeting in Leeds, but it never ceases to amaze me how not once in this year of grace 2025 that the trains from Manchester/Leeds haven't been utterly fucked up in some way.
That said, however, Murray200 is shaping up to be a fantastic event. Watch this space early railway fans!
That said, however, Murray200 is shaping up to be a fantastic event. Watch this space early railway fans!
November 15, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Really good Museum Meeting in Leeds, but it never ceases to amaze me how not once in this year of grace 2025 that the trains from Manchester/Leeds haven't been utterly fucked up in some way.
That said, however, Murray200 is shaping up to be a fantastic event. Watch this space early railway fans!
That said, however, Murray200 is shaping up to be a fantastic event. Watch this space early railway fans!
He never stops talking! Speaking about Charles Beyer at Schools Out launch of LGBT+ History Month 2026.
Feel free to photoshop in cats, instruments, etc.
Feel free to photoshop in cats, instruments, etc.
November 14, 2025 at 9:42 AM
He never stops talking! Speaking about Charles Beyer at Schools Out launch of LGBT+ History Month 2026.
Feel free to photoshop in cats, instruments, etc.
Feel free to photoshop in cats, instruments, etc.
A useful meeting this week for a PhD at Southampton Uni, potential project looking at early railway management and who these people were - mostly naval and army officers. 1825-1871 including my beloved Admiral Binstead. Two supervisors already in place; suggesting a Jan start. Problem is funding it
November 12, 2025 at 9:12 AM
A useful meeting this week for a PhD at Southampton Uni, potential project looking at early railway management and who these people were - mostly naval and army officers. 1825-1871 including my beloved Admiral Binstead. Two supervisors already in place; suggesting a Jan start. Problem is funding it
Oh God, the darkness roll away, which clouds the human soul,
And let they bright and holy day, speed onward to its goal.
Let every hateful passion die, which makes of kindred foes,
And war no longer raise its cry, to mar the world's repose.
Rev. William Gaskell.
And let they bright and holy day, speed onward to its goal.
Let every hateful passion die, which makes of kindred foes,
And war no longer raise its cry, to mar the world's repose.
Rev. William Gaskell.
November 9, 2025 at 12:51 PM
Oh God, the darkness roll away, which clouds the human soul,
And let they bright and holy day, speed onward to its goal.
Let every hateful passion die, which makes of kindred foes,
And war no longer raise its cry, to mar the world's repose.
Rev. William Gaskell.
And let they bright and holy day, speed onward to its goal.
Let every hateful passion die, which makes of kindred foes,
And war no longer raise its cry, to mar the world's repose.
Rev. William Gaskell.
The Saint Pancras of Saint Pancras (reminds me more of a Masonic Temple than an Anglican Church). Stunning building. Gray & Davison organ (1856 + additions) was played by Henry Smart. I really appreciated the cool, calm, and chance to pray, light and candle in a hectic few days.
November 8, 2025 at 4:50 PM
The Saint Pancras of Saint Pancras (reminds me more of a Masonic Temple than an Anglican Church). Stunning building. Gray & Davison organ (1856 + additions) was played by Henry Smart. I really appreciated the cool, calm, and chance to pray, light and candle in a hectic few days.
historical LGBT+ figures involved with science and innovation who will be featured for LGBT+ History Month 2026, alongside Barbara Burford, Elke Mackenzie, Jemma Redmond and Robert Boyle. I feel Beyer's story needs to be told in Gorton next year - even if Gorton may not want to hear it.
November 8, 2025 at 4:45 PM
historical LGBT+ figures involved with science and innovation who will be featured for LGBT+ History Month 2026, alongside Barbara Burford, Elke Mackenzie, Jemma Redmond and Robert Boyle. I feel Beyer's story needs to be told in Gorton next year - even if Gorton may not want to hear it.
Back from London and my first LGBT+ History Month event! A wonderful, joyful, queer, occasion at Burlington House. And then wine with the delightful Tim Dunn. I spoke about Carl Beyerm his possible relationship with Gustav Stieler and why hes important as an immigrant and LGBT. Beyer is one of 5
November 8, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Back from London and my first LGBT+ History Month event! A wonderful, joyful, queer, occasion at Burlington House. And then wine with the delightful Tim Dunn. I spoke about Carl Beyerm his possible relationship with Gustav Stieler and why hes important as an immigrant and LGBT. Beyer is one of 5
A suitably appropriate steed home
November 8, 2025 at 11:16 AM
A suitably appropriate steed home
In what way is Euston station safe? Already crammed concourse. No sitting area for those less abled. Mad rush to platforms when train announced, colliding with mad rush coming up. Had go.laugh at the announcement no running or large groups. Insane.
November 8, 2025 at 10:49 AM
In what way is Euston station safe? Already crammed concourse. No sitting area for those less abled. Mad rush to platforms when train announced, colliding with mad rush coming up. Had go.laugh at the announcement no running or large groups. Insane.
Absolutely. St Pancras is a real Cathedral of the railways. Valhalla. Makes the place next door look like a shoebox.
November 7, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Absolutely. St Pancras is a real Cathedral of the railways. Valhalla. Makes the place next door look like a shoebox.
Me: gazing at me he mother ship.
Tourist: Is this the houses of Parliament?
Me: No. It's Saint Pancras.
Tourist: So it's a church?
Me: No. A railway station.
Tourist: No way....
Tourist: Is this the houses of Parliament?
Me: No. It's Saint Pancras.
Tourist: So it's a church?
Me: No. A railway station.
Tourist: No way....
November 7, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Me: gazing at me he mother ship.
Tourist: Is this the houses of Parliament?
Me: No. It's Saint Pancras.
Tourist: So it's a church?
Me: No. A railway station.
Tourist: No way....
Tourist: Is this the houses of Parliament?
Me: No. It's Saint Pancras.
Tourist: So it's a church?
Me: No. A railway station.
Tourist: No way....
Euston we've landed. What a god forsaken hell hole of concrete and steel.
November 7, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Euston we've landed. What a god forsaken hell hole of concrete and steel.
For all this talk of loving the big Lego D, I see your D and raise you
November 7, 2025 at 9:03 AM
For all this talk of loving the big Lego D, I see your D and raise you
Tomorrow I'm in London speaking about Carl Beyer (of Beyer, Peacock & Co) for the launch of LGBT+ History Month 2026. He's one of five imporant LGBT+ scientists and engineers selected for 2026 theme of science. Of the speakers, I'm the only 'Mr': everyone else is a Dr, Prof, Sir, Dame, MBE, OBE. Eep
November 6, 2025 at 8:48 AM
Tomorrow I'm in London speaking about Carl Beyer (of Beyer, Peacock & Co) for the launch of LGBT+ History Month 2026. He's one of five imporant LGBT+ scientists and engineers selected for 2026 theme of science. Of the speakers, I'm the only 'Mr': everyone else is a Dr, Prof, Sir, Dame, MBE, OBE. Eep
Lots of big stuff on the music desk this lunchtime. Elgar, Thalben-Ball, Franck and 'Sunset' arr Captain A C Green RN. Oh for something better than a 30-year old 'toaster.' Real pipes please.
November 5, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Lots of big stuff on the music desk this lunchtime. Elgar, Thalben-Ball, Franck and 'Sunset' arr Captain A C Green RN. Oh for something better than a 30-year old 'toaster.' Real pipes please.
Communion for All Saints today. In the Autumn light the East Window is mesmerising. Such a strong feeling of the Real Presence preparing the Altar. Overwhelming nearly.
November 2, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Communion for All Saints today. In the Autumn light the East Window is mesmerising. Such a strong feeling of the Real Presence preparing the Altar. Overwhelming nearly.
The boy meets Lego bear. The boy snooze.
October 26, 2025 at 7:45 PM
The boy meets Lego bear. The boy snooze.
Making Lego with the boy
October 26, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Making Lego with the boy
By eck it were parky in t'Chapel. Preaching in my overcoat with hood and gown over the top! Service about mystery via Poirot, Psalm139 and the incarnation. Followed by a Baptism - the bairn really did not want to be baptised and preferred playing with the dish of holy water. Which is fine by me.
October 26, 2025 at 3:23 PM
By eck it were parky in t'Chapel. Preaching in my overcoat with hood and gown over the top! Service about mystery via Poirot, Psalm139 and the incarnation. Followed by a Baptism - the bairn really did not want to be baptised and preferred playing with the dish of holy water. Which is fine by me.
Big ol' box of books: 'Discovering Wakefield's Early Railways'. It does as the title suggests, and explores the earliest railways around Wakefield in West Yorkshire from the 1740s to 1860. From 18th century waggonways and plateways to the first mainlines and complicated history of its two stations.
October 24, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Big ol' box of books: 'Discovering Wakefield's Early Railways'. It does as the title suggests, and explores the earliest railways around Wakefield in West Yorkshire from the 1740s to 1860. From 18th century waggonways and plateways to the first mainlines and complicated history of its two stations.