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
@bessbbe.bsky.social you're everywhere - well, Arlo is!
On the North Staffs CRP stand at #Crewe, part of #Railway200 Inspiration's visit - plus being dished out by Aventi as part of the kids' goodies bag! 😃👏
On the North Staffs CRP stand at #Crewe, part of #Railway200 Inspiration's visit - plus being dished out by Aventi as part of the kids' goodies bag! 😃👏
January 15, 2026 at 1:16 PM
@bessbbe.bsky.social you're everywhere - well, Arlo is!
On the North Staffs CRP stand at #Crewe, part of #Railway200 Inspiration's visit - plus being dished out by Aventi as part of the kids' goodies bag! 😃👏
On the North Staffs CRP stand at #Crewe, part of #Railway200 Inspiration's visit - plus being dished out by Aventi as part of the kids' goodies bag! 😃👏
@joannecrompton.bsky.social nice to see our work featured alongside you! 😃👏💪
Part of the Tracks through Time exhibition, currently on at Crewe station, whilst Inspiration is in town.
Part of the Tracks through Time exhibition, currently on at Crewe station, whilst Inspiration is in town.
January 15, 2026 at 12:41 PM
@joannecrompton.bsky.social nice to see our work featured alongside you! 😃👏💪
Part of the Tracks through Time exhibition, currently on at Crewe station, whilst Inspiration is in town.
Part of the Tracks through Time exhibition, currently on at Crewe station, whilst Inspiration is in town.
We're on!
Come & see the Railway Work, Life & Death project's contribution to the Tracks through Time exhibition at #Crewe station today.
Part of the #Railway200 Inspiration exhibition train stop.
We've researched staff stories from the area, working with New Vic Borderlines.
Come & see the Railway Work, Life & Death project's contribution to the Tracks through Time exhibition at #Crewe station today.
Part of the #Railway200 Inspiration exhibition train stop.
We've researched staff stories from the area, working with New Vic Borderlines.
January 15, 2026 at 10:58 AM
We're on!
Come & see the Railway Work, Life & Death project's contribution to the Tracks through Time exhibition at #Crewe station today.
Part of the #Railway200 Inspiration exhibition train stop.
We've researched staff stories from the area, working with New Vic Borderlines.
Come & see the Railway Work, Life & Death project's contribution to the Tracks through Time exhibition at #Crewe station today.
Part of the #Railway200 Inspiration exhibition train stop.
We've researched staff stories from the area, working with New Vic Borderlines.
In 2026 #Portsmouth marks 100 years of city status!
Our Portsmouth Area Railway Pasts project recognises & remembers the contributions of railway workers to Portsmouth & the area.
#Portsmouth100
www.railwayaccidents.port.ac.uk/portsmouth-a...
Our Portsmouth Area Railway Pasts project recognises & remembers the contributions of railway workers to Portsmouth & the area.
#Portsmouth100
www.railwayaccidents.port.ac.uk/portsmouth-a...
January 7, 2026 at 11:45 AM
In 2026 #Portsmouth marks 100 years of city status!
Our Portsmouth Area Railway Pasts project recognises & remembers the contributions of railway workers to Portsmouth & the area.
#Portsmouth100
www.railwayaccidents.port.ac.uk/portsmouth-a...
Our Portsmouth Area Railway Pasts project recognises & remembers the contributions of railway workers to Portsmouth & the area.
#Portsmouth100
www.railwayaccidents.port.ac.uk/portsmouth-a...
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...
🚨NEW POSTERS ON DISPLAY! 🚨
Our next Portsmouth Area Railway Pasts #Railway200 posters are now in the up (London-bound) waiting room/ cafe at #Petersfield station!
They tell the stories of Arthur Hobbs & Albert Darnell, who worked at Petersfield in the early 1900s.
#RailwayHistory
Our next Portsmouth Area Railway Pasts #Railway200 posters are now in the up (London-bound) waiting room/ cafe at #Petersfield station!
They tell the stories of Arthur Hobbs & Albert Darnell, who worked at Petersfield in the early 1900s.
#RailwayHistory
December 18, 2025 at 9:19 AM
🚨NEW POSTERS ON DISPLAY! 🚨
Our next Portsmouth Area Railway Pasts #Railway200 posters are now in the up (London-bound) waiting room/ cafe at #Petersfield station!
They tell the stories of Arthur Hobbs & Albert Darnell, who worked at Petersfield in the early 1900s.
#RailwayHistory
Our next Portsmouth Area Railway Pasts #Railway200 posters are now in the up (London-bound) waiting room/ cafe at #Petersfield station!
They tell the stories of Arthur Hobbs & Albert Darnell, who worked at Petersfield in the early 1900s.
#RailwayHistory
In the morning I thought I saw @bessbbe.bsky.social rolling through Southampton Central, in charge of a freight train ...
... & it was - she turned up later that day!
Lovely to see her again in person, to catch up, & to be able to share our locally-focused #Railway200 work 😃
... & it was - she turned up later that day!
Lovely to see her again in person, to catch up, & to be able to share our locally-focused #Railway200 work 😃
December 17, 2025 at 12:03 PM
In the morning I thought I saw @bessbbe.bsky.social rolling through Southampton Central, in charge of a freight train ...
... & it was - she turned up later that day!
Lovely to see her again in person, to catch up, & to be able to share our locally-focused #Railway200 work 😃
... & it was - she turned up later that day!
Lovely to see her again in person, to catch up, & to be able to share our locally-focused #Railway200 work 😃
It was a pleasure to meet @chris56cornell.bsky.social in person - we seem to have spent ages missing each other until then!
Here's Chris in front of the slide about his grandfather, Charlie - & more on Charlie here:
www.railwayaccidents.port.ac.uk/charlie-corn...
Here's Chris in front of the slide about his grandfather, Charlie - & more on Charlie here:
www.railwayaccidents.port.ac.uk/charlie-corn...
December 17, 2025 at 12:03 PM
It was a pleasure to meet @chris56cornell.bsky.social in person - we seem to have spent ages missing each other until then!
Here's Chris in front of the slide about his grandfather, Charlie - & more on Charlie here:
www.railwayaccidents.port.ac.uk/charlie-corn...
Here's Chris in front of the slide about his grandfather, Charlie - & more on Charlie here:
www.railwayaccidents.port.ac.uk/charlie-corn...
It attracted a LOT of attention - people really liked having some that was so local on board.
It was particularly gratifying to hear so many people's railway memories, sparked by our display, including from steam-era railway workers.
#Railway200
It was particularly gratifying to hear so many people's railway memories, sparked by our display, including from steam-era railway workers.
#Railway200
December 17, 2025 at 12:03 PM
It attracted a LOT of attention - people really liked having some that was so local on board.
It was particularly gratifying to hear so many people's railway memories, sparked by our display, including from steam-era railway workers.
#Railway200
It was particularly gratifying to hear so many people's railway memories, sparked by our display, including from steam-era railway workers.
#Railway200
Inspiration - done!
Yesterday we took the Railway Work, Life & Death project onto the #Railway200 exhibition train, at #Southampton.
A hectic - but excellent - day.
Thanks to everyone who visited, & the @railway200 team on board & all behind the scenes.
Some highlights ...
Yesterday we took the Railway Work, Life & Death project onto the #Railway200 exhibition train, at #Southampton.
A hectic - but excellent - day.
Thanks to everyone who visited, & the @railway200 team on board & all behind the scenes.
Some highlights ...
December 17, 2025 at 12:03 PM
Inspiration - done!
Yesterday we took the Railway Work, Life & Death project onto the #Railway200 exhibition train, at #Southampton.
A hectic - but excellent - day.
Thanks to everyone who visited, & the @railway200 team on board & all behind the scenes.
Some highlights ...
Yesterday we took the Railway Work, Life & Death project onto the #Railway200 exhibition train, at #Southampton.
A hectic - but excellent - day.
Thanks to everyone who visited, & the @railway200 team on board & all behind the scenes.
Some highlights ...
December 16, 2025 at 10:24 AM
@bessbbe.bsky.social did you just trundle through Southampton Central on 66697 or similar?
Was standing on the platform as we've got the Railway Work, Life & Death project on board Inspiration, in the partner zone!
#Railway200
Was standing on the platform as we've got the Railway Work, Life & Death project on board Inspiration, in the partner zone!
#Railway200
December 16, 2025 at 10:06 AM
@bessbbe.bsky.social did you just trundle through Southampton Central on 66697 or similar?
Was standing on the platform as we've got the Railway Work, Life & Death project on board Inspiration, in the partner zone!
#Railway200
Was standing on the platform as we've got the Railway Work, Life & Death project on board Inspiration, in the partner zone!
#Railway200
With thanks to @balhnews.bsky.social for the invitation, it was a pleasure & an honour to give the 2025 Dymond Lecture last night.
We flagged the #LocalHistory connections in the Railway Work, Life & Death project - particularly fitting in the #Railway200 year!
We flagged the #LocalHistory connections in the Railway Work, Life & Death project - particularly fitting in the #Railway200 year!
December 12, 2025 at 10:31 AM
With thanks to @balhnews.bsky.social for the invitation, it was a pleasure & an honour to give the 2025 Dymond Lecture last night.
We flagged the #LocalHistory connections in the Railway Work, Life & Death project - particularly fitting in the #Railway200 year!
We flagged the #LocalHistory connections in the Railway Work, Life & Death project - particularly fitting in the #Railway200 year!
🚨NEW POSTERS ON DISPLAY! 🚨
If you're at #Havant station, check the FINAL of our Portsmouth Area Railway Pasts #Railway200 posters - now in the ticket office!
They tell the life stories of Joseph Simmons & Frank Purdy, who worked at Havant from 1880s-1930s!
If you're at #Havant station, check the FINAL of our Portsmouth Area Railway Pasts #Railway200 posters - now in the ticket office!
They tell the life stories of Joseph Simmons & Frank Purdy, who worked at Havant from 1880s-1930s!
December 10, 2025 at 11:45 AM
🚨NEW POSTERS ON DISPLAY! 🚨
If you're at #Havant station, check the FINAL of our Portsmouth Area Railway Pasts #Railway200 posters - now in the ticket office!
They tell the life stories of Joseph Simmons & Frank Purdy, who worked at Havant from 1880s-1930s!
If you're at #Havant station, check the FINAL of our Portsmouth Area Railway Pasts #Railway200 posters - now in the ticket office!
They tell the life stories of Joseph Simmons & Frank Purdy, who worked at Havant from 1880s-1930s!
Really lovely to see our Portsmouth Area Railway Pasts work featured in the round-up of #Railway200 activity, in yesterday's Railway 200 Working Group meeting!
It'll be a boost for the project team - well done all involved!
It'll be a boost for the project team - well done all involved!
December 10, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Really lovely to see our Portsmouth Area Railway Pasts work featured in the round-up of #Railway200 activity, in yesterday's Railway 200 Working Group meeting!
It'll be a boost for the project team - well done all involved!
It'll be a boost for the project team - well done all involved!
ONE WEEK TO GO!
Make sure you see our co-produced #Railway200 exhibition, 'The south coast's forgotten railway workers', whilst it's at the University of Portsmouth - on for 1 more week, until 15 December 2025!
There's more on the exhibition here:
www.railwayaccidents.port.ac.uk/finding-the-...
Make sure you see our co-produced #Railway200 exhibition, 'The south coast's forgotten railway workers', whilst it's at the University of Portsmouth - on for 1 more week, until 15 December 2025!
There's more on the exhibition here:
www.railwayaccidents.port.ac.uk/finding-the-...
December 8, 2025 at 9:01 AM
ONE WEEK TO GO!
Make sure you see our co-produced #Railway200 exhibition, 'The south coast's forgotten railway workers', whilst it's at the University of Portsmouth - on for 1 more week, until 15 December 2025!
There's more on the exhibition here:
www.railwayaccidents.port.ac.uk/finding-the-...
Make sure you see our co-produced #Railway200 exhibition, 'The south coast's forgotten railway workers', whilst it's at the University of Portsmouth - on for 1 more week, until 15 December 2025!
There's more on the exhibition here:
www.railwayaccidents.port.ac.uk/finding-the-...
Great to hear that lots of people are reading our Portsmouth Area Railway Pasts #Railway200 project posters, on display at #Petersfield station, #Hampshire, in the London-bound waiting room/cafe.
The current posters are there till Monday 15 December, when new ones go in - do have a look!
The current posters are there till Monday 15 December, when new ones go in - do have a look!
December 5, 2025 at 11:45 AM
Great to hear that lots of people are reading our Portsmouth Area Railway Pasts #Railway200 project posters, on display at #Petersfield station, #Hampshire, in the London-bound waiting room/cafe.
The current posters are there till Monday 15 December, when new ones go in - do have a look!
The current posters are there till Monday 15 December, when new ones go in - do have a look!
🚨NEXT WEEK!🚨
Railway Work, Life & Death project co-lead Mike is privileged to give the 2025 @balhnews.bsky.social Dymond Lecture!
‘Heads – you lose!’ Working for the railways in Britain before 1939
Thursday 11 December 2025, 7pm, online
#LocalHistory #Railway200
www.balh.org.uk/dymond2025
Railway Work, Life & Death project co-lead Mike is privileged to give the 2025 @balhnews.bsky.social Dymond Lecture!
‘Heads – you lose!’ Working for the railways in Britain before 1939
Thursday 11 December 2025, 7pm, online
#LocalHistory #Railway200
www.balh.org.uk/dymond2025
December 4, 2025 at 11:02 AM
🚨NEXT WEEK!🚨
Railway Work, Life & Death project co-lead Mike is privileged to give the 2025 @balhnews.bsky.social Dymond Lecture!
‘Heads – you lose!’ Working for the railways in Britain before 1939
Thursday 11 December 2025, 7pm, online
#LocalHistory #Railway200
www.balh.org.uk/dymond2025
Railway Work, Life & Death project co-lead Mike is privileged to give the 2025 @balhnews.bsky.social Dymond Lecture!
‘Heads – you lose!’ Working for the railways in Britain before 1939
Thursday 11 December 2025, 7pm, online
#LocalHistory #Railway200
www.balh.org.uk/dymond2025
Looking forward to this afternoon's #Railway200 talk to the Department for Transport History Group.
We'll be sharing Railway Work, Life & Death project research on past railway staff safety, including how the current rail industry is making use of project insights!
We'll be sharing Railway Work, Life & Death project research on past railway staff safety, including how the current rail industry is making use of project insights!
December 4, 2025 at 10:15 AM
Looking forward to this afternoon's #Railway200 talk to the Department for Transport History Group.
We'll be sharing Railway Work, Life & Death project research on past railway staff safety, including how the current rail industry is making use of project insights!
We'll be sharing Railway Work, Life & Death project research on past railway staff safety, including how the current rail industry is making use of project insights!
TWO WEEKS TO GO!
Make sure you see our co-produced #Railway200 exhibition, 'The south coast's forgotten railway workers', whilst it's at the University of Portsmouth - on until 15 December 2025!
There's more on the exhibition here:
www.railwayaccidents.port.ac.uk/finding-the-...
Make sure you see our co-produced #Railway200 exhibition, 'The south coast's forgotten railway workers', whilst it's at the University of Portsmouth - on until 15 December 2025!
There's more on the exhibition here:
www.railwayaccidents.port.ac.uk/finding-the-...
December 1, 2025 at 11:45 AM
TWO WEEKS TO GO!
Make sure you see our co-produced #Railway200 exhibition, 'The south coast's forgotten railway workers', whilst it's at the University of Portsmouth - on until 15 December 2025!
There's more on the exhibition here:
www.railwayaccidents.port.ac.uk/finding-the-...
Make sure you see our co-produced #Railway200 exhibition, 'The south coast's forgotten railway workers', whilst it's at the University of Portsmouth - on until 15 December 2025!
There's more on the exhibition here:
www.railwayaccidents.port.ac.uk/finding-the-...
🚨TWO WEEKS TO GO!🚨
Railway Work, Life & Death project co-lead Mike is privileged to give the 2025 @balhnews.bsky.social Dymond Lecture!
‘Heads – you lose!’ Working for the railways in Britain before 1939
Thursday 11 December 2025, 7pm, online
#LocalHistory #Railway200
www.balh.org.uk/dymond2025
Railway Work, Life & Death project co-lead Mike is privileged to give the 2025 @balhnews.bsky.social Dymond Lecture!
‘Heads – you lose!’ Working for the railways in Britain before 1939
Thursday 11 December 2025, 7pm, online
#LocalHistory #Railway200
www.balh.org.uk/dymond2025
November 27, 2025 at 7:08 PM
🚨TWO WEEKS TO GO!🚨
Railway Work, Life & Death project co-lead Mike is privileged to give the 2025 @balhnews.bsky.social Dymond Lecture!
‘Heads – you lose!’ Working for the railways in Britain before 1939
Thursday 11 December 2025, 7pm, online
#LocalHistory #Railway200
www.balh.org.uk/dymond2025
Railway Work, Life & Death project co-lead Mike is privileged to give the 2025 @balhnews.bsky.social Dymond Lecture!
‘Heads – you lose!’ Working for the railways in Britain before 1939
Thursday 11 December 2025, 7pm, online
#LocalHistory #Railway200
www.balh.org.uk/dymond2025
🚨 TOMORROW! 🚨
'Finding Hampshire's railway workers'
Wednesday 19 November, 7pm, online
A talk for @harchivestrust.bsky.social, coming from our Portsmouth Area Railway Pasts project!
#Railway200
More details & booking here:
hampshirearchivestrust.co.uk/events/findi...
'Finding Hampshire's railway workers'
Wednesday 19 November, 7pm, online
A talk for @harchivestrust.bsky.social, coming from our Portsmouth Area Railway Pasts project!
#Railway200
More details & booking here:
hampshirearchivestrust.co.uk/events/findi...
November 18, 2025 at 7:01 PM
🚨 TOMORROW! 🚨
'Finding Hampshire's railway workers'
Wednesday 19 November, 7pm, online
A talk for @harchivestrust.bsky.social, coming from our Portsmouth Area Railway Pasts project!
#Railway200
More details & booking here:
hampshirearchivestrust.co.uk/events/findi...
'Finding Hampshire's railway workers'
Wednesday 19 November, 7pm, online
A talk for @harchivestrust.bsky.social, coming from our Portsmouth Area Railway Pasts project!
#Railway200
More details & booking here:
hampshirearchivestrust.co.uk/events/findi...
A MONTH LEFT!
Make sure you see our co-produced #Railway200 exhibition, 'The south coast's forgotten railway workers', whilst it's at the University of Portsmouth - until 17 December 2025!
There's more on the exhibition here:
www.railwayaccidents.port.ac.uk/finding-the-...
Make sure you see our co-produced #Railway200 exhibition, 'The south coast's forgotten railway workers', whilst it's at the University of Portsmouth - until 17 December 2025!
There's more on the exhibition here:
www.railwayaccidents.port.ac.uk/finding-the-...
November 17, 2025 at 9:01 AM
A MONTH LEFT!
Make sure you see our co-produced #Railway200 exhibition, 'The south coast's forgotten railway workers', whilst it's at the University of Portsmouth - until 17 December 2025!
There's more on the exhibition here:
www.railwayaccidents.port.ac.uk/finding-the-...
Make sure you see our co-produced #Railway200 exhibition, 'The south coast's forgotten railway workers', whilst it's at the University of Portsmouth - until 17 December 2025!
There's more on the exhibition here:
www.railwayaccidents.port.ac.uk/finding-the-...
🚨 NEXT WEEK! 🚨
'Finding Hampshire's railway workers'
Wednesday 19 November, 7pm, online
A talk for @harchivestrust.bsky.social, coming from our Portsmouth Area Railway Pasts project!
#Railway200
More details & booking here:
hampshirearchivestrust.co.uk/events/findi...
'Finding Hampshire's railway workers'
Wednesday 19 November, 7pm, online
A talk for @harchivestrust.bsky.social, coming from our Portsmouth Area Railway Pasts project!
#Railway200
More details & booking here:
hampshirearchivestrust.co.uk/events/findi...
November 12, 2025 at 7:01 PM
🚨 NEXT WEEK! 🚨
'Finding Hampshire's railway workers'
Wednesday 19 November, 7pm, online
A talk for @harchivestrust.bsky.social, coming from our Portsmouth Area Railway Pasts project!
#Railway200
More details & booking here:
hampshirearchivestrust.co.uk/events/findi...
'Finding Hampshire's railway workers'
Wednesday 19 November, 7pm, online
A talk for @harchivestrust.bsky.social, coming from our Portsmouth Area Railway Pasts project!
#Railway200
More details & booking here:
hampshirearchivestrust.co.uk/events/findi...
🚨ONE MONTH'S TIME!🚨
Railway Work, Life & Death project co-lead Mike is privileged to give the 2025 @balhnews.bsky.social Dymond Lecture!
‘Heads – you lose!’ Working for the railways in Britain before 1939
Thursday 11 December 2025, 7pm, online
#LocalHistory #Railway200
www.balh.org.uk/dymond2025
Railway Work, Life & Death project co-lead Mike is privileged to give the 2025 @balhnews.bsky.social Dymond Lecture!
‘Heads – you lose!’ Working for the railways in Britain before 1939
Thursday 11 December 2025, 7pm, online
#LocalHistory #Railway200
www.balh.org.uk/dymond2025
November 11, 2025 at 7:08 PM
🚨ONE MONTH'S TIME!🚨
Railway Work, Life & Death project co-lead Mike is privileged to give the 2025 @balhnews.bsky.social Dymond Lecture!
‘Heads – you lose!’ Working for the railways in Britain before 1939
Thursday 11 December 2025, 7pm, online
#LocalHistory #Railway200
www.balh.org.uk/dymond2025
Railway Work, Life & Death project co-lead Mike is privileged to give the 2025 @balhnews.bsky.social Dymond Lecture!
‘Heads – you lose!’ Working for the railways in Britain before 1939
Thursday 11 December 2025, 7pm, online
#LocalHistory #Railway200
www.balh.org.uk/dymond2025