The Songs and Poems:
This section includes songs and poems about real events and also works of fiction. Songs about locomotive drivers can be divided into those that treat the driver as an heroic figure (e.g. bar097~Driver of the Train) and those that treat him as a figure of fun (e.g. bar033~Blinky is Driving Tonight). Most of the items in this section are Music_Hall¹ songs or monologues and most are comic items.
The earliest song to mention a driver is bar224~Llanidloes & Newton Railway. This is a surprisingly late date given the impact of railways and the social prominence of drivers. The social status of drivers made them a good catch for a young woman in search of a husband. See bar201~Johnny the Engine Driver and bar491~Young Man on the Railway
The poetry of Alexander_Anderson¹ is a significant element here. bar282, 683, 688, 691, 692, and 694 are all his work.
Main Themes and Motifs:
- Train crashes
- Accidents suffered by individuals
- The Driver as Hero
Chronology
1840-49 510
1850-59 224
1860-69 201;491
1870-79 282*, 683*, 688*, 691*, 692*, 694*
1880-89 033; 097; 369
1890-99 081; 743
1900-09
1910-19 108
1920-29
Uncertain: 253; 465
* The earliest and latest dates for this item extend across decades. See item more information.
Historical Background:
Well into the 20th century, it was the childhood ambition many small boys to be an engine driver when they grew up. Drivers were the first group of railway servants to join the aristocracy of labour. By 1865 some of them earned more than 40 shillings per week, more than twice the income of most workers [i]. As well as high wages they had continuity of work, an unusual level of security for most workers during the 19th century.
Drivers had to be highly literate at a time when compulsory schooling lasted a mere 5 or 6 years. They had to be self-motivated to gain the level of literacy required to follow the books of regulations and understand the continuous flow of amendments like these issued by the Midland Railway in April 1856.
"some difficulty having arisen in carrying out rule number 64 in the Company's Book of Rules and Regulations, in consequence of misapprehension between drivers and Pointsmen¹ as to which line should, in some cases, be considered the Main line - and which the Branch, the following regulations have been drawn up for the guidance of drivers and pointsmen in the matter, and the particular attention of Drivers is called to the great importance of a strict observance of them.
In order that the Pointsmen may be at all times able to distinguish on which Line a train is coming. Drivers are instructed, on operating at a junction, by any of the lines branching therefrom, to give the same number of whistles they are instruct-ed to do, when approaching the Junction in a contrary direction, and wishing to be turned on that Line.
The Junction Pointsmen have instructions not to lower their semaphores for approaching Trains until the necessary signal has been given, by a Driver, and to report every Train that is stopped in accordance with such instructions.
These Regulations come into operation on 1st May 1856." [ii]
References:
[i] Hobsbawn, Eric. Labouring Men: Studies in the History of Labour (London, Weidenfeld & Nicholson, 1964) p280
[ii] Evans A.K.B. and Gough J.V. (Eds) The Impact of Railways on Society in Britain Essays in Honour of Jack Simmons (Ashgate, 2003) p.