Battle Fought On The Shields Railway, copy
A disagreement between passengers and Railway Police comes to blows and ends in court.
A disagreement between passengers and Railway Police comes to blows and ends in court.
Femme fatale shares foot warmer and then extorts money from hero.
An amorous encounter leading to a 'breach of promise' suit.
Problems with the local railway service to Jarrow
This category deals with the passengers' experience of railway travel. The earlier items deal mainly with the traveller's experience of the railway infrastructure. Later items are mainly about the interaction between passengers.
Main Themes and Motifs
Chronology
1820-29
1830-39 021
1840-49 146; 184; 304; 515; 534; 589
1850-59 040; 045
1860-69 058; 520; 521*
1870-79
1880-89 041; 377; 328
1890-99 576
1900-09
1910-19
Uncertain: 521; 538
* The earliest and latest dates for this item extend across decades. See item more information.
Historical Background
Before 1850
Early carriages gave a bumpy ride. Primitive couplings between carriages and rudimentary braking systems meant that the acceleration and deceleration of the engine was passed down the train in a wave of violent jerks as the carriages separated and collided with each other. The smoke and cinders from the engine showered down upon the passengers. First class passengers had a roof to protect them but 2nd and 3rd class were not so fortunate. Francis Coghlan (a prolific writer of travel guides between 1833 and 1860) advised 2nd class passengers.
'get as far from the engine as possible - for three reasons, first, should an explosion take place, you may happily get off with the loss of an arm or a leg' whereas 'nearer the engine ' you will probably be blown to smithereens. Secondly ' the vibration is very much dimin-ished, and third 'always sit with your back to the engine to avoid being chilled by the cold current of air which passes through these open wagons and also saves you from being nearly blinded by the small cinders which escape through the funnel'
After 1850
The introduction of parliamentary_trains¹ made railway travel possible for all but the poorest folk. The opportunity to travel was enthusiastically taken up by people of modest means and railways became an important scene of social interaction. See also Railways>Holidays and Excursions by Rail
Scene at Dunoon whence Glasgow bound travellers catch the early morning steamer to Greenock to connect with the city train.
A disagreement between passengers and Railway Police comes to blows and ends in court.
The discomforts of the journey by train and ferry from Glasgow to Dumbarton.
A couple travelling by train use Bradshaw's Guide as a pretext for a flirtation which leads to courtship and marriage.
Description of journey from London to Brighton.
The hero is travelling by train to London when he meets a widow. When the train stops the widow alights and leaves her baby in the care...
A traveller from North Wales to London is robbed by a woman posing as a widow with a babe in arms.
Problems with the local railway service to Jarrow
A naive traveller goes from Dundee to Perth.
An Irishman - accused of travelling without the proper ticket - reacts by attacking his accuser.
An Irishman - accused of travelling without a ticket - reacts violently and is imprisoned.
The story of the hero's journey from Stockport to Manchester and back again on the newly opened railway.
Femme fatale shares foot warmer and then extorts money from hero.
An amorous encounter leading to a 'breach of promise' suit.
A welsh language version of the Charming Young Widow I Met in the Train
A passenger bemoans the discomforts of open carriages.
A disagreement between passengers and Railway Police comes to blows and ends in court.