moving, in the 1890's

[mykin]

If a family moved from, say, Lancashire to Shropshire, in the 1890's, what kind of vehicle would be used? Would it be horse drawn? If so, how long would it take to go this distance? In the 1880's to 90's did nearly every family still use the horse and carriage? thank you

[Sue Mackay]

Depends very much on who they were and the distance involved. The railway network was extensive by the 1890s and might well have been used for longer distances, otherwise horse and cart. Many walked long distances to find work, taking lifts on farm carts as and when they could.

[Geoffers]

.......and canals were still used for transport then.

[uksearch]

If you look in the relevant section of a trade directory you will find details of timetables for coaches from one town to another. That would give you some idea of traveling times. For trains you would need to look at a copy of Bradshaw's.

UK

[MJHulme]

Hello Doe

Preston, which is more or less in the middle of Lancashire is about 80 miles / 130 kms from Shrewsbury, which is pretty well in the middle of Shropshire. I would guess that most people would use the railway by the late 1800's and so it would only take about half a day to make the journey.

Mike

[uksearch]

I was looking at 1830 TD earlier today and it had an advert for a delivery firm which transported goods etc from Manchester to all over the country by horse and cart. It must have listed 60 or more locations...and the name of the firm Pickfords. It just may possibly be THE Pickfords.

UK

[Bob Topley]

I have relatives who were general carters, coachmen and blacksmiths in 1904-5 so the horse was a very common use as a means of transport, the railway and canals. The automobile seemed to get more popular later. I have a relative who was an automotive engineer in 1925 and he was employed in Ireland.

[mykin]

Thank you everyone who answered. I presume that most people would take all their household goods with them. If that being the case, does it change any of the answers to my question? Was there boxcars on the trains for this type of thing? If the goods were sent by train, the owners would probably have to hire a wagon and horses then for a local delivery, is this correct? doe