Forum: Railwaymen

One of my gt. gt. grandfathers, James Smith, worked on the railway that ran through mid-Wales from (?)Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth, then north to Caernarvon, the problem is I don't know which one, and am hoping that someone might be able to help me pin point it. James was born about 1836 in...

We are trying to trace a Polish Maintenance Engineer who was working at the Low Level station in Wolverhampton around 1974. Someone is writing a history of their company and did a lot of work for the Polish gentleman but is unable to remember his name. He was apparently close to retiring in 1974....

My grandparents married in Reading in 1916. My mother born there in 1921 and her older brother in 1918. After 1921 due to promotions, they moved to Noel Road, Acton. The house was owned by the Railway and provided to the family presumably as some employee benefit and at a reduced rental rate. The...

I know the answer seems obvious but can anyone tell me exactly the job of a lamp Boy in 1905. My Grandfather Watson Allison aged 18 started work in 1905 as a Lamp Boy at Seaham Harbour Station Co Durham for NER. He progressed to Porter and by the time he retired in 1952 he was a Guard. Would he...

Limited I'net access, may need a new modem. Meanwhile, can anyone tell me at what age a man b 1895 England would usually retire, other than early retirement under health or other circumstances? Chap was a Railway signaller E.Croydon box from about 1917( a guess), retired to Sussex, died 1964....

I just stumbled upon this forum this morning and by reading previous posts, it appears I may be able to obtain some information on one of my great-greats who worked as a railway "platelayer". William Griffiths, born in and around 1830 in Hopesay, Shropshire, was listed as a railway platelayer on...

I have no information really at which Railway my Grandfather worked. All i know is his name was Walter John Mahoney, known as Jack. He died in 1934 aged 48 and he lived at 113 Sheridan Road, Manor Park East Ham London. On his children's birth certificates it states that he was a porter and his...

I read somewhere that there is a fairly significant problem with some of the records on Ancestry, in that one of the Pre-Grouping companies involved has been wrongly identified. However, I cannot remember which one - does anyone know anything about this?

My Grandfather - Edward Jackson (b. 1887) joined the the Lancashire & Yorkshire railway in 1904 or 5, and had continuous service through to 1945, when he died, by which time it had become the London, Midland & Scottish railway. For the greater period he was an engine driver and 'motor man' based at...

My paternal uncle (1906-1984) served with LMS. He went on to become the Kentish Town stationmaster.

Hello, I've never had to use the railway records before as I've never found an ancestor employed by them but I have one now and need a bit of help. I have a William Howick in the 1851 census as a labourer living in railway cottages belonging (I presume) to the London, Brighton and South Coast...

Hi, I am absolutely stuck with details of the death of my G.G.F. and as he has such an unusual christian name it beats the hell out of me. He was NEHEMIAH COOK, born 29 Mar 1839 in NEWPORT PAGNELL. He worked as a platelayer and from my F. I believe he died in an accident on the line to the N. of...

Have been having massive sort through my dad's old photos and found the following. The smaller group photo centre is my grt uncle John, we haven't recognised any in the other photo yet but know several family members worked at Paddington. Grt uncle John was a fireman (?) I think. ...

Just a note to let BG Forum members know that here at the Local Studies and Family History Collection, at Swindon Central Library, we have a full bound run of the GWR staff magazine (1891-1947), plus the British Rail Western Region magazine that followed it (1947-). (We also have a complete run...

It's been a while since I had my Ancestry subscription but I notice people are talking about Railway records being available. I've got 2 different ancestors I'd be interested to know if records exist for them and frankly, whether there is enough useful information to pursue. Can anyone help let me...

I have found an ancestor in the 1901 Irish Census. An English Presbyterian married to an Irish Catholic lady. His employment is listed as 'Senior in G W Rly'. I wonder if anyone could tell me what this job was and why he would be in Dublin. Thank you.

I am looking for any old photographs or information on great grandfather Henry Wiliam Clarke who I believe worked on the Great Western Railway Coaches in 1901 as a signwriter. I am looking for employment details...as much info as I can get please!

I'd love to find the relevant railway records for my ancestor but not sure which area to look in. His census detail always stated Railway Guard and he lived at the same address in the parish of St Pancras London for circa 30+ years, from around 1870. First question... 1870 seems quite early....

I'm looking for William Lobb born abt 1824 who married Mary Ann Blight in Devon but later moved to Crewkerne in Somerset. The 1861 census put his occupation as a Railway Navigator - does anyone know what this is, or what would have been his duties? Any Information would be appreciated. Many...