Ant Dawson
@railwayhobbit.bsky.social
Historian, Archaeologist, and Museum Professional who is also an Organist, Unitarian, Rower, Geek, into Boardgames, Reenactment, Heavy Metal and with a soupcon of Long-Covid.
Eyes Down Looking: Talk on Blenkinsop & Murray for the Romney Marsh Model Engineering Society.....
December 2, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Eyes Down Looking: Talk on Blenkinsop & Murray for the Romney Marsh Model Engineering Society.....
Looking horribly likely I'll be applying for a PhD by Publication in the Business School at Southampton University in April, for a start in September, looking at railway uniform and the creation of corporate culture, creation of the passenger, and sartorial awareness.
December 2, 2025 at 10:07 AM
Looking horribly likely I'll be applying for a PhD by Publication in the Business School at Southampton University in April, for a start in September, looking at railway uniform and the creation of corporate culture, creation of the passenger, and sartorial awareness.
Oh. And there was Stan.....
November 29, 2025 at 9:20 PM
Oh. And there was Stan.....
Triceratops Pride!
November 29, 2025 at 9:18 PM
Triceratops Pride!
Triceratops exhibition at Manchester Museum. "Leonard" Triceratops skull and life size cgi model. Didn't know about their dentition: many rows of reeds for grinding their food. Still my favourite Dinosaur.
November 29, 2025 at 9:16 PM
Triceratops exhibition at Manchester Museum. "Leonard" Triceratops skull and life size cgi model. Didn't know about their dentition: many rows of reeds for grinding their food. Still my favourite Dinosaur.
Soundwave superior. Optimus Prime inferior. Ravage, Lazerbeak eject!.
Ok. These guys are big. Very very cool. ...but biiiig. Soundwave even has a sound brick. So cool.
Ok. These guys are big. Very very cool. ...but biiiig. Soundwave even has a sound brick. So cool.
November 28, 2025 at 9:06 PM
Soundwave superior. Optimus Prime inferior. Ravage, Lazerbeak eject!.
Ok. These guys are big. Very very cool. ...but biiiig. Soundwave even has a sound brick. So cool.
Ok. These guys are big. Very very cool. ...but biiiig. Soundwave even has a sound brick. So cool.
I picked up a new biography of Napoleon III in Waterstones in York yesterday. The cashier did a literal double-take between the portrait of the Emperor on the book cover, and my moustaches in their imperial majesty.
(the present Imperial Prince told me I looked like his ancestor. which is nice)
(the present Imperial Prince told me I looked like his ancestor. which is nice)
November 26, 2025 at 10:47 AM
I picked up a new biography of Napoleon III in Waterstones in York yesterday. The cashier did a literal double-take between the portrait of the Emperor on the book cover, and my moustaches in their imperial majesty.
(the present Imperial Prince told me I looked like his ancestor. which is nice)
(the present Imperial Prince told me I looked like his ancestor. which is nice)
Birthday times in York
November 25, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Birthday times in York
Toy Service at Hyde Chapel, collecting for Wood Street Mission. We heard from the Gospel of Matthew, about King John a d his rubber ball and how we are like Lego: we can be anything we want to be, the best version of ourselves, held together with love.
November 23, 2025 at 12:18 PM
Toy Service at Hyde Chapel, collecting for Wood Street Mission. We heard from the Gospel of Matthew, about King John a d his rubber ball and how we are like Lego: we can be anything we want to be, the best version of ourselves, held together with love.
Eyes down looking: Railway History & Futures Conference in Paris. An excellent start with a paper by David Turner about development of early railways in England and a partner paper about development in Italy. Now coffee is over, onto how the railway came to Europe. Tres tres bon.
November 21, 2025 at 9:50 AM
Eyes down looking: Railway History & Futures Conference in Paris. An excellent start with a paper by David Turner about development of early railways in England and a partner paper about development in Italy. Now coffee is over, onto how the railway came to Europe. Tres tres bon.
Who knew hobbits liked bouldering? Alas some of the reaches were a bit far! Such a lot of fun, however. The wall is in the engine house of a cotton mill. Cathedral of thing! Was incredibly impressive in it's day: 5,000 ihp triple expansion engine. More climbing please!
November 20, 2025 at 9:31 AM
Who knew hobbits liked bouldering? Alas some of the reaches were a bit far! Such a lot of fun, however. The wall is in the engine house of a cotton mill. Cathedral of thing! Was incredibly impressive in it's day: 5,000 ihp triple expansion engine. More climbing please!
Probably the most important vehicle on display in the NRM Station Hall. Certainly more so than the Royal Carriages and much more influential economically, socially, technologically.
November 18, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Probably the most important vehicle on display in the NRM Station Hall. Certainly more so than the Royal Carriages and much more influential economically, socially, technologically.
Burning tyres again.
November 15, 2025 at 7:49 PM
Burning tyres again.
Really good Museum Meeting in Leeds, but it never ceases to amaze me how not once in this year of grace 2025 that the trains from Manchester/Leeds haven't been utterly fucked up in some way.
That said, however, Murray200 is shaping up to be a fantastic event. Watch this space early railway fans!
That said, however, Murray200 is shaping up to be a fantastic event. Watch this space early railway fans!
November 15, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Really good Museum Meeting in Leeds, but it never ceases to amaze me how not once in this year of grace 2025 that the trains from Manchester/Leeds haven't been utterly fucked up in some way.
That said, however, Murray200 is shaping up to be a fantastic event. Watch this space early railway fans!
That said, however, Murray200 is shaping up to be a fantastic event. Watch this space early railway fans!
He never stops talking! Speaking about Charles Beyer at Schools Out launch of LGBT+ History Month 2026.
Feel free to photoshop in cats, instruments, etc.
Feel free to photoshop in cats, instruments, etc.
November 14, 2025 at 9:42 AM
He never stops talking! Speaking about Charles Beyer at Schools Out launch of LGBT+ History Month 2026.
Feel free to photoshop in cats, instruments, etc.
Feel free to photoshop in cats, instruments, etc.
A useful meeting this week for a PhD at Southampton Uni, potential project looking at early railway management and who these people were - mostly naval and army officers. 1825-1871 including my beloved Admiral Binstead. Two supervisors already in place; suggesting a Jan start. Problem is funding it
November 12, 2025 at 9:12 AM
A useful meeting this week for a PhD at Southampton Uni, potential project looking at early railway management and who these people were - mostly naval and army officers. 1825-1871 including my beloved Admiral Binstead. Two supervisors already in place; suggesting a Jan start. Problem is funding it
Oh God, the darkness roll away, which clouds the human soul,
And let they bright and holy day, speed onward to its goal.
Let every hateful passion die, which makes of kindred foes,
And war no longer raise its cry, to mar the world's repose.
Rev. William Gaskell.
And let they bright and holy day, speed onward to its goal.
Let every hateful passion die, which makes of kindred foes,
And war no longer raise its cry, to mar the world's repose.
Rev. William Gaskell.
November 9, 2025 at 12:51 PM
Oh God, the darkness roll away, which clouds the human soul,
And let they bright and holy day, speed onward to its goal.
Let every hateful passion die, which makes of kindred foes,
And war no longer raise its cry, to mar the world's repose.
Rev. William Gaskell.
And let they bright and holy day, speed onward to its goal.
Let every hateful passion die, which makes of kindred foes,
And war no longer raise its cry, to mar the world's repose.
Rev. William Gaskell.
The Saint Pancras of Saint Pancras (reminds me more of a Masonic Temple than an Anglican Church). Stunning building. Gray & Davison organ (1856 + additions) was played by Henry Smart. I really appreciated the cool, calm, and chance to pray, light and candle in a hectic few days.
November 8, 2025 at 4:50 PM
The Saint Pancras of Saint Pancras (reminds me more of a Masonic Temple than an Anglican Church). Stunning building. Gray & Davison organ (1856 + additions) was played by Henry Smart. I really appreciated the cool, calm, and chance to pray, light and candle in a hectic few days.
historical LGBT+ figures involved with science and innovation who will be featured for LGBT+ History Month 2026, alongside Barbara Burford, Elke Mackenzie, Jemma Redmond and Robert Boyle. I feel Beyer's story needs to be told in Gorton next year - even if Gorton may not want to hear it.
November 8, 2025 at 4:45 PM
historical LGBT+ figures involved with science and innovation who will be featured for LGBT+ History Month 2026, alongside Barbara Burford, Elke Mackenzie, Jemma Redmond and Robert Boyle. I feel Beyer's story needs to be told in Gorton next year - even if Gorton may not want to hear it.
Back from London and my first LGBT+ History Month event! A wonderful, joyful, queer, occasion at Burlington House. And then wine with the delightful Tim Dunn. I spoke about Carl Beyerm his possible relationship with Gustav Stieler and why hes important as an immigrant and LGBT. Beyer is one of 5
November 8, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Back from London and my first LGBT+ History Month event! A wonderful, joyful, queer, occasion at Burlington House. And then wine with the delightful Tim Dunn. I spoke about Carl Beyerm his possible relationship with Gustav Stieler and why hes important as an immigrant and LGBT. Beyer is one of 5
A suitably appropriate steed home
November 8, 2025 at 11:16 AM
A suitably appropriate steed home