Author Topic: Anyone with railways knowledge? (Read 2055 times)

garethnash · « **on:** Tuesday 19 August 08 14:22 BST (UK) »

I am struggling to find a George Frederick Nash on the census returns but think I may have him.

Problem is my connection is loose. He is on his sons birth certificate as a "SIGNAL FITTER" but the one I have on the 1891 census says "linesman GWR electric".

Are the two occupations connected? I think they would be as I am guessing signals replaced linesman somewhat?

meles · « **Reply #1 on:** Tuesday 19 August 08 14:33 BST (UK) »

A signal fitter would have installed and repaired the mechanical signals. A linesman would have (and still is!) been responsible for warning others working on the track that a train was approaching. I would guess he changed jobs - a linesman is a very responsible position.

I am stumped by "GWR electric" - I'm not aware that they had electric trains then. I will investigate further...

meles

meles · « **Reply #2 on:** Tuesday 19 August 08 14:37 BST (UK) »

Ah - I think I might have it. There were indeed no electric locomotives at that time.

However, the GWR was the first railway company to install electric telegraph beside its lines. So maybe he was the linesman whilst they were installing and repairing the telegraph wires.

meles

garethnash · « **Reply #3 on:** Tuesday 19 August 08 14:39 BST (UK) »

Sorry just realised my original post was wrong. He was a signal fitter in 1898 on his sons marriage (not birth certicifcate!) this is some 7 years after he is listed in the 1891 census as a "linesman GWR electric".

Does this seem right?

meles · « **Reply #4 on:** Tuesday 19 August 08 14:46 BST (UK) »

I think it all stands up still. A change of job. The linesman would have been a foreman too, so a promotion.

meles

garethnash · « **Reply #5 on:** Tuesday 19 August 08 14:48 BST (UK) »

Problem is he is listed as a lineseman 7 years BEFORE he is listed as a signal fitter. So would this have been a downward move then?

meles · « **Reply #6 on:** Tuesday 19 August 08 14:54 BST (UK) »

We don't know what his responsibilities as a signal fitter was. He could have been the foreman there too. He might have been responsible for some of the complicated signal boxes at junctions/large stations.

meles

garethnash · « **Reply #7 on:** Tuesday 19 August 08 14:55 BST (UK) »

Thanks for that. Its always a big problem being certain. This side of my family is a nightmare to as every one of my male ancestors on it was called George Frederick Nash and its addled(?) my brain.

stanmapstone · « **Reply #8 on:** Tuesday 19 August 08 14:55 BST (UK) »

From "The Dictionary of Occupational Terms"
Lineman, electric signal (railway).Lineman, telegraph; telephone lineman (railways). fits up, overhauls and repairs as necessary, overhead lines and signal box instruments for telegraphs or telephones in connection with the railway signalling system.

Stan

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