tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6606798.post6165159008345062854..comments2024-03-28T22:32:50.562+00:00Comments on Liberal England: GUEST POST The uncertain politics of railway preservationJonathan Calderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00730157683743989696noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6606798.post-86049510019493270942013-02-05T23:26:15.147+00:002013-02-05T23:26:15.147+00:00It would be interesting if you did go on, Matt! Pe...It would be interesting if you did go on, Matt! People who get involved with preserved railways tend not to discuss politics in my experience.<br /><br />I think that the "small" in the title of the film referred to the narrow gauge rather than the small organisations that ran preserved lines like the Talyllyn. I think that you are right in that many organisations, founded by enthusiasts, can end up being taken over by those who wish to present a professional face, to emulate those who serve tourist markets well. I think that that may well be the case with many independent museums - to be successful may be seen by some to be a successful small business, whilst others may be more purist in terms of retaining and developing links to history.<br /><br />I think that similar distinctions can apply to political organisations - like the Greens in Germany, which went from being a group of radical individuals with an almost revolutionary agenda, to being a oalition partner in a government which pursued an establishment agenda, albeit moderately pink and the lightest shade of green. <br /><br />Interesting to learn that you have come across a mixture of political positions - I was curious about the identification of people from a Left stance with the workers who actually steamed locomotives, worked as clerks and porters etc, for a living. Some on the Left might see this as a form of misplaced nostalgia, others as empathy for vanished worlds of work in which workers seemed to have real autonomy and practiced real skills that were theirs. Harry Braverman "Labor and Monopoly Capital" comes to mind - but I don't think he ever volunteered on a railway! <br /><br />I would be interested in further comments. Joseph Bougheyhttp://joseph-boughey.blogspot.co.uk/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6606798.post-73609901812868810152013-02-01T19:17:31.039+00:002013-02-01T19:17:31.039+00:00I suppose one of the striking things in my experie...I suppose one of the striking things in my experience on one of the larger preserved railways, is the unholy alliance of the old left and the old right, leavened with a dose of old school liberals.<br /><br />In short, you've got those who are nostalgic about the old experience of the working man, those who want the old ways of doing things, and those who just want the real ale and steam engines.<br /><br />I think the preserved railway phenomenon also tends to hoover up the social misfits (speaking as one myself), which is one of the reasons why the demagogues do so well - Tom Rolt was pushing at an open door, as were elsewhere, to a lesser extent, and at a later date, others. It's only by the grace of God that the SVR didn't end up moore fully in the clutches of Gerald Nabarro, as that particular relationship went sour very quickly. <br /><br />You can see the "small is beautiful" end of things manifest most clearly through the profusion of smaller lines in the last 20 years. <br /><br />Basically, people at the bigger lines end up becoming disenchanted by the polish and professionalism, and want to get back to dirty overalls, an ex NCB austerity tank, and a couple of grubby Mk1s.<br /><br />To that extent the accident that sets up the denouement of the Titfield Thunderbolt is that sort of enthusiast's dream - get rid of the successful set up and use it as a chance to get your hands on the museum piece and some rolling stock cobbled together out of ancient carriage bodies, low loaders, and 200 foot of sisal... I could go on....!Matthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03518529884885022488noreply@blogger.com