Railways and Religion

[rogerfarnworth]

The linked article explores some of the interactions between railways and religions.

The featured image for the article is a stained glass window in Emneth Parish Church which is a memorial to Revd. Wilbert Vere Awdry who served as the incumbent of the parish from 1953 to 1965. [9]

In his book ‘The World the Railways Made’, in a chapter entitled ‘The Habits the Railways Changed’, and after a discussion of the dramatic effect the railways had on the consumption of different foodstuffs, Nicholas Faith talks of the food the railways carried not only being physical:

“It was also spiritual, enabling pilgrims to travel far more easily. But there were natural hesitations before God-fearing folk were prepared to use such an obviously secular phenomenon. The Russian bishops, for instance, were afraid that ‘pilgrims would come to the monastery [Sergiev Posad (now Zagorsk), site of the sacred Troitsk monastery] in railway cars, in which all sorts of tales can be heard, and often dirty stories, whereas now they come on foot and each step is a feat pleasing to God’. Despite this reluctance, the Metropolitan himself opened the line from Moscow to the holy spot, and by the time the Trans-Siberian was opened, the church was happy to commission a splendid ‘church car’ to minister to the congregations en route."

Railways and Religion

The featured image for this article is a stained glass window in Emneth Parish Church which is a memorial to Revd. Wilbert Vere Awdry who served as the incumbent of the parish from 1953 to 1965. [9…

rogerfarnworth.com

 

[Purple Train]

There is an old Anglican joke that the reason so many vicars like trains is because they're the only things in the parish that move without the vicar having to push them.

I couldn't possibly comment...

In all seriousness, though, thank you for that article - I've been wondering about starting such a thread for some time. I've often wondered why there appears to be a bit of a correlation between railways and religion, and in the popular consciousness too: wasn't the train in the Titfield Thunderbolt driven by the vicar?

 

[John Webb]

...... wasn't the train in the Titfield Thunderbolt driven by the vicar?

Yes - assisted by a Bishop!

 

[rogerfarnworth]

Yes, you are right.

I was asked to give a talk in 2020 to a clergy discussion group on the subject 'Clergy and Trains'. This group had decided to have its annual outing on The East Lancs Railway and I was to be the after dinner 'entertainment'! It did not work out, for obvious reasons in 2020, as the Covid-19 pandemic altered everyone's plans!

However, as a result of the request, I began to study what was available online and in the press on this subject and the place it takes in the wide range of interests available to the clergy. ... Whether my research counts as original research, I very much doubt. However, you might find what follows of interest!

Clergy and Railways!?!

I was asked to give a talk in 2020 to a clergy discussion group on the subject ‘Clergy and Trains’. This group had decided to have its annual outing on The East Lancs Railway and I was …

rogerfarnworth.com

"It is a truth universally acknowledged that the clergy love trains." So started an article by Ed Beavan in the Church Times on 15th June 2011, entitled 'All Steamed Up About Trains'. [1] On the centenary of the birth of the Revd W. V. Awdry, creator of Thomas the Tank Engine, Ed Beavan asked, in his article in the Church Times, why so many clergy are railway buffs.

 

[Ashley Hill]

Our former railway mission vicar recently passed away. A life long enthusiast and railway photographer he would take photos of all staff he met and freely give them copies afterwards. He would perform funeral services for deceased railway staff on his area for free. He will be sorely missed.