The Modern Records Centre holds a full set of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants and National Union of Railwaymen journal the Railway Review, from its first issue on 16 July 1880 to its last (as the renamed Transport Review) in 1990. The early editions of the publication are in a fragile condition and we are in the process of digitising the first few volumes to help preserve them. We intend to make these early issues available online in full at a future date.

In amongst articles on railway working conditions and union organisation, the Railway Review ran some more unexpected stories. A selection of these 'tales of the unexpected' are given below.

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A Station Stormed by Bees, 14 August 1885

"The bees remained in undisputed possession of the station for two to three hours..."

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Another Railway Hero, 27 November 1885

"A gallant action, evincing great presence of mind as well as bravery..."

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Awkward, 22 May 1891

"A young lady... related an adventure she met with in travelling..."

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Shocking Murder on the Brighton Line, 1 July 1881

"... so long as our present complete separation of carriage compartments is perpetrated, so long shall we give the unscrupulous ruffian an opportunity of plying his trade."

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It Was All That Pass, 29 May 1891

Tales from the USA: Outwitting the conductor, part I

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An Ingenious Yankee Passenger, 28 Aug 1891

Tales from the USA: Outwitting the conductor, part II

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Death of Dog 'Help', 11 December 1891

"Without doubt the best known dog in the United Kingdom, and ... a welcome visitor in the homes of both the humble and the great."

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Extraordinary Subsidence on the Furness Railway, 30 September 1892

"An engine swallowed up..."