Big Question and Little Questions:
What message is this comic view trying to get across?
How true are comic views of the past?
Why do we use them?
When did the Victorian age end?
Does one period of history really end with a round number like '1900'?
Are historical periods always convenient?

For Information:
Sir Walter Gilbey of Elsenham proposed the building of a railway from his village to Thaxted and Great Bardfield, soon after the passing of the Light Railways Act in 1896. Thaxted was land-locked and six miles from any railway then existing. Parliament tried to reduce the effect of agricultural depression in the countryside. The relaxing of the rules governing the building of railways was to be allowed if farming would benefit or a link was made between a fishing harbour and a market, or to support 'some definite industry'. Money could be provided from the government's treasury. In this case half of the £35,000 cost was provided from the treasury. Work for more people was the aim.

In the event the line was built only as far as Thaxted. Construction began in 1911 and was finished by 1913. Unfortunately George Lee,J.P., of Thaxted who had set up a large sweet factory in Thaxted in the 1890s, 'in spite of the lack of railway accommodation' died about a fortnight after the opening of the railway. There were no significant engineering works on the line. The level crossings were protected by cattle grids only, (then recently introduced from Canada). There were no signals as only one engine was used on the line at one time. Shunting at Sibleys, an intermediate station, was done by using a tow rope. Thaxted station was almost a mile away from the town in order to save the expense of a viaduct over the River Chelmer. The railway was never widely used for freight and passengers were put off by the long walks to each of the stations or halts. The line was closed in 1952.

Significance:
The Thaxted line was the last major rail project in Essex.

Artefacts and Documents for Evidence:
E.R.O. postcard collection.