Thursday, 8 March 2007

Station Jim

Hello Everyone,

Today Jim travelled into London to visit a local records office in his search for any family history. He decided to travel by train and while he waited on platform 5 he took a photo of Station Jim, a very famous dog who is preserved for posterity in a glass case. I hope you like the following story of his short life.

 

                                         STATION JIM


Next time you visit Slough Station, spare a minute or two to go to Platform 5 and see 'Station Jim'. He stands proudly in a glass case, with his collecting box strapped across his shoulders.

Jim was brought to Slough Station as a three month old puppy in 1894 and soon began working as a Canine Collector for the Great Western Railway Widows and Orphans Fund. He knew many tricks and was taught to bark whenever a coin was put into his collecting box.

 

Poor health meant that he worked for a relatively short time, but nevertheless he managed to collect the sum of £40 (equivalent to over £2,500 today)!

He died suddenly, in his harness, in November 1896. He was so popular that the local community raised money for his body to be stuffed and placed on display in a glass case. A collecting box was placed alongside his case to ensure that Jim's good work would continue.

 

 

 

Daily Reflections

"The wind doesn`t lend itself to being grasped by the hand or being touched. But nevertheless there is such a thing as the wind. Just so there is nirvana but one cannot point to nirvana, either by its colour or shape."

 

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

Very interesting story.  I've never heard of the RR using a dog to collect fares.  He must have been loved by the locals for them to want his story to be told down thru time.   Linda in Washington state

Anonymous said...

What a little hero.   Eileen x

Anonymous said...

What a delightful story ,so pleased  your Jim thought of us and took the picture ...love Jan xx

Anonymous said...

Read this week that the last station cat on the southeastern network died in his basket on the station master's desk at Tonbridge.

Anonymous said...

Sandra what a lovely story ~ isn't he a regal looking little boy ~ Ally

Anonymous said...

I read about this dog on the internet Sandra a few weeks ago.all the history of him.It was realy good I enjoyed it.Came across it by accident loooking for something to do with railways as my nephew is a train driver.Happy you have put it in your posting for others to read.It's amazing what that dog could do.He performed alsorts of tricks too.Take Care God Bless.
Astoriasand.http://journals.aol.co.uk/astoriasand/MYSIMPLERHYMES

Anonymous said...

I like the story of Station Jim.  Looks like he was a cute dog!  Must have been so loved.
Have a good day.
Pam

Anonymous said...

Cute story..very thoughtful of hubby to share..
have a great weekend
hugs
Lyn

Anonymous said...

Isn't that lovely!   I loved that story.  Hope your Jim had a successful trip.
love Angie, x

Anonymous said...

From one dog lover to another thank you for sharing that story. I loved the quote too! I wrote it down it touched me to the point I wanted to keep it at hand. (Hugs) Indigo

Anonymous said...

I like the pic and the story about this hard working dog.
love,lisa

Anonymous said...

((((((((((((((((((((HUGSTOYOU))))))))))))))))))Beatiful,He was such a cute Dog.Thank you for sharing this with us.Have a nice night.

Anonymous said...

He's beautiful Sandra! Thanks for telling us about him, he sounded quite a character! Jeannette xx  http://journals.aol.co.uk/jlocorriere05/Welcometomytravels/  

Anonymous said...

what a wonderful story love zoe xx
http://journals.aol.co.uk/zoepaul6968/DomesticAbuse/

Anonymous said...

What a beauty of a dog...hope you and Jim have a wonderful weekend...hugs and love,
Joyce

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful story, thank you for sharing Old Jim with me.

By for now,

John.

http://journals.aol.co.uk/jacks989/OldJohnsMemories

Anonymous said...

Awww what a lovely story ~ thanks for sharing it with us :-)

Jenny

http://journals.aol.co.uk/jmoqueen/MyLife

Anonymous said...

Aww, Station Jim, he was a handsome thing wasn't he :o)
Sara   x

Anonymous said...

Wow!  I don't know which I like more - the story of Station Jim or your quote!  Thanks for sharing both, I loved 'em!

Susie
http://journals.aol.co.uk/susanebunn/ItAllStartsAfter50/

Anonymous said...

That is a neat story although I think the stuffed dog is a bit creepy hahaha!!!

Kara :)

Anonymous said...

Great story  and also quote Sandra....not sure about the pic though lol!  Eve