Name: The Lady Carriage Liners of Ashford – Talk by Ann Austin
Start: 2026-04-16T19:00:00+01:00
Location: St Faith's Street, ME14 1LH Maidstone, United Kingdom

$The Lady Carriage Liners of Ashford \u2013 Talk by Ann Austin$

The Lady Carriage Liners of Ashford – Talk by Ann Austin
Thu 16th Apr 2026 - 19:00 - 20:30
Did you know that some of the first women to work in Britain’s railway industry did so in Ashford?
To celebrate the opening of the Carriage Museum, Saturday 18th April, Ann Austin will guide you through the history of the role of women in the railway industry, right here in Kent.
When: Thursday 16th April 2025
Timings: 7 to 8:30pm
Price: £15
Age: 16+
Places: Limited to 40 people
Accessibility: The room and our toilets are fully accessible. If you have additional needs, please let us know in the Accessibility section of the booking link below.
Welcome drink provided.
Booking is essential.
Book Now!
About the Talk:
To celebrate the opening of the Carriage Museum for the Spring Season, Saturday 18th April, local historian Ann Austin shares the untold stories of the “lady carriage liners”—women employed by the South Eastern Railway in the 19th century to help finish and line the interiors of railway carriages. At a time when women’s industrial work was rare—and often frowned upon—these trailblazing women quietly made their mark in a male-dominated world.
Through detailed research, including family history and archival records, Ann brings their voices back to life and paints a vivid picture of their working lives, their challenges, and their place in both Ashford’s and Britain’s railway heritage.
Join us to discover a unique and often overlooked part of our local past.
About the Author:
Ann Austin was born into a proud “railway family” in Ashford’s historic railway village, at a time when many long-standing traditions still endured. After an early career in social services, she earned a BA in Teaching before returning to her railway roots. She went on to complete a Postgraduate Diploma and subsequently an MA in Railway Studies at the University of York. Ann has presented original research at international conferences, with one of her papers published by the Early Mainline Railways Society. She continues to pursue independent research, sharing her findings through public talks and guided tours. In addition, she founded and currently leads the Ashford People’s Library Oral History Project for Ashford Museum.
Tickets are non-refundable unless the event is cancelled by the museum.