What do you think?
Rate this book
Railway Ribaldry: Being 96 pages of railway humour
First published for the centenary of the Great Western Railway in 1935, Railway Ribaldry is an affectionate and humorous look at life on board the company's famous trains, incorporating some of William Heath Robinson's own trademark madcap contraptions.
Featuring almost 100 cartoons - including amusing takes on the varied duties of railway police, the first 'ladies only' carriage and countless 'ingenious plans' and inventions —it is the perfect gift for any railway enthusiast.
Featuring almost 100 cartoons - including amusing takes on the varied duties of railway police, the first 'ladies only' carriage and countless 'ingenious plans' and inventions —it is the perfect gift for any railway enthusiast.
- GenresHumor
96 pages, Hardcover
First published April 3, 1997
About the author
W. Heath Robinson
158 books18 followersWilliam Heath Robinson (31 May 1872 - 13 September 1944) was an English cartoonist and illustrator best known for drawings of ridiculously complicated machines for achieving simple objectives.
His brothers, Thomas Heath Robinson and Charles Robinson were also artists.
In the U.K., the term "Heath Robinson" entered the language during the 1914–1918 First World War as a description of any unnecessarily complex and implausible contrivance, much as "Rube Goldberg machines" came to be used in the U.S. from the 1930s onwards as a term for similar efforts. "Heath Robinson contraption" is perhaps more often used in relation to temporary fixes using ingenuity and whatever is to hand, often string and tape, or unlikely cannibalisations. Its continuing popularity was undoubtedly linked to Second World War Britain's shortages and the need to "make do and mend".
His brothers, Thomas Heath Robinson and Charles Robinson were also artists.
In the U.K., the term "Heath Robinson" entered the language during the 1914–1918 First World War as a description of any unnecessarily complex and implausible contrivance, much as "Rube Goldberg machines" came to be used in the U.S. from the 1930s onwards as a term for similar efforts. "Heath Robinson contraption" is perhaps more often used in relation to temporary fixes using ingenuity and whatever is to hand, often string and tape, or unlikely cannibalisations. Its continuing popularity was undoubtedly linked to Second World War Britain's shortages and the need to "make do and mend".
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
September 7, 2014
If you like Heath Robinson you`ll like this. Its interesting especially due to its background (published to celebrate 100 years of GWR and sold and probably read mainly on trains on the GWR in 1935). However, there are other, better (more comprehensive) Heath Robinson books available.
May 15, 2017
love the cartoons. definitely got a kick out of the different illustrations. a good read.
May 30, 2025
Just brilliant!
September 2, 2014
Like most American children, I was first introduced to engineer Rube Goldberg’s wacky machines through Looney Tunes, Tom and Jerry, and other vehicles of modern culture. However, unlike most American children, I was also introduced to Goldberg’s British counterpart, W. Heath Robinson (1872-1944). My parents had a book of his illustrations, and I spent way too many hours during my formative childhood trying to make sense of it rather than struggling through my McGuffey Readers. So when I recently received a reprint of Railway Ribaldy, Being 96 Pages of Railway Humour (Old House, 2014), sweet nostalgia was in the air.
In 1935, the Great Western Railway (GWR), which linked London to west England and Wales, celebrated its one hundredth anniversary. Well-known World War I illustrator Robinson produced Railway Ribaldy to commemorate the occasion. His cartoons are political and cultural commentaries on the railroads in general and the GWR in particular, suggesting in a highly imaginative way how they evolved into efficient and comfortable means of transportation. That is, with fantastic contraptions that defy physics and the adaption of some of strangest social practices that have been giving laughing readers belly-aches for close to a century.
So if you’re in the mood for some entertaining visual stories documenting railroad “history,” check out this new edition of Railway Ribaldy. I’ll admit the book suffers from an unattractive cover design. The colors and lettering especially scream “outdated” rather than “timeless.” I feel that Robinson deserves something with a bit more posh. I also fear that too many readers will give up too easily on it. Some of the jokes are sure to be lost on today’s American readers, as there are no notes explaining some of the nineteenth century public’s concerns and the GWR’s dilemmas. Yet that can be seen as another opportunity for the reader’s imagination to take over. All flaws aside, I hope your family will enjoy this volume just as much as mine did.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book as a First Reads giveaway winner on GoodReads.com. There was no obligation to write a review.
In 1935, the Great Western Railway (GWR), which linked London to west England and Wales, celebrated its one hundredth anniversary. Well-known World War I illustrator Robinson produced Railway Ribaldy to commemorate the occasion. His cartoons are political and cultural commentaries on the railroads in general and the GWR in particular, suggesting in a highly imaginative way how they evolved into efficient and comfortable means of transportation. That is, with fantastic contraptions that defy physics and the adaption of some of strangest social practices that have been giving laughing readers belly-aches for close to a century.
So if you’re in the mood for some entertaining visual stories documenting railroad “history,” check out this new edition of Railway Ribaldy. I’ll admit the book suffers from an unattractive cover design. The colors and lettering especially scream “outdated” rather than “timeless.” I feel that Robinson deserves something with a bit more posh. I also fear that too many readers will give up too easily on it. Some of the jokes are sure to be lost on today’s American readers, as there are no notes explaining some of the nineteenth century public’s concerns and the GWR’s dilemmas. Yet that can be seen as another opportunity for the reader’s imagination to take over. All flaws aside, I hope your family will enjoy this volume just as much as mine did.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book as a First Reads giveaway winner on GoodReads.com. There was no obligation to write a review.
November 12, 2014
First published in 1935 this classic has new been republished in it's original form. Filled with cartoons and vignettes poking fun at Britain's famous great western railway. Fun, funny, irreverent and easy to read, this book will delight any railway or vintage cartoon enthusiast. My husband who is a huge railway fan thoroughly enjoyed this book! Received as a Goodreads give away, thank you!
September 17, 2014
I received this book for free through a Goodreads giveaway.
Railway Ribaldry was a funny look at images centring around the rail-road in the early 1900's. The images were smart, simple and drew in may different facets of life back in those times.
Railway Ribaldry was a funny look at images centring around the rail-road in the early 1900's. The images were smart, simple and drew in may different facets of life back in those times.
October 10, 2014
I received this book as a Goodreads giveaway.
Delightfully quirky cartoons. This book is a reprint of a book from 1935.
Would make a great gift for any railroad buffs, which is exactly what I'm doing with my copy.
Delightfully quirky cartoons. This book is a reprint of a book from 1935.
Would make a great gift for any railroad buffs, which is exactly what I'm doing with my copy.
March 21, 2015
The title alone is worth picking this one up.
February 8, 2016
Whimsical view of early days of railroads in the UK, by a master of madcap devices.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews