Accuracy of Data

There is always the problem of information accuracy. Researchers form opinions and perhaps interpret the same data in different ways. The easiest action is to always say "some one is wrong" when the data at hand varies from data provided. This ignores the fact that the information passed on may be old and more data has come to light.

And there is always the 'furphy' that 'the railway records' are never accurate. Whilst this can be found to be true it ignores the environment of railway record collecting and more importantly ignores a common research dilemma: 'face value'.

So I will formalise my position in regard to using and passing on railway data:

The official records and the data contained there-in have been accepted at face value until such time that contradicting information can show an alternate view. Where there are discrepancies these are shown or noted. If there is no conclusive proof of an alternate view of an historical event, the arguments to show why there is another view must be shown shown. Failure to provide conclusive arguments against an official record and distribute alternate information can only lead to misinterpretation of an historical event and the propogation of incorrect data.

Contradicting data as mentioned above includes such material as

I more than anyone else would like to be proved wrong in many instances. Changes to this CD have come about because interested parties have shown I have presented wrong material. In many cases the material was the best available at the time.

However I feel disinclined to dispute material unless conclusive material is provided.

Perhaps the biggest misunderstanding in this regard is the use of the word 'Scrapped' in official records. Indeed the vehicle in question may not be broken up at all, just removed from the records and left to rust at some yard or workshops, even returning to service.

Data between 1886 and 1960 has been extracted from the VR Registers, Capacity Books and Workshops records

Data between 1960 and the 1980s has been extracted from VR Registers, Workshops records, personal data and photographs.

Data from the 1980s has come largely from Workshops records, personal data, VELAS, ROSCO,internal sources and photographs. In many cases without 'hard' dates a 'circa' date has been used. In all cases, scrappings, conversions and construction, etc did occur; just the dates have not been finalised. This will unfold over the next few years as more data entry is done.

Some information has not been found to date due to not being available or time has not been spent in looking through material in my possession. Where information is implied, this has genereally been added with a marker "[v]" to show that the information has been added by me to fill a gap. In general, Detailed information is from records with supplementary data added in the notes. Less data is shown by approximate dates or year only. Core data years are between 1886 and the 1960's.

Please note: Quite often what is written is not actual what happened. What we are seeing is the 'literal' interpretation. This is particularly obvious for data prior to 1886. The data available between 1859 and 1886 has been transcribed from earlier records which no longer exist. Whilst the railway records may state "Car XXX built 1874" the events are quite different. "Car XXX" is only shown as having been built in that year, not what the original code and number was. This 'literal' translation is subject to starting many 'urban' myths.


Compiled by Peter J. Vincent