Drawing of Bob the Railway Dog. It reads “Stop Me Not, But Let Me Jog, I Am “Bob”, The Driver’s Dog.” Image courtesy of the National Railway Museum Port Adelaide South Australia.
We have covered dogs in England and America, but what about Down Under?
In the 1880s, Bob the railway dog was adopted by a guard who ended up later finding employment with the railway. He accompanied the railway crew all over the train, though he most preferred riding up in the engine. Even dogs who did not meet a tragic end still were vulnerable to the dangers of working railroads. Bob received several injuries during his career, many falls from hopping between locomotives and cars, tail caught in doors, even once catching his fur on fire. Despite his troubles, he was a trooper and always bounced back. The only time his friends said he looked miserable was when an employee tried to give him a shave to make him look like a little lion in the middle of winter.
According to E. Cresswell of Adelaide, he wrote this about Bob in 1895, “The most curious part of his conduct is that he has no master, but every engine driver is his friend. At night he follows home his engine man of the day never leaving him or letting him out of his sight until they are back on the Railway Station in the morning, where he starts off on another of his ceaseless journeys.”
Bob the Railway Dog atop the cab of the steam locomotive. Photo courtesy of the State Library of South Australia.
Bob also had a collar made for him. This collar had the saying “Stop Me Not, But Let Me Job, I am “Bob” the Driver’s Dog. “Driver” is the European word for engineer. The collar is on display at the National Railway Museum in Port Adelaide. Bob lived to be at least 13 years old (some saying he was as old as 17) and how he died is still debated. When he did pass, the entire nation and beyond mourned the loss. Thanks to the efforts of a local history group, Bob had a statue made and installed in 2009. You can see this tribute and a small garden in the town of Peterbourgh.
Bob also has a children’s book all about his life. It’s called Bob the Railway Dog: The True Story of an Adventurous Dog by Corinne Fenton and illustrated by Andrew McLean. We sell it at our gift shop and have featured it in our Story Time program. We highly recommend it for any train and dog lover!
Tempting as it may be to bring your own pup along on the train, it will always be safer to leave them at home if they are not a working dog. Most pet dogs do not care much for the loud whistles or the clattering clanks and may bolt in a panic as the train rolls by. The railway cars that run here in the Snoqualmie Valley are historic Museum artifacts, and just like many people do not want dog hair on their antique furniture, the Museum would prefer the historic seat cushions remain dog hair and dander free. It is also important to consider the comfort of other passengers as some may have allergies to dander or even a fear of dogs.
For those who find themselves on an unplanned visit to the Museum on a Saturday, some businesses in downtown Snoqualmie offer doggie daycare services! Or, have a family member stay with the dog at the depot while the rest enjoy the ride. Downtown Snoqualmie is charming and offers great mountain views while you wait with your furry friend. It is always safer than leaving your pet alone in the car, especially on a sunny day.
