Steam Railways

[aeolium]

They certainly do, mangerton. Having lived in the Bristol area for much of my life, I tend to get used to these delightful names. My favourites are Ryme Intrinseca [south of Yeovil], and Teffont Evias [west of Salisbury].

I could go on..........................

Betjeman did....

"Rime Intrinseca, Fontmell Magna, Sturminster Newton and Melbury Bubb,
Whist upon whist upon whist upon whist drive, in Institute, Legion and Social Club....

Lord's Day bells from Bingham's Melcombe, Iwerne Minster, Shroton, Plush,
Down the grass between the beeches, mellow in the evening hush."

[I've played cricket at several of those places. Plush has a music festival where IIRC Adrian Brendel plays]

[salymap]

Betjeman did....

"Rime Intrinseca, Fontmell Magna, Sturminster Newton and Melbury Bubb,
Whist upon whist upon whist upon whist drive, in Institute, Legion and Social Club....

Lord's Day bells from Bingham's Melcombe, Iwerne Minster, Shroton, Plush,
Down the grass between the beeches, mellow in the evening hush."

[I've played cricket at several of those places. Plush has a music festival where IIRC Adrian Brendel plays]

That Betjeman should have been set to music for the King's Singers, or Flanders & Swann

[LeMartinPecheur]

alycidon, yes the WSR is delightful, and don't the stations have fascinating names? (Stogumber and Blue Anchor, to name but two.)

I recall my delight in discovering this GW station name as a schoolboy who had just read of a chaplain called de Stogumber in GBS's St Joan.

"Only connect..."

[greenilex]

"Yes, I remember Adlestrop"...

[AmpH]

Whilst waiting for a train at Woking station at lunchtime today, the sounds of a steam train could be heard from the direction of London. To my surprise and delight Tornado, now resplendent in blue, came steaming through at 1305, on the way to Salisbury as ' The Cathedrals Express ' apparently. One of the station staff said she was 5 minutes early at that point. A nice surprise on a beautifull summers day.

[mangerton]

Whilst waiting for a train at Woking station at lunchtime today, the sounds of a steam train could be heard from the direction of London. To my surprise and delight Tornado, now resplendent in blue, came steaming through at 1305, on the way to Salisbury as ' The Cathedrals Express ' apparently. One of the station staff said she was 5 minutes early at that point. A nice surprise on a beautifull summers day.

Lucky you! Any photos? She came to this area three weeks ago, just when I was heading south. Sod's law never fails.

[amateur51]

"Yes, I remember Adlestrop"...

[alycidon]

"Yes, I remember Adlestrop"...

I don't remember the station, and I'm blowed if I can memorise the poem, either. Such a pity - it's only four verses. When God made me, he left out that bit of my brain that should remember words of poems and hymns!

[LeMartinPecheur]

I don't remember the station, and I'm blowed if I can memorise the poem, either. Such a pity - it's only four verses. When God made me, he left out that bit of my brain that should remember words of poems and hymns!

Adlestrop station http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adlestrop_railway_station

[amateur51]

I don't remember the station, and I'm blowed if I can memorise the poem, either. Such a pity - it's only four verses. When God made me, he left out that bit of my brain that should remember words of poems and hymns!

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/adlestrop/


Cross-posted with LMP

[mangerton]

I went to the Lake District for a couple of days last week and visited two steam railways.

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/lrpbuuajdeydpxl/0K8PCkpfOd

I didn't take many pictures, as I took a lot of video, which I'll try to post on youtube. I'm sure you'll be able to work out which is the Ravenglass 15" gauge railway, and what is the Lakeside - Haverthwaite. These small engines are really lovely pieces of work. The sunset was last Sunday at Ravenglass.

I saw the railcar at the Waverley Route Heritage Association's site at Whitrope in the Borders - just where the diesel-hauled train is here.

As I drove south I was delighted to see many signs of activity on construction sites for the Border Railway - not going all the way yet, but thirty miles is a good start.

[Vile Consort]

Taking a week's leave and spending it in charge of operations on the KWVR. And tomorrow, the delights of a board meeting in the evening.

[alycidon]

Thank you, mangerton, for your most interesting post. We did the Lakeside & Haverthwaite a few years ago, but missed the Ratty even though we passed through Ravenglass.

I am very interested in the Borders Railway, and was glad to have your update on that. As soon as it is up and running, we hope to get down from Inverness and ride on it. That is, of course, if I haven't popped my clogs by then, but I'm seventy and in fairly rude health, so it should be a goer.

[mangerton]

This week I went to York for "The Great Gathering" at the National Railway Museum to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Mallard's world speed record for steam. I attended one of the photographer events early on Tuesday morning, and although there were only about fifty people there, we still managed to get in the way of others from time to time. Still, it was worth the early start because later on that day the museum was extremely busy, as it has been all week.

It was a pity that Mallard itself was rather unfortunately placed hard against a similarly coloured roof support, but that's nitpicking. It was a superb exhibition. There was the opportunity to get cab access, and there were some very knowledgeable people on hand to answer questions and give information.

I've put some pictures here.

(Real Ale note: The specially brewed Mallard Beer was excellent. )

[LeMartinPecheur]

Mangerton: thanks for the splendid piccies - wish I lived closer to York

[Clearly the northbound A1 really ought to be renamed the A4 at the moment]