Steam Railways

[mangerton]

As mangerton mentioned steam trains on another .thread I wondered whether anyone would like to nominate a favourite or two.

I am asking for trouble from Anna as I can't spell the Blaenau Ffestinniog Railway in Wales but I shall never forget a trip in the driver's cab, the friends I was with sweet talking him into allowing it. A wonderful experience.

Also I love the very different Watercress Line in Surrey

Any favourites from you ??

Thanks for starting this thread, saly. You lucky thing, getting a cab ride! Aged ten, I got a cab ride from Hawick station to the turntable, about half a mile, and that was a highlight of my youth. Wouldn't happen now, for so many reasons.

I "did" the line from Porthmadog to BF five years ago, but I must go back now the line is complete to Caernarfon.

I have quite a few favourites in different parts of the country, and for different reasons.

Amongst the "preserved" lines, my favourites are the West Somerset, which ends at Minehead, the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, the Keighley and Worth Valley, where I was at the weekend, the Severn Valley, the Dart Valley, and, yes, the Watercress line.

For rail lines on the network, the Settle and Carlisle is well worth a visit, but the best must surely be the steam-hauled Fort William to Mallaig journey, now daily throughout the summer. I've previously extolled the line's virtues, and posted pictures, on the forum.

[salymap]

I go and visit relatives once a year in Lancashire, one train I keep meaning to go on is the East Lancs Railway from Ramsbottom, next time I visit I'll try and do a trip (does anyone know this railway?) The Welsh trains are a delight, there used to be one engine called The Welsh Dragon. Friends thought it terribly funny to take a photo of me beside the nameplate! I think it's the smell of steam that's intoxicating and romantic. One of my great-grandfathers was a boiler maker for GWR.

I'll never forget my one trip on the BF railway through the hills/ mountains in Wales. The driver, Bill Hule [sp?] was known to one of my friends. Sorry about my attempts at the name of the railway, Anna

[Serial_Apologist]

I'll never forget my one trip on the BF railway through the hills/ mountains in Wales. The driver, Bill Hule [sp?] was known to one of my friends. Sorry about my attempts at the name of the railway, Anna

I'm sure the Welsh Dragon will forgive, saly!

[Don Petter]

We live within striking distance of two excellent preserved railways: The Bluebell, and the Kent and East Sussex. They are both thriving, and indeed extending, the former to East Grinstead by next Easter and the latter to Robertsbridge in the foreseeable future.

The best bargain, which we indulge in fairly often, is to get platform tickets (now called ‘station access’ – ugh!) at Sheffield Park, on the Bluebell. These only cost something like £1.50 each for ‘seniors’ and give access to all areas (platforms, restaurant, engine shed, museum, and soon carriage shed, and, of course, shop), but not the trains. So you can have a great time watching, photographing, eating, etc with all the comings and goings of the various locos and stock. Let’s face it, the only place you can’t see the engines and trains is on board one, so it seems little loss once you have ridden on another occasion.

A little further from us, but an easy day trip, is the Romney Hythe and Dymchurch, which should be experienced by all who are interested in steam. The 15 inch gauge locos, at one third full size (ten mainline models, as well as the ‘Bug’ and a couple of diesels) are beautifully maintained and a joy to behold.

http://www.rhdr.org.uk/pages/locos.html

[salymap]

Thanks for starting this thread, saly. You lucky thing, getting a cab ride! Aged ten, I got a cab ride from Hawick station to the turntable, about half a mile, and that was a highlight of my youth. Wouldn't happen now, for so many reasons.

I "did" the line from Porthmadog to BF five years ago, but I must go back now the line is complete to Caernarfon.

I have quite a few favourites in different parts of the country, and for different reasons.

Amongst the "preserved" lines, my favourites are the West Somerset, which ends at Minehead, the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, the Keighley and Worth Valley, where I was at the weekend, the Severn Valley, the Dart Valley, and, yes, the Watercress line.

For rail lines on the network, the Settle and Carlisle is well worth a visit, but the best must surely be the steam-hauled Fort William to Mallaig journey, now daily throughout the summer. I've previously extolled the line's virtues, and posted pictures, on the forum.

Thanks mangerton, I hoped you would post on this

[mangerton]

I go and visit relatives once a year in Lancashire, one train I keep meaning to go on is the East Lancs Railway from Ramsbottom, next time I visit I'll try and do a trip (does anyone know this railway?) The Welsh trains are a delight, there used to be one engine called The Welsh Dragon. Friends thought it terribly funny to take a photo of me beside the nameplate! I think it's the smell of steam that's intoxicating and romantic. One of my great-grandfathers was a boiler maker for GWR.

It is most definitely the smell, but (pedantically!) it is the mixture of steam and hot oil.

I haven't yet visited E Lancs, but must try to get there next year.

One of my great uncles was an engine driver on the North British Railway. And very sadly, my great aunt's husband was killed in a shunting accident on the NBR.

[Flay]

If this link works - it is a picture I took of Mrs Flay at Le Visham station on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway after it had been occupied by the Nazis

https://www.dropbox.com/s/8rqv7lhew17frsr/Le%20Visham.doc

(during one of the Wartime Weekends) http://www.north-york-moors.com/pick.../levisham.html

[Anna]

And The Dean Forest Railway has Thomas the Tank twice a year!

http://www.deanforestrailway.co.uk/

[Don Petter]

And The Dean Forest Railway has Thomas the Tank twice a year!
http://www.deanforestrailway.co.uk/

From what I've seen all preserved railways have Thomas twice a year.

To be avoided at all costs, as far as I'm concerned.

[mangerton]

Let’s face it, the only place you can’t see the engines and trains is on board one, so it seems little loss once you have ridden on another occasion.

Oh, I don't know! At the risk of grit in one's eyes..... Here are two I took earlier. One at the weekend, and the other - for saly - five years ago at the BF in Wales.

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/59411788/KWVR.JPG

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/59411788/BF.jpg

[Anna]

Oh, I don't know! At the risk of grit in one's eyes.....

Surely the grit in the eye is part of the Romance? Where would Brief Encounter be without a piece of grit?

[mangerton]

From what I've seen all preserved railways have Thomas twice a year.

To be avoided at all costs, as far as I'm concerned.

Yes, I'd have to agree with that. OTOH, these days are great money-spinners for all concerned, and if that helps to keep preserved lines going then I'm all for it.

[mangerton]

Surely the grit in the eye is part of the Romance? Where would Brief Encounter be without a piece of grit?

Indeed, you are quite right. I'd be delighted to remove the grit from your eye at any time.

That said, I don't know if you're a fan of Wodehouse, but removing grit from ladies' eyes got Bertie Wooster into trouble on more than one occasion.

[Anna]

Well, I keep getting told I should read Wodehouse ....... Otherwise I'll meet you on the East Lancs next year (be sure to have a clean handkerchief for grit removal!)
And, staying ontopic, how could I have forgotten the Sussex Railways.

[mangerton]

Well, I keep getting told I should read Wodehouse ....... Otherwise I'll meet you on the East Lancs next year (be sure to have a clean handkerchief for grit removal!)
And, staying ontopic, how could I have forgotten the Sussex Railways.

I shall look forward to it, and I'll bring a large supply of freshly laundered linen.