It was only by happenstance that I discovered that the Flying Scotsman was travelling this afternoon through Shropshire. If Brian-next-door hadn't popped round to tell me he was going over to Craven Arms to search for lawnmower parts, I wouldn't have scrounged a lift to the village Post Office and heard the news. Because due to too many enthusiasts causing disruption in the past, the precise times of it's passing had been kept as hush hush as possible. But the nice people at the post office knew. And I told Brian. So this afternoon, Jean and Brian and I hopped over to a very small country bridge in a nearby village. There is Jean in her sun bonnet and Brian nearby in blue, fiddling with his big camera and trying to remember how to turn the flash off. And a local bobby. Just in case.
There were a few of us there, but no serious 'train spotters'. The policeman said they were all crowded up on the other country bridge further up. The sun was very hot. We wilted in the heat and listened for the train, patiently and with good humour. A small boy was hoisted onto his father's shoulders for a better view and the policeman told us that the Flying Scotsman had just left Shrewsbury and was passing Sainsbury's supermarket; it should be arriving soon. Five minutes later, we heard rumblings and squeakings.
Here it comes, around the corner...
Such excitement! Brian had worked out how to turn off his flash and turn on his burst shooting and I just managed to snap it as it thundered through our quiet countryside.
Then it was off and away towards the blue hills of Shropshire, where it would stop briefly at Craven Arms and then head off again to the county of Herefordshire, next door.
As we waved it goodbye, a more modern and dowdier cousin passed it. And then all was peaceful again. The policeman returned to his car, the cyclists headed off and there were friendly waves and nods, as we all shared the happiness of seeing something very special indeed, if only briefly.
11 comments:
There's something really charming about older trains. Thank you for sharing.
Today I learned that trains in the UK, like automobiles in the UK, run on the left side of the track by default. (You'd think that would be obvious, but I'd never considered it before.)
That is very special. As a child I used to have to go up to St Bartholomew's Hospital once a month for my eyes, and I can still remember all the steam trains lined up at Liverpool Street Station. A bygone era. What a thrill to see the Flying Scotsman
How lovely - I love when interesting and special, but random, things happen with no planning just like this - things you can talk about for ages and ages. Glad Brian got the hang of his camera before it arrived!!
Julie :o)
I love steam trains and would travel many a mile to see one. Lucky you.
A special day! I love the old trains; not many of them left to see running the rails.
I would have loved to be there with you all, Gretel, and would definitely have been wearing my new sun hat!
xo
I love this! I love that something simple and beautiful and old was the highlight of the day. I love that you all hung out together, were excited to see it and appreciated the beauty. That's my kinda fun too.
How exciting! I saw The Royal Scot once in Northumberland, about 43 years ago!
This must have been very thrilling, almost surreal! I'm glad I learned about the Flying Scotsman - just imagine how much excitement it brings to people. You are really lucky, Gretel!
Old-fashioned pure excitement. Nice photos.
Seeing the Flying Scotsman is definitely very special. I grew up in the era of steam trains and seeing them -a rare event these days - always brings a lump to my throat. There's a romance to them that modern day trains simply don't have even though we did always end up with smuts all over our faces if we leaned out of the woidows:)
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