A Day on the Railway

[sally_maria]

The weekend was the first Steam Gala for my local railway for a number of years, and they decided to push the boat out with a major event, including 3 visiting locos (925, 80072, 8572) as well as the 4 that normally work the line.

I was working Friday and Saturday, unfortunately, but was able to volunteer to help in the cafe yesterday (very busy, lot of fun) and to go as a visitor today. My shiny new phone came in very handy, and I took quite a few pictures, some of which you can see on Flickr here.

Highlights of the day including travelling from Toddington down to Cheltenham in the brake van on the back of the freight train they had running all weekend, as well as 3 passenger trains.






As you can probably tell from the picture, it was a draughty trip but the view all round was wonderful. We had the chance to chat with the guard, and a couple of experienced volunteers, and hear a lot more about the history and running of the railway. The most exciting bit was probably going through the tunnel - it's nearly 700 ft long and curves through the hill, so the middle, in the unlit brake van, was pitch black. The last time I was anywhere that dark, it was down a coal mine.

Coming back to Toddington in a slighter better lit vehicle, I looked around the site and had a ride on the narrow-gauge railway. Only about half a mile, but their workshop was open and interesting to look around - though I was rather amused by this sign on the way out.






I also climbed up onto the foot plate of this monster...






She's been under restoration at Toddington since 1983 (she'd been heavily cannibalised for parts for other engines), and they're hoping that she'll be ready to steam later this year.

Finally, back in Cheltenham the Racecourse was being used for a Bank Holiday weekend fun event, and this was the sight we were greeted with, as we came into the station. :-)

Comments

[alitalf]

Hmm - if that sign is on exit from the workshop, it is clearly aimed at the very tiny minority of women who might have been expected to visit the workshop, beck in the days of steam. Maybe the implication was that any woman who went in there was in danger of needing to adjust her dress afterwards? <grin>

[sally_maria]

Well, it's a modern workshop, just an old sign. :-) I doubt many people wear dresses into it at all these days.

[jane-somebody.livejournal.com]

That sign would actually have been originally on the inside of the door of a men's lavatory. It means 'dress' as in 'clothing' and is basically a slightly coyly-worded reminder to men that they should check they have rebuttoned their fly before leaving the loo :-) Similar I suppose to the modern-day signs saying "have you remembered to wash your hands?" that you frequently see on the insides of door leading out of toilet blocks.

[sally_maria]

I thought that's what it was, I just found it amusing out of context. :-)

[jane-somebody.livejournal.com]

I agree, and enjoyed the wording of your cut-text :-) I'm glad you had an interesting and fun day, it sounds great!

[sally_maria]

Thank you. :-)

I've spent quite a lot of time at the railway in the last six months or so, but this was definitely something special.

[alitalf]

I realise this, but why let the facts get in the way of a good story?

[jane-somebody.livejournal.com]

And to add to my earlier comment, 'dress' meaning a lady's skirted one-piece is actually a rather modern usage; in the period when that sign was made/in use that item would be called a gown or frock (depending on level of formality) so there would have been none of the ambiguity of any suggestion of women's clothing at all. (I hope these remarks have been interesting rather than annoying!)

[ithildin]

Sounds like fun!

[sally_maria]

I had a great day. :-) I'm not quite sure I can explain exactly what it is about steam engines that appeals to me - the history, certainly, and I think they somehow have more personality than modern diesels and electrics.

[ithildin]

I come from a train loving family, so I get it :)

[sally_maria]

My Dad, like a lot of boys of his generation, was a keen trainspotter in his youth, but lost interest as steam disappeared from the network. It's been nice to have another enthusiasm in common.