KEEPING ON TRACK

There’s much talk of travelling, railways and trains at the moment – in particular, excitement surrounding the new Elizabeth line crossing London and linking up areas and places – some rather unusual pairings which take me back to earlier stages in my life.

For instance, the idea of being able to travel from West to East without all the disruption and delay of changing Tube lines would have been a great boon during my College days at Colchester – especially as I was always laden with suitcases and heavy music bags! After all, Brentwood and Shenfield would have seen me well on my way and avoided the need to call upon London based friends to lend a hand with luggage en route. And then another branch of the new line transports me South East to Abbey Wood and my first teaching job. (I may return to that experience at a later time – perhaps in a ‘Post’ or even in a short story). Abbey Wood now sits proudly at one end of the Elizabeth line but it always felt like the end of the line anyway in my day, even ‘tho trains did continue beyond, further down into Kent and the coast.

I picked up a marvellous book recently in our local charity shop – a real treasure trove and a bit of a bible for any enthusiast or even for anyone mildly interested in trains or British engineering history. It’s the sort of book that you can step on or off when you like and even stroll along the tracks at times! The author is Julian Holland who writes in a very immediate and engaging style and gives equal time to both railways great and small. I mention ‘The Pines Express’ in my book and how in the 1950’s and early 60’s it stopped at Evercreech Junction to pick up passengers travelling up or down the line between Bournemouth and Manchester, and how I used to wave goodbye to Gran on her journey North. In complete contrast and equally memorable was the small branch line running along the valley below our farm. This connected Wincanton with Cole Station in Bruton and was very useful for school children and local markets but also a marvellous time keeper for my father who had no need to wear a watch when working within earshot of the train. I remember travelling on the special school train from Cole to Coventry in 1962 to see the new Cathedral – it took 4 hours I believe – a real experience and a day out to remember. Sadly the little line and very many others disappeared during the 1960’s which makes our trip even more memorable.

I’ve always been keen on trains – whether travelling myself or following the journeys of others, and still get excited at the thought of stepping aboard. I’ll attach 3 contrasting ‘snap-shots’ – one of the amazingly sleek and swift TGV in France, one taken some years ago of the Snowdon steam mountain railway, and one of a local signal box to complete the picture!

 

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