The Golden Age of Steam
 

At the weekend I went on a Steam Train for the very first time in my life.

OMG!!

What a horrible way to travel. Hard seats, minimal suspension on the carriages. Vile, sulphuric smoke belching out the engine and pouring into the carriages as we trundled along.

The inside of the carriages were hotter than hell, and the only 'air conditioning' was to open the window and let even more vile smoke in.

How people can call this the Golden Age is beyond me - it is hard to imagine King's Cross packed with fumigating locomotives. I think I would have choked to death.

A short twenty minute ride was enough to make me feel like I had throat cancer.

Never again!

your kids won't be taking the Hogwarts express then i take it?

Compared with the alternative at the time it probably felt pretty good!

The Golden Age of Steam is not all about steam locomotives and railways as steam engines were used for fire fighting, water pumping, heavy lifting etc etc.

Sound on ... Casey Jones Theme Song

Dave

I remember as a very young lad being allowed on the footplate of a steam loco at Waterloo Station.

What a thrill that was, the really impressive bit was when the fireman opened the door so that I could see the fire-it looked almost white hot and the heat from it was unbelievable. I remember thinking how he could possible keep chucking coal into such a searing heat.

The sight of a loco well wound up with a long train attached was a stirring sight.

Les

Seeing a steam engine, great. Going on a steam train, bit of a let down, especially when it ends at Keighley! :D

I would love to go on a footplate though :cool:

There's nowt comfier than a horse-hair stuffed 1st class seat on a MkI BR coach. They were even thoughtful enough to provide a padded area to rest your head should you need a sleep. Far comfier than current rolling stock, IMHO.

North Yorks Moor line is god's own country... and you can drink 'cos you aren't driving !

LOL

dunx

Not to mention setting land speed records...

BBC NEWS | UK | England | Hampshire | UK team breaks steam car record :thumb:

We have been on the Santa Express for the last 4 Xmas's running, around the 20-22 Dec.

I love the steam engines and old rolling stock, the noise, the smell, the dirt, the sparks....

Nothing better than steaming along through the hills/valleys of Llangollen, freezing cold, with snow on the hills and the light fading.

Santa making his way through the carriages with his Elves giving gifts to the kids....excellent.

The turn around at LapLand station is the best, a photo shoot with santa on his sleigh, and a chance to get covered in steam and ash as the engine pulls up to the carriages, all very Polar Express.

Hmmm.....how many weeks now, ah yes 17. :eek:

All The Best... :D

Some Brits have just achieved the land speed record for a steam car in the States. I think the record was set near the beginning of the 20th century.

Les :)

I totally agree :cool:

Even the standard class seating on a properly maintained Mk1 (which most in preserved service are) is better than anything currently in service :thumb:

Les, see my post #10... ;)

Thanks-I missed it! I want to know who was shovelling the coal?

Les :D

Tiz just a pity the driver of said English kettle was American!!!

As I've said elsewhere: 63 years of technological advancement, several hundreds tons weight advantage and they only managed to go 13mph faster than Mallard. Or 103 years of technological advancement and they only managed to beat a soapbox on wheels by 13mph. FAIL.

Do you have some more info on this? My kids would love it :D

Steve

Yoza/Steve, whilst the Llangollen Santa Express is good (we've been a few times) we did the one on the East Lancs Railway last year (Bury to Ramsbottom) and it's better value for money although the line isn't quite as pretty as Llangollen. In terms of service and experience for the kids, there's not a lot between them, they're both brilliant.

A friend of mine successfully committed suicide by jumping in front of a steam train

He was well chuffed

I would guess Mr Rev was talking about the Llangollen railway:

Santa Specials

Yoza was, I was talking about this one ;)

East Lancashire Railway : Santa Specials

Santa Specials

These picture dont do the trip justice......and its the 2008 trip, but the contact details are the same.

NotRev,

We wouldnt go anywhere else as the drive to Llangollen is part of the day out, we go to the blue pool on the top horseshoe pass. Then have tea at the chainbridge hotel overlooking the rapids and the station, so you see the earlier train leave, and return.

The 4 o'clock ride is the best IMHO as its getting dark, and as I said, if you get the snow, that makes the day.

Cheers Yoza, I will be booking this tomorrow. The interweb only appears to let me book for 12/12 at 11am so I'll get on the phone to book an evening trip.

Steve

Saturday the 19th December @ 1600hrs, I forecast snow........ :)

That's the date I was wanting. See you there....

I'll be the one in the cheap TAG ;)

Steve

Ill be the one with the large pocket watch shouting.... ALL ABOARD, ALL ABOARD, you dont want to be late for the Polar Express. :)

Ive even got the Gold Polar Express tickets laminated, for my lad....got to get into the spirit of it havent you.

How many sleeps ? ;)

:D

Only 22 sleeps till the kids take me to Disneyland Paris :D:D

Where can I get a copy of the Polar Express tickets?

Steve

I lifted mine from the bay...... Polar Express golden ticket.

B E L I E V E :)