Lost::MikeGTN

An A1 Performance

Posted in Railways on Sunday 5th July 2009 at 8:54pm

It's very unusual that I'm around to catch the first Torbay Express of the season these past few years. However, the slightly earlier timing and excellent weather tempted me out to the lineside. Very few people out and about despite the appearance of celebrity locomotive Tornado - leading me to believe that perhaps people had just forgotten about the start of the runs.

60163 'Tornado' passing Highbridge with 1Z27, bound for Kingswear

Pleased that the trip ran to time and arrived before the clouds closed in, as I don't expect to make the next couple of morning runs. This evening however was a different matter, and with unexpected whistles clearly heard this morning a few more folk had turned out giving the station something of a buzz. There was added tension for us photographers, with a down service minutes away and the sun disappearing behind a mass of black cloud in an otherwise blue sky! Finally, after being pointlessly held for the stopping service to Bristol, Tornado appeared on the horizon.

In fading light, 60163 works 1Z27 back to Bristol Temple Meads

The appearance of a steam locomotive at my home station is still magical, and its always heartening to see the town turn out for the event too.

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Lost::MikeGTN

I've had a home on the web for more years than I care to remember, and a few kind souls persuade me it's worth persisting with keeping it updated. This current incarnation of the site is centred around the blog posts which began back in 1999 as 'the daylog' and continued through my travels and tribulations during the following years.

I don't get out and about nearly as much these days, but I do try to record significant events and trips for posterity. You may also have arrived here by following the trail to my former music blog Songs Heard On Fast Trains. That content is preserved here too.