As I Stepped Off The Train

“as i stepped off the train…”

By Michael James

“As I stepped off the train, past memories of trains, stations and journeys came flooding back.” So wrote my good friend John as he shared with me his story of a life-time spent, in, on and among trains and railway folk. He went on to say that, “Train travel, when operated smoothly and correctly, is the most civilised mode of transport (after the wheel) the world has invented and which brings people of every country together.”

The current debate in this country would seem to present a somewhat different picture. Daily railway commuters would probably agree in theory, but the practicality of overcrowded trains, often running late or even not running at all, makes what should be a lovely, relaxed journey, a nightmare. Then there is the ongoing question of the value of the proposed HS2 train (now agreed in part), from London to Birmingham and eventually, to Manchester and Leeds. Is it going to be worth it? What is the value of railways in this day and age?

Last year I wrote about 'My Mate Steve' and in January of this year I wrote about, 'My Mate Steve's Dad'. Steve and John West are great railway enthusiasts, and much of their spare time and holidays are spent visiting railway stations all around the UK and abroad. Steve is what many would know as 'a train spotter' but both he and his dad, are much, much more than that. Thought by many with a slightly 'superior' attitude, to consider those who love railways as, 'anoraks' and therefore 'beyond the pale', is to not recognise the depth of knowledge that they have. They can easily identify the type of engine, the size of it's wheel base, and it's locomotive horse power, as well as knowing the history of rail transportation around the world. You and I may be fans of our own interests and hobbies, but railway enthusiasts are also 'fans' of their world which is much larger than we might imagine, and with a friendship group that can be found on any station across the world. John has written a piece which he has allowed me to share with you now. He calls it 'A Railway Story'.

As I stepped off the train, memories of trains, stations and journeys came flooding back. After nearly 70 years of rail travel on such diverse lines, such as the Brecon Narrow Gauge Railway, with it's 4hp steam engine, travelling through our beautiful countryside from Merthyr to Ponsticill, or on the mighty, unit called 'The Canadian', which runs from East to West across Canada. From Halifax in Nova Scotia, with it's Titanic Museum, across the plains of Ontario and the lakes of Manitobia, through the Rocky Mountains of Alberta, to the lands of high timber and grizzly bears in British Columbia before finishing in Vancouver on the shore of the Pacific Ocean. The range of locomotives (engines), from probably the worlds most famous steam engine, George Stephenson's 'Rocket, built and trialled in 1830, right through to the modern day Japanese Shinkansen 'Bullet' capable of travelling at 200 mph from Tokyo to Kyushu in the shadow of Mount Fuji, the world of the railway is huge in it's capacity and variety.

It is not only the locomotives that have changed over the years, perhaps even more importantly for the passengers, the carriages have become more comfortable. Early carriages were no more than open 'Cattle Trucks', in which the passengers were subjected to the mercy of the elements of wind and rain, to say nothing of being enveloped in smoke, to the more luxurious and famous 'Orient Express', the South African 'Blue Train and the 'Siberian Express.' The modern travel experience on these trains is just like being inside a moving first-class hotel, with sleeping compartments, complete with en-suite facilities, dinning rooms where a full range of first class cuisines can be taken whilst enjoying the beautiful scenery though your window. Then there are the 'Club Cars' where drinks, both local and international, can be sampled all through the night, if desired. What a way to travel and get to see places

and things only dreamed of, and all at affordable prices, with perhaps the exception of the UK.

What about the commercial side of the railways – the goods or freight carriers. Once, nearly all our goods were carried by rail, rather than clogging up our already crowded roads, with ever increasing size, heavy good vehicles. The goods trains throughout the world come in all shapes and sizes of wagons and their specialised manufacture has enabled the commercial world to transport its products across vast areas, linking towns, countries and continents quickly and safely. One striking example of this is in the quadruple headed freight train of the Santa Fe Railroad which runs across the USA, controlled by a single driver. Ever since the early days of the railways there have been tremendous strides made in the power source required to drive the different locomotives. From the steam engines, powered by Welsh coal, shovelled by hand from open swaying platforms in all types of weather, through to diesel and electric and, more latterly, by computer controlled engines. Just recently Steve and I were delighted to see four of the new No.195 Electric locomotives. The advancement in train technology go on and we can only marvel at the extent of man's knowledge and engineering skills.

As I stepped off the train onto the station platform, I could not help but think of all the contrasting surfaces and surroundings I have experienced over the years. From the relatively new glass domed, multi-million pound St. Pancras, in London, from which the Euro Star and French TGVs cross under the English Channel to the Gare de Nord, Paris in just over 2 hours, to the main station in Oslo, faced with highly polished tiles off which you feel that you could eat your food, or the marble museum style grandeur of the famous Grand (Central) Union Station in New York. Then there are the dusty stations of the crowded railways in India, with their Char Wallahs (tea sellers) serving hot fresh tea, threading their way through competing sellers of cooked food and souvenirs. The beauty of the Indian Mountain Railways, taking you ever upward to the coolness of the hilltop stations, once loved by the Officers and families of the British Raj. Here the trains travel so slowly that you can get off at one station and climb up to the next stop by the time that the train has wound its way around the mountain side.

So many stations, with so many happy memories, but my favourite is at Banff, Canada, on the line of the wonderful, 'Rocky Mountaineer'. It consists of just ten wooden sleepers that have been laid by a single line track that stretches in the distance as far as the eye can see in both directions, As you stand there, away in the far distance, a tiny light appears and you begin to hear the famous American Mourning Whistle. As the approaching light gets bigger and the Whistle gets louder, the monster is upon you. Five of the largest Pacific Class locomotives, two at the front, two at the back and one in the middle, pulling the 210 goods trucks, thunder by and the rear red light and the Whistle disappears into the darkness and you are left with an experience never to be forgotten.

As I stepped off the train, I was surrounded by people of all shapes, sizes, colour and dress. From the smartly dressed business people to family groups with different styles of luggage and food baskets, and excited families with labelled suitcases, searching for the right platform, train and seat. On the Indian sub-continent, train travellers who are prepared to travel on the train in whatever way they can, inside, or hanging on the outside, sitting on the roof or even hanging underneath, all determined to travel by rail.

To Steve and I and to many others worldwide, this is the fascinating and magical world of the railways. As we step down from our next train I wonder what other exciting experiences await us.........? We can't wait!