If you could...

If you could go back in time... What day in history railway wise would you go back to? Can be anything from a day out with a pair of your favorite machines to photting Caley tanks on the Killin branch. Dont be shy please do tell and reasons why

 

5/6th march 66 last weekend of S&D

 

Definitely S &D, but more than likely last Pines. Heaviest passenger train ever dragged up the Mendip Hills by one loco. Noise must have been incredible!

 

So many classic moments to choose from but Arlesey, my local station, on 29/9/1935 to see 2509 tear through at 112mph, or Stoke Bank on 3/7/1938 to see 4468 flash past at 120mph+, would be my short list and I really can't choose between them so would have to toss a coin.

 

I would elect to return back to the Isle of Wight in the 1960s before BR withdrew steam motive power. Riding those wonderful heritage coaches was bliss. Even the journey to get there brings back pleasant memories, starting with a 4COR EMU down to Portsmouth Harbour, followed by an ex-SR paddle ferry across to the island.

Chris

 

Hmm, I'd probably like to go back in time somewhere local, where I could relate, so either the current GWSR when the cornishman rushed through, perhaps with a coffeepot trundling past, or the current cheltenham spa station, as at one time it must have been a very bus station with trains coming from Honeybourne, kingham, plus the currently existing route.

And somewhere not local at all, opening day on the leek and manifold light railway, a fascinating little railway, on opening day they utilised every single piece of rolling stock the line owned including goods wagons, putting the station platform benches on the wagons for passengers!

 

Cheers for replys fellas intresting reading my own would involve more modern traction. Either GT3 on the GC or Kestrel on test on the East Coast. 2 Machines Im totally fascinated by.

 

If one could go back in time, really go back. One thought would be the London & Birmingham Railway's Directors and Shareholders special from Euston to Boxmoor (where a picnic lunch was provided) on 29th June 1837. Provided that I can bring enough scrap aluminium from the 21st century, purchasing the shares required should be straightforward. (Time travellers trade aluminium back and gold forward.)

Or if one was feeling brave, how about the 5.50 pm local from Newport, Fife to Dundee on Sunday 28th December 1879? - Do however remember to wrap up well and not miss it!

 

I'd be on the footplate of City of Truro the day Moses Clements supposedly took her down Wellington bank at 100 mph

 

The Dornoch branch on a sunny autumn day in 1956 with the HR 0-4-4 and the LMS BCK with a string of goods wagons at the back.
Charles B

 

It's before my time but I'd like to hang around Gowhole yard, at the northern end of the old Midland Line through the Peak, on a busy Mid 50s day with lots of freight and the odd Manchester Central - St Pancras express. Jubilees, Black 5s, Crabs, 8Fs, the odd Super D and Austin 7, Derby 4s and 3s, and the occasional Beyer Garrett and 9F.

Top gricing for those of the freight persuasion.

 

Last Pines over the Mendips - that's a good one, I might try that.
But I certainly would want to miss William Shelford's choice !

I think I might be tempted by a "Night Mail", but in the middle of summer.........or possibly a trip over the Waverly Route behind something tasty in motive power.

 

For the Waverley route a V2 would be my choice. Some wonderful sounds of them on Peter Handford's "Railway to Riccarton"

 

Absolutely! Or a hot summer day in say, 1950 at Horham, Mid-Suffolk Light, with a J15 on a mixed train, or an evening about the same time at Beccles Bank, with a pair of B17s on a combined "up" fish train ex Lowestoft/Yarmouth, or Woodrolfe Crossing, Tollesbury in 1940, to see H.M. the King inspect a coastal defence train (Dean Goods with GW "crocodiles" mounted with 6" guns), or...........

 

A Day on the Camerton branch during the filming of a certain film would be a nice day to spend few hours... Post this as I finish watching said film, what a cracker!

 

Festiniog Railway, Portmadoc in the mid 1880s - to watch and ride on the world's premier narrow gauge system would have been tremendously exciting.

 

Or how about Carlisle Canal's 60095 on the Waverley sleepers (22:10 ex Waverley to St Pancras) over the Waverley route ? The atmosphere of looking out of the droplight on a clear August evening with the sound of the Pacific's exhaust and the sight of the glare from the firebox were an unrepeatable experience that I can still visualise over 50 years after sampling it.

 

I'd go back to the days of mainline steam in S Wales. As a lad by the time I was old enough for my mum to let me go into Cardiff spotting it was virtually all diesel traction in Cardiff and Newport.

 

Glasgow St Enoch Station, late 50's. A Corkerhill "5X" on a train bound for Stranraer, with the loco crew working home and in a hurry. The men of the Glasgow & South Western were well known for their no-nonsense hard charging exploits and on such a trip, it would have been one hell of a ride!!

Being slightly greedy, I'd like one more trip back in time, to Scotland again if you don't mind. This time, Inverness in July 1948. 34004 Yeovil is working south on the Highland main line during the locomotive trials of that year, oh to be on that train; with the legendary Bert Hooker firing, Yeovil breaks any number of records and misconceptions, marvelous stuff!!

Now, where is that Tardis?

Cheers

Alan