Monday, January 25, 2010

Steam Trains!

I am dying to go on a steam train again! P and I were watching Mastermind the other night and one of the contestants had chosen steam trains as his subject. I was fascinated.


Did you ever read "The Railway Children" by Edith Nesbit? The story was about a family who moved to the country after their father was falsely accused of being a spy and put in prison. There is a railway line that goes down the bottom of their garden and they become fascinated by the trains. They strike up a friendship with the old station master, called Perks. Somehow he helps solve the mystery around Father's capture and when he is released after being proven innocent, the family are reunited! It's a delightful story! One that I really think I am going to read again!




There are several trains where you can re-live the sights, sounds and smells of the old steam train. There is one that funs from Kloof to Ichanga called the Umgeni Steam Railway. Maybe that's a good one to go on as it's pretty close to where my folks live! Another nice one could be the Apple Express - lovely picnic, good scenery! I am struggling to think of something nicer than that! A trip throught the Garden Route on a train would be another good one!


Hmmmm! Forget the scenery, forget the picnic baskets! Imagine lying on one of those bunks as the train goes clickety, clack along the tracks, rocking from side to side - quietly whispering "I think I can, I think I can .... ....." then along comes sleep - ooooh! Sounds like heaven to me@

6 comments:

Marcelle said...

iI remember that book and have never been on a stream train but as my dad worked in the railways up country I saw many go past when I visited.

Firefly the Travel Guy said...

Unfortunately due to the drought in this area the Apple Express is running with a diesel loco currently. I wish I had the kind of money to go one a several day long steam trip on Rovos rail.

Hayley said...

You must have read my mind! Coudl think of nothing better.

Not exactly a steam train, but my sister is planning a trip to CT on a train. Apparantly they have upgraded some of the carriages. Her boys are so excited to sleep on a train.

Anonymous said...

love steam trains - there's something romantic about them - went on one last February and had a whale of time..

Country Mouse, City Mouse said...

I don't think I have ever seen a steam train in real life. How lucky are you that you can actually go on one!!

Corey~living and loving said...

I have never been on a train, and I do hope to someday. Your post made me really really really want to. :)