Flying Scotsman - a birthday treat

Ahh that sounds great. I can tell how much you enjoyed it from the lovely description you painted of it. There's something lovely about riding about in a steam train on comfy , bouncy upholstery isn't there ?!!

Aely Lots of wildlife! your 1000s of sheep may have been munching turnips or swedes. The farmers drive a tractor through the field. pulling an attachment that turns them up to the surface, then let the sheep in to help themselves.

I too went on the Flying Scotsman on Friday, we got on at Alresford. We had the Afternoon tea, in a lovely decorated Dining carriage. Your are right a fabulous trip, you have described it beautifully.
I was surprised how many people waved at the train from fields, Roads and any visual space.

My DH is a Scot, he remembers as a little chap at School seeing it from his school playground and up close at Waverley Station. He was over the moon to finally have the experience of going on that iconic Train.

I had a Railway Children moment a couple of years ago. We were at a level crossing and a bus stopped too. I got out of the car and shouted to everyone on the bus it’s the Flying Scotsman so everyone piled out of the bus to see it. There’s something magical about that train. I was waiting for a train a few years ago and on the other side of the platform were the Orient Express carriages all dressed for dinner; I so wanted to be on that train. What a lovely birthday present Aely and how thoughtful of your daughter.

We went to see it when it was at the railway museum at Shildon. You had to book and to queue but then were able to go on the footplate (it wasn't in full steam but was doing the steam engine equivalent of ticking over) and sit in the driver's seat. It was interesting to find that there's a very narrow corridor leading to the back of the locomotive so that they could change the driver and fireman on long journeys.

It would have been lovely to have been able to travel on a train pulled by it - I'm jealous!

That sounds like the perfect day out Aely something I would love to do as well.

My grandson became very interested in the Flying Scotsman at 7. His father took him to a London terminus, not telling him why. Then they waited on a platform and DGS was thrilled to see the train arrive. He asked his father whether they could go on it. They did and enjoyed an afternoon trip. So glad I gave them those tickets as a birthday present to remember!

Lucky you! My birthday is on Friday and I would love that as a present.

We live near a fields and a rail track & often we see the the Flying Scotsman zushing along, merrily tooting as he goes. We all wave madly at him with silly smiles on our faces.
We feel like we're extras in The railway children. A joyous little moment & he is indeed magnificent to behold. Although the diva mutt hates the whistle!

What a grand day out, Aely, and a lovely description of your journey.
I remember seeing people standing by the railway line at Cullompton once years ago; we pulled off the motorway to see what was happening and the Flying Scotsman went past, slowing up as it went through. A memorable moment.

We often travelled by steam train when I was young as we didn't have a car.

I would love to ride on the Flying Scotsman train as my Great Grandfather used to drive the Flying Scotsman service, many years before the Flying Scotsman Engine was built.. I would love to have met him . I have no photos of him as an engine driver but have a photo of him at age 87 riding a motorbike . A great pioneer.

Sounds lovely.

I booked a holiday to N Wales, and had the idea of the Ffestiniog railway while we were there and went to book. Sorry but perhaps I am mean not to want to pay £130+ for a short trip for us.

It sounds to have been a great day out. How kind of your daughter to give you such an experience. I would love to go!

Visgir1

I too went on the Flying Scotsman on Friday, we got on at Alresford. We had the Afternoon tea, in a lovely decorated Dining carriage. Your are right a fabulous trip, you have described it beautifully.
I was surprised how many people waved at the train from fields, Roads and any visual space.

My DH is a Scot, he remembers as a little chap at School seeing it from his school playground and up close at Waverley Station. He was over the moon to finally have the experience of going on that iconic Train.

What is it about trains that compels people to wave?
My regular walk takes me across a footbridge across the Tay that runs right alongside the railway tracks. An older couple walking their dog were ahead of me and as the regular Edinburgh train chugged past, the man stopped and waved. Surprising number of passengers waved back. Made me smile.
If he did that to cars at the traffic lights, he’d no doubt be considered a bit odd.

We went on the Jacobite, from Fort William to Mallaig, a couple of years ago (also known as the Harry Potter train). At the Glenfinnan Viaduct ( familiar to all those who have seen Harry Potter films) there were hordes of people waiting below to wave to the train. The driver stops for a while for a photo opportunity and we all got a chance to wave back

I absolutely love steam trains, travelled on them a great deal in my childhood because my father was a train buff. I know all the cons of steam engines but they are magnificent.

Aely, have you ever thought of writing professionally? Your writing is so descriptive. I felt as though I was sitting next to you on your wonderful journey.

I was five when Daddy took me with him in the car from Glasgow to Edinburgh to fetch my aunt, who was arriving from London.

She came on the train drawn by the Flying Scotsman and I clearly remember the sight of that magnificent engine drawing in to Waverly station.

Ah, Visgirl, so you were one of the people in the posh bit at the back! My daughter was admiring the Pullman style rear carriages. I liked it up the front. I could really hear the engine. I had picked up a sandwich and a very nice, large cup of coffee at Arlesford to keep me going on the journey.

I have a special liking for the Scotsman, having been familiar with it all my life. My old wooden high chair, a family relic, folded up into a low chair with attached play tray. The whole of the play tray was covered by a picture of the Flying Scotsman. Every time my mother sat little me in it she would say, "One of our family drove that train all the way to Scotland!" I didn't find out who until a few years ago, when I did the family history. It was my Gt Grandmother's cousin, Albert Pibworth.

A few days before the 2020 lockdown I had the pleasure of standing on the footplate and looking out the tiny window he would have looked out of on that record breaking journey between London and Edinburgh (my 2020 Birthday treat).

I agree with Mamar2: you should consider professionally writing! I thoroughly enjoyed reading your description. My DH was railway executive and is still very interested and knowledgeable about all things railway!!

Absolutely amazing and I’m very jealous! X

The only "professional" writing I have ever done was writing up the minutes of meetings at the MoD - and I had to stick to the bare facts then. Hard to wax lyrical about the inner workings of a military aircraft engine anyway. But I'm glad you enjoy my efforts.