Train Driver Extraordinaire

Now that I live in a county that boasts a number of Heritage Railways, I decided to treat myself to a Driver Experience Day. The top picture shows me in the driving seat of a DMU (Diesel Multiple Unit) on the Wensleydale Railway recently. The train (pictured in the middle) was the same as the ones I used to take to school in the early Sixties (Class 101 should you be interested), so it was a great thrill. Unfortunately I released the pressure on the "Dead Man's Handle" and the train brought itself to a halt. This explains the look of consternation on my face.

My left hand was on the throttle/accelerator, and my right hand is on the brake. The gear lever is just to the left of my right hand. The controls are similar to a car but they are all hand operated and feel very different to what I am used to. In the bottom picture I'm doing the maximum permitted speed of 25 mph, and am loving it.

My sincere thanks to Kev who was also on the course, and took all the above pictures. We shot pictures of each others efforts and then swapped by email later. The wonders of technology!

In Training

I can't believe two years have gone by since my last post. There is far too much to relate in one go, but I'll give you the main points.

After our mother died in late 2007 I had a long think about my position. Although I had a good job in an accountancy firm in Edinburgh there was little else to keep me there. After a long hard think I decided to relocate to Yorkshire, like Martyne. I have visited her and Hester a few times in the last couple of years. She lives in a little village, which is not really for me, but the county is lovely and there are plenty of towns and cities, which are more to my taste. Consequently I got a job with a firm in York, and am now living in rented accommodation there. Strangely ironical since I have rented out my flat in Edinburgh in order to pay my rent in York! But that is the state of the housing market at the moment. One day, when things have improved, I will probably sell up and buy a property down here.

The big plus point, apart from being closer to my sister, is that I can now visit the National Rail Museum any time I want. The above picture is of Mallard (or 4468 to her friends), taken during one of my now frequent visits.

I have tried to encourage Martyne to return to her writing, now that she has had time to settle in Yorkshire, and I am confident I can get her back to composing her Blog. Time will tell!

Top News

It's been such a long time since I put pen to paper, so to speak. I have lots of news to tell you. Little sister Martyne and her "companion" Hester are moving to Yorkshire soon. In a way I will miss them although they have spent as much time in the West Midlands as they have in Edinburgh in the last year. I might actually see more of them because I intend to visit them frequently and nip into the National Rail Museum in York in the passing.

On a recent stopover in York they visited a restaurant called Il Treno (that's Italian for "The Train"). I am still waiting for Martyne to send me the pictures, but from her description they dined in a converted old compartment train carriage. This and others were joined to a building which served as an entrance and bar.

My great idea is to build a house along similar lines. I want to build a central lobby with a glass roof and then attach four carriages in a cross formation! I'd love to get some early DMU's, like the ones I travelled to school in, but I guess they are probably all scrapped or preserved now. Modern ones would probably have to do.

I have been sketching plans and hope to build a model eventually. Will keep you all informed.

She's Back

As an aside I want to comment on the picture I had in the last post. I know it was some time ago now, but the family crisis I talk about below meant my energies have been directed elsewhere recently. I have now watched a Harry Potter film and am sure that the house I posted is not the genuine article. In the film there were steps up to the front door, which the one in my picture clearly does not have.
The important news though is that little sister Martyne is out hospital.
I have been very worried. I even went down to the West Midlands to visit her last week. She was going to have her operation the next day and was clearly anxious. Despite this, she put on a brave face. I am very proud of her.
I am sure she will tell you all about her experiences when she is feeling a bit stronger.
Finally I would like to say a big public thank you to Hester. I have always admired her and am so glad she has stood by Martyne in her time of trouble. She's been a brick.

Here Today, Gone Tomorrow

Little sister Martyne seems to have become something of a traveller lately, despite her current lack of mobility. Hester drove her up to Edinburgh last week, so that she could catch up with her paperwork. I was lucky enough to see the pair of them before they returned down south.

I finally seem to be able to attach pictures and Martyne sent me the one below after she returned to Hester's.

This building is situated near Lanark in the Scottish borders and the girls passed it on their way back down south. Those of you familiar with the Harry Potter novels will recognise the name written on the wall. Hester's brother says this is the actual location used in the films but I am not sure. I have got hold of "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" so I will let you know once I have watched it again.

I believe Martyne is planning to publish pictures involving another famous series of novels but I am sworn to secrecy. She may be a bit incapacitated but she can probably still muster a nasty slap if provoked. I value my safety too much so you will just have to watch and wait.

More Grief

Further technical problems. Still unable to upload any pictures so I am afraid you will have to wait a bit longer for more train names and pillar boxes. With Martyne still out of action I am low on source material anyway. I had trouble logging on today and kept getting sent to an e-mail programme. Isn't technology wonderful; when it works!

Martyne is still staying with Hester but the pair of them hope to head north later in the week. She (Martyne) is still having mobility problems, but is able to walk short distances with the aid of sticks. Hopefully with the aid of a wheeled trolley she will be able to cope on her own when Hester goes home again next week. It looks like it is going to be a good few weeks before she can propel herself unaided.

I am a bit concerned about her taking up Newcastle Brown. I voiced this during our last telephone conversation. She has assured me she will only be drinking in moderation from now and will not be touching spirits for a long time to come.

I think she has finally learned her lesson and I am looking forward to her coming home soon.

Get Well Soon

Martyne and I might have our differences, and I have been upset at some of the tricks she and Hester have played on me, but I am deeply concerned about her recent fall. She is a silly old sausage at times, even though she is younger than me.

She likes to push herself to the limit, but it means if she oversteps the mark she ends up in trouble. I am glad the lovely Hester is nursing her and has imposed a sherry ban. It could be Martyne's redemption. I spoke to little sister on the phone earlier and it seem she can now get about a bit with a couple of walking sticks. I hope she will be fit enough to do the journey home to Edinburgh soon.

I had expected to include some pictures with this post but my computer is playing up again and won't let me attach any. I still have some pillar boxes and train names to share with you. Lets hope I can get the problem fixed soon.