trainspotting.co.uksteam train at speed 57
To Wolverton, my old stamping ground of 50 years ago, to catch up with Princess Elizabeth on the Doric Olympian. The station is a shadow of its former self but there's never a dull moment with fast and slow lines in constant use. But although I saw perhaps 30 trains there was only one two-tone horn, despite the growing audience...and of course Lizzie's apology for a whistle - I'm sure Stanier could have done better.
Mind you the guard on the Northampton train had a novel way of getting people on board - 'beam me up Scottie' - look out for it at 48 secs.
In the old days the semaphore signals would tell you when a train was due - today it's the platform announcement - usually to 'stand well back'. There were two false alarms for the D O - both Class 66s, the second of them not doing much except stealing the best bit of sunshine. Then 6201 rushed by - apologetic whistle and all.
So it was back there 7 or so hours later to catch the return - just as speedy, and in a swirl of after-dark smoke - not bad for a 75 year-old.
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