Llangollen Railway: Afternoon crossing…
It was a quiet afternoon, a quiet day. Home alone and enjoying time working on my layout with some good music playing… I fancied a stroll, some fresh air, the railway beckoned…
The ‘full sized’ railway, the preserved yet living, the ribbon of steel through our valley. A walk down to the village station with the anticipation of experiencing a train… even a diesel… the smell, sight, sound… the vibration as it’s clanking bulk hauls itself and a rake of coaches along the grass engulfed rails alongside the rushing River Dee…
The Llangollen Railway, the Dee valley, the village… I’m blessed to spend my days in a wonderful part of our world. Enjoy your day wherever you are, more soon…
“the smell, sight, sound… the vibration”
…and as quickly as it began it is over, as the exhaust dispersed, passengers on their way, the station quiet and nature returns to the fore as the conversation the river is having with the rocks, the reeds and the bend once again come to the fore…
...I am so glad I took this break and wandered over to check out your blog this morning. This is some wonderful reading.
ReplyDeleteI love railfanning for moments like what you describe and regret that we don't relate them in such personal and honest language as you have. Railfanning is always a lot of waiting, a brief interlude of something anticipated happening, and then a return to calm in a way that would almost make you think that little bit on interruption in the middle was itself imagination at work. Reading this I thought of what it's like to be waiting, taking in the sights, smells, and sounds of the place where the railway is; how detailed that experience can be. How, when the train arrives, it's presence is so dominating that it's hard to grasp the full experience and our mind grasps at as much of it as we can. It all feels so alive.
Chris
Indeed, the trains come and go in an instant really… the quiet contemplation of the place of the railway is equally engaging. Studying the right if way, the track and sleepers up close… watching the signals and their wires and ridding move and change… the distance dings in the signal box a hint of life further down the line. Where I am all is still, but not dead. Just waiting.
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