In search of trains…

It is cold, the house is quiet, bar the snoring of the dogs, my main source of warmth here before the heating kicks in later. I’m restless. Neither book or internet seem to be able to soothe my racing mind. I need trains…

However I’ve already discounted going out. A look at Real Time Trains shows nothing interesting happening, and it’s thirty minutes drive, and it’s cold, and, and, and - excuses. I’ve been here before, I know it helps…

I make a coffee and put it straight in the flask, grab a Kit-kat and the car keys and head for Chirk. The Up! starts on the button and moving off the drive I feel the quiet all around wash over me. The anticipation of seeing something, even if just an empty railway is somehow soothing. I’m quiet. The car is quiet. My mind is quiet.

This Saturday morning experience is one oft repeated. In the spring a gentle stroll to the village station will allow a more mindful connection with my railways…

My railways.

There is something in this - something about trains and models of them, something that doesn’t define me - but somehow explains me, is me? It’s not superficial, it’s certainly not fashionable. It is a vehicle for my life, my health and these days has become more, my purpose. 

Driving, calmer, I decide that with no expectations of what I’ll see it seems natural to use the opportunity to explore new locations. The first doesn’t disappoint with the clarity of this view (top) the natural vanishing point - I thought I’d missed the train here, but did see both the Holyhead and Birmingham destined Sprinters just moments apart, yet neither in a position to get a good photo (second)! 

Too early for coffee a quick check of Real Time Trains shows the steel train is running and I’ve half an hour or so… I have the OS Maps app on my phone which gives me the chance to find a good location easily reached by car - important so I can have a break, have a Kitkat. The railway curves to the left, the Kronospan factory chimneys emit their clouds of steam to the right, a leafless tree frames the shot - yes this is going to work nicely… I hear the level crossing gates behind me activate before I hear the train itself. These modern diesels are so much quieter - a moment later, it comes into view hustling along at 50ish mph with over 22 wagons in tow. As it gets closer I hear it more clearly, it’s working that’s for sure… it passes underneath and the whoosh of air and exhaust is refreshing, recharging - a fuel for my soul. 

Fuel for my soul.

It has always been so - the size, the mass, the sounds, smells, physical sensation - it evokes an energy, an innocent pure excitement. Fuel.

I live my life with models, they will always be my first love. Planning, researching, designing, making, playing, photographing and sharing them is a soothing way to spend my time. It is perhaps more, it is my purpose… but I need fuel though and during these colder, darker months - it is harder to motivate myself to seek it out yet at the same time even more important to do so… be it chasing log trains, wonderful cab rides or just coffee and a Kit-kat. Fuel.

Until next time, more soon…

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