All Hallows Eve…
I find myself following familiar roads, retracing a well worn path back to Chirk on this most unholy of evenings…
The streets are awash with parents and little children heading home and teenagers heading out, the most peculiar of haunting hours as the world forgets the real meaning behind the original pagan ceremonies of old and embraces capitalism fuelled consumerism. Now I’m neither religious or spooked but it strikes me as peculiar as I’m driving these streets in search of a treat of my own… a West Coast pair on the logs…
Stood in the cold on Chirk station as revellers heading to Chester arrive for the Holyhead train I hear it first, an unmistakably EMD ying, just audible over the noise from the factory, then a light on the rails as the 57 pair drag the train slowly past the kick back turnout into the log yard pulling right through the station, both working hard despite the favourable conditions and relatively level track. After a long minute paused they propel back and I watch once more the gleaming green and maroon interlopers disappear into the night as if themselves a spiritual apparition - a ghost from the past, this ‘modern’ log train started from Carlisle and has followed the same route with Colas for nearly twenty years, starting out with Virgin liveried Class 57s all those years ago…
And me? Am I a ghost hunter or a lost soul myself?
Stood on the platform I felt very much at home, and the short but timely trip line side was a powerful reminder of who I am and what I am proud of being. Until next time, more soon…
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Very atmospheric! The steam rising in the air. I wish GWR would hire the green 57...
ReplyDeleteIt would look lovely, I’ve always wanted to see the GWR liveried GWR 57! Is it Pendennis Castle? Anyhow, I think the passengers might get cold, as this pair, despite their West Coast garb are an ex Freightliner, ex DRS freight pair.
DeleteI'm with you on the Halloween thing James. The traditional All Hallow's Eve has nothing to do with this manufactured commercial thing that we seem to have adopted since I was a kid. Rant over...very atmospheric little video there. There is something about special about railways at night. A few years ago the preserved King Arthur Sir Samuel was due through my local station on its way back to London on an autumn rail tour. I stopped off on the way home from work and it was a wonderful sight as it passed through the station. Only a couple of the waiting commuters bothered to look up from their smart phones to take in the scene but I have this image of a green 4-6-0 on ten maroon MK1s, shrouded in smoke, gliding effortlessly through Romsey station etched into my memory.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed capturing the moment but equally I do sometimes wish, in hindsight I’d just put my phone away and been in the moment alone…
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