My favourite rail day out is First class advance Great Western with Pullman Dining, on Wednesday 16th December had a first class advance from Paddington to Plymouth on the 12.06 Royal Duchy which has Pullman Dining car, I arrived Paddington about 9am and went straight to lounge to book place in dining car which knew was nearly full, in the end due to late cancellation of booking it was about 3/4 full, with time to kill i settled into my seat in the lounge in the old part, which is quiet and an olde world feel about it, leather seats, fireplace etc, and read the free magazines and papers, enjoying the free coffee and juices, very civilised.
At about 11.40am went to the dining car, where I had the Risotto which was nice, followed by Steak which delicious as usual,expertly cooked with vegetables then a warm chocolate Nemesis, which was a gooey naughty chocolate indulgence, dread to think the calories in that, then usual coffee, and all too soon arrived in Plymouth, got off the train feeling all is good with the world, what are other peoples favourite rail journeys?
Easy one. Exeter Westwards until St Erth and then the branch to Lelant. For me it's coming home. St Erth to Penzance is not so bad either. Looking over the river Exe to the Cathedral after St Davids, the journey looking down over the Exe river, to Lympstone, then to Exmouth, seeing the sea birds riverside when the Tide is out., turning westwards at Starcross, and the English Channel and the sandstone cliffs towards Teignmouth. Looking across the River Teign especially if the tide is in.
Skirting South Dartmoor. Arriving in Plymouth knowing that in a few minutes I'll be out of accursed Devon and into Gods own Duchy. Passing by Devonport and acknowledging all those who gave their lives in defence of our nation. Then the glorious Royal Albert Bridge and first sight of my homeland. After that the special feeling that I am back in Cornwall again. You feel it even through the floorboards of the train no matter the class. If you don't then I certainly do.
Passing St Germans - always good. First stop Liskeard - a tremendous feeling hearing the "train manager or whatever the guard is called these days" mention it. Approaches to Truro and seeing "our Cathedral" where I was once a chorister, is very special, and where these days I'm likely to "de-train" (God Help us!).
Passing between Redruth and Camborne (where the train don't stop Wednesdays - never has done and I doubt ever will - always a goodie Jethro) and seeing Carn Brae memorial and the Redruth TV and Radio transmitter, then at Hayle, looking across the estuary and seeing St Ives in the distance for a few seconds and then "The Church in the Sands", St Uny Church where I was baptised, and the village of Lelant which was my home for many years.
Seeing the station at Lelant from where and to I made so many journeys in my lifetime. Then arriving at St Erth, looking at the signal box (is it still there), and the junction and line to St. Ives, then looking forward to St Erth Station to see if the branch train is in the bay Platform. Getting off the train, and breathing that special air, crossing the bridge and watching the train travel on to Penzance , looking at the buildings at the station and walking down the steps to board the St Ives train. These days having to ask the "train Manager or whatever they are called these days" to please stop at Lelant and joy of joys when clearing the road cutting, the tide is in.
The Hayle river estuary is full of sea water, and looking at it's best. The weather is glorious, just a slight breeze. Arriving at Lelant, stepping off the train with a satisfied smile on my face, turning to wave at the train as it leaves, watching it disappear around the bend towards Porthkidney beach, St Ives Bay and the view to Godrevy Lighthouse and to Carbis Bay and St Ives, knowing that in a couple of days I will enjoy the same journey and that indeed happy in the fact that once again I AM HOME! Another journey home safely completed and all is good in the Universe.
