Interesting thread, at least for us older guys
I was a total train fanatic in my young days, and grew up through the transition from steam to diesel. It was immensely sad to me when the days of steam ended, but I had already found an alternative "fix".
I was at the old Royal High School of Edinburgh, up on Calton Hill from 1965-1968, which overlooked the east end of Waverley. Every day I'd bolt out of school, down a precipitous staircase to Calton Road, just at the end of the overall roof, and climb about fifteen feet up the rock face below St Andrews house to get the maximum view. At 1550, usually bang on time, a Deltic would haul the down Flying Scotsman into P10/11, but that was just the support act.
At 1600 the up Talisman would pull out of P1. That first roar from the twin Napiers, accompanied by a great V-shaped plume of exhaust, was a fantastic experience, amplified by the sound bouncing off the sheer rock face.
I suppose passers by must have had a giggle at the guy in school uniform perched on the rocks above the road. For me though, because of that almost daily experience, the Deltics will always be No1 for me. Would love to hear one starting out of Waverley again just once.
And by the way I had a life, and lots of girlfriends!!!
I was a total train fanatic in my young days, and grew up through the transition from steam to diesel. It was immensely sad to me when the days of steam ended, but I had already found an alternative "fix".
I was at the old Royal High School of Edinburgh, up on Calton Hill from 1965-1968, which overlooked the east end of Waverley. Every day I'd bolt out of school, down a precipitous staircase to Calton Road, just at the end of the overall roof, and climb about fifteen feet up the rock face below St Andrews house to get the maximum view. At 1550, usually bang on time, a Deltic would haul the down Flying Scotsman into P10/11, but that was just the support act.
At 1600 the up Talisman would pull out of P1. That first roar from the twin Napiers, accompanied by a great V-shaped plume of exhaust, was a fantastic experience, amplified by the sound bouncing off the sheer rock face.
I suppose passers by must have had a giggle at the guy in school uniform perched on the rocks above the road. For me though, because of that almost daily experience, the Deltics will always be No1 for me. Would love to hear one starting out of Waverley again just once.
And by the way I had a life, and lots of girlfriends!!!
