A New Steam Train

[astroron]

The first steam train built in 50 years:eyepop:
It looks fantastic:)
I traveled on many steam trains when I was a boy;)
OOOPs, sorry
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7810296.stm

[KenGee]

Where, when and what...even better a pic or link

[xstream]

Wow!
Thanks for that Ron, I would just love to go for a ride on it. :love:

[Davros]

Isnt she an absolute beauty. Warms the cockles of the heart. There needs to be a lot more of this to give the world some perspective back.

[jjjnettie]

Nice one Ron, thanks for the link.

[gary]

Hi Ron,

Thanks for the link. They are certainly something that gets into the blood
and I think because they do stimulate every sense they are an exciting mode
of transport.

I remember in China even in the mid-80's they were commonplace, with something
like one being manufactured a day up in Datong and seven out of eight trains
in China then drawn by steam locomotives. By the early 90's, they could still
be seen but were already less common. To see them come shunting through the
station in the freezing, early morning mist, blowing their whistles as they went by,
was a romantic sight. I believe only about three years ago they officially
pulled the last from active service in the network, but undoubtedly there are
some still operating in some capacity there somewhere.

Though not as common as they were in China, you would also see the occasional
steam train in India in the mid 80's.

Alas, diesel and diesel electric are not quite the same. :)

Thanks again for the link!

Best Regards

Gary

P.S.

For train and travel fanatics, highly recommended is Paul Theroux's 1975 book "The Great Railway Bazaar"
about traveling from London to Asia and back again by train.

To this day, when traveling anywhere, Mai and I will warn each other "not to get duffilled", an expression borrowed from
the book. Early on his trip, Theroux shares a compartment with a man by the name of Duffill. At some point,
Duffill alights the train to buy some snacks on the platform, only to get left behind when the train suddenly departs,
his luggage still on board.

[astroron]

Thanks Gary, Jeanette,John, and all:thumbsup: I traveled across India in 1977 by Steam Train which was quite an experience,
On one occasion my carriage was full, and most of the other carriages only had a couple of people in them:shrug: then I realised they all wanted to speak to me:D
I never have felt so popular:rofl::rofl::rofl:

[gary]

Hi Ron,

Great stuff!!! :)

LOL about your popularity as an English speaker. :rofl:
"Hello. What's your name? Where are you from?" Everyone has to have their go. :lol:

What I could never get over was the ordeal of buying a damn ticket at times!
Places like Calcutta you would go to some building on one side of town
and queue for a chit or something which you would then take to another
building on some other side of town where you would stand in another queue to get
exchanged for some other chit which you would then take to another queue to get
your booking. The remarkable thing is you would then arrive at Sealdah railway
station at 9pm, bathed in perspiration, but sure enough there would be your
name typed on the list next to the carriage door. No computers, just hundreds
of bureaucrats, but somehow it would (mostly) work. :lol:

I remember in Pakistan you would look out as the train was moving along
and see the shadow of someone walking along the roof. Next moment, the
back door would hurl open, all the dust would come flying in, and there would
be the chai wallah in his white uniform carrying a dirty great big pot of tea
in one hand whilst balancing a large tray with the cups and saucers in the other. :lol:

We'll have to swap stories some time. :thumbsup:

Best regards

Gary

[astroron]

Great memories Gary:)
Have you ever been to Burma?
I have some very interesting stories from there:D

[gary]

Hi Ron,

Indeed I have and it was one of the most memorable places I have visited.

Everyone talks about the Great Wall and Angkor, but few talk as much about
Pagan, yet the sight of those wats scattered across the plain have to be
one of the truly great wonders of the world. When I was there it felt as if I
had the whole place to myself and going between the wats on an old bicycle
and then exploring each in turn was an unforgettable experience.

Up in the old hill station at Mammyo, you still got around town by stagecoaches.
I remember grass hopper kebabs were popular and late at nights kids
would be out catching insects under the lights which would then become a fried
delicacy.

It's incredible the extent of the old British Raj and how remnants of its
presence still live on.

Would love to hear those stories!!!

Best Regards

Gary

[Jen]

:lol::lol::lol: you should have given them your autograph :lol:

[astroron]

Gary , I hope to be in Sydney sometime this year so I may call and have a drink , and shoot the breeze:thumbsup:

[astroron]

Jen, all as they wanted to do was show of their English;);)

[Jen]

:lol::lol::lol:

[gary]

Ron,

Anytime! Just give us a bell before you set off to make sure we are in town.
Would really look forward to catching up.

All the best.

Gary

[garyp]

looks good Ron:thumbsup: I like steam trains. We like to take the kids on our local one at pleasant point . Always great fun for us. Here is a link to some pics of it.

http://pleasantpointrail.org.nz/index.php?page=gallery

cheers

Gary:)

[Barrykgerdes]

I just love driving my steam trains

Barry

[astroron]

Thanks Gary, I would love to get to NZ one day and go on the railway.
Cheers

[astroron]

Barry, that sure looks like fun.
Cheers