A future trip, perhaps
Truth be told, I was probably born too late to be a successful trainspotter. By the time I could coo and crawl, steam was gone from the Island, replaced by tiny perfect Diesels.
I’m a trainspotter by avocation. Locally, there isn’t much to distract one, other than the occasional “calf and cow combo”, using a slug for switching. But there’s a whole world out there, waiting to be discovered. Until such time as I can spend my days counting and logging, I’ll live vicariously. Take this afternoon as an example.
Michael Palin (the Monty one, not a cousin to the Alaskan Rogue) has done some serious travelogue time. Not with the acerbity of a Theroux; rather, he likes to meet people and then carry on along the same road for a bit. I found some earlier efforts, done on contract for the Beeb. Great footage.
The first trip (from 1980) took us from Euston station in London, all the way north to Kyle of Lochalsh. A full 785 miles through England and Scotland, usually behind steam. I’m sure things have changed a little in the interim lifetime of years, but then again, this is England. Trains are still crossing the original viaducts from the mid 1800’s. Locomotives stay in use for close to a century. Things might not change too much.
Michael’s second trip, from 1993, changed islands, and we travel from “Derry to Kerry”. Again, rail right-0f-way is something that doesn’t vanish overnight. Without actual experience, I’m willing to bet that a train trip through Ireland might not vary too much from the film. Of course, I don’t expect to meet the lads from U2 in the next seat, and fares will probably rise, but I’m willing to add this one to an eventual itinerary.
