Steam Train

I like my Saturday walk and some of the footpaths of Leicestershire. Did about 9 miles today and some where along the way today came across a load of steam train nerds waiting on a bridge Well me being a walking and photography nerd I joined them for a bit and snapped this...

(Incidentally the 'headlight' is a white painted disc flap which is a bit distracting in the sun but that's how it was..)

Like that, what memories, I can smell it. Had forgotten how much steam they produced shame it hid the train but gives movement to the image, well done on both the shot and the luck of being there.

Ah those were the days Stuart, I love the sound and smell of steam engines, we have the Scottish Rail Preservation Society near where I live so I'll have to pop down and take some shots soon.

Great photo by the way.

Great shot BC, I think Steam trains are a lovely thing to see

Yes, I came down the lane and saw about 30 or 40 people which for some reason I thought was a fox hunt (even though they are banned, Leicestershire is historically associated with them and they seem to continue). As I got closer I realised it was a railway bridge and most had cameras, video cameras and some had step ladders to see over the bridge. We have an excellent steam railway here run by enthuisiasts and as it was a publicised day of action they had a lot of stuff running on the lines. It is a double track, so basically the trains run faster hence many of the people it turned out came from all over the country. That's as much as know and it was just coincidence I was out walking that way and the timing...I'm not being labelled a railway nerd !

However...most of the guys were 50's/60's in age, talking a different language of numbers and technical details! ...most had video or 20 year plus film SLR's with just one or two digital SLR's on view. Interesting though that hobbies open up routes to other things. I know trainspotters are the subject of ridicule but I had a chat with one or two guys and they go different places in the country and even go abroad to China, India etc. to see old trains. Sounds far better than watching Big Brother or Emmerdale on the tele which is about as interesting a life of many of those that do take the p out of them! (Blimey, must have a strop on this morning!)

Luke when he was very little was obsessed with Thomas the Tank Engine,all steam trains had loads of that Brio train set stuff, so we used to try and find real steam trains for him to visit.

The best one we found was a line in Yorkshire that goes into the moors, and stops off at different locations, including the village where they film some of Heartbeat. It really was a great day, the trains were lovely, even I , enjoyed the train journey.Went to a museum, full of these old trains, and went for ride on the Sir Nigel Gresley, which apparently is cool

tut tut BC - as a hunt supporter I must make a point of order....

even you know that fox hunting is not banned in the UK; it's just the method which has changed. The irony is, since the government imposed an unpolicable law against a majority vote of the country, fox hunting has become even more popular both as an activity and spectacle.

btw, did you get a timetable and route of this train for future reference? In one of the fot mags last month, the 'so you want to be an expert' section featured photographing steam engines. One of the key points was to walk the line to plan your images against your chosen backdrops. I know yours was a chance encounter - magnificant beasts all the same.

JR, because of your support it may be you are probably misinterpreting my few words merely to set a context about my county! I was merely scene setting. I used the word 'banned' because most people would understand that is the terminology around the legislation that exists with intent to prevent fox hunting with hounds as most people understand it. I was in fact acknowledgeing that fox hunts do indeed continue and it wasn't unusual to come across them.

I wasn't in the least bit interested in making any point for or against fox hunting. However, for the record I am not in support of fox hunting nor blasting animals to bits with guns so I know we differ on that point. We all know governments care little what the majority or minority have to say!

i dont think we differ on your point about 'blasting animals to bits' BC - I certainly dont condone that kind of behaviour.

I shoot - I aim to kill humanely and quickly, for the pot. I get no pleasure in killing and have the utmost respect from my prey.

Sorry to have taken your picture off topic.

Great shot! Were not far from Bluebell Railway, been there a few times. Have to be satisfied with the G Gauge oh has in the garden.