Here are the last few locomotive shots for the time being. To keep up with the puns in some of the comments on yesterday's post I have to say I was totally stoked to get these shots, I was literally on the right track for the first one but as excited I was I didn't get steamed up with the whole experience.
Sorry, that was a bit painful I know but we have my youngest brother and my oldest school friend to blame for that. If you can come up with any other crazy puns feel free to leave a comment.
Anyway I love these pictures, they invoke some great memories and I hope that you enjoy them as much as me.
Having spent some time in the engine sheds exploring and watching the engineers at work I was thrilled to finally see a steam locomotive pull into the station. I am not a train enthusiast but there is something special about these engines and it was good to be there to share the excitement of those gathered on the platform either waiting to board the train for its onward journey or who like me where just there to witness the spectacle.
Tomorrow I will share another view of this train. Over the past few days I have posted black and white images because I felt they fit with the subject matter but on such a bright summer day the engine looked splendid and against the scenic background I think it looks a treat in full colour.
This curious metal structure was left seemingly abandoned in the bushes at the edge of the path by the engine sheds. It is a part of the internal structure of the steam engine; the carefully engineered frame houses the system of pipes channeling steam that will eventually drive the wheels. It was quite sad to see it left to rot in the undergrowth.
I was really pleased to be able to get up close to this locomotive as it was building up a head of steam. There were lots of engines to see, in various states of decay and at different stages of repair and I think it must be very rewarding for the engineers to see the fruits of their labour when these marvelous engines are fully restored and running again. It was exciting for me and the other people who with me were enjoying the sights, sounds and smells of years gone by.
The first of today's pictures looks along the tracks towards a diesel locomotive which was also being prepared for the day's work, seen through the steam I think this makes a great image.
The second shot is a close up of the driving wheels and pistons that would soon be taking this engine down the tracks and give a good impression of power and precision.
The title of today's post refers to the steam bursting out and is taken from a Jethro Tull song from the 1971 album Aqualung (coincidentally Bursting Out is also the title of a Tull album) I have included a link to a 1982 performance of the song as that was the year I saw Jethro Tull at Nostell Priory with my dad. It was the first gig I ever attended and I bought my dad his ticket. So not only has this post been nostalgia for the era of the steam engine but also for my introduction to live music and a passion which is as strong today as it ever was.
