A Steam Train Journey

I've been wanting to do this for sometime and this steam-train experience
was finally organized!

Here is a photo of our steam train waiting for us to climb aboard
in London's Victoria Station.

Look at the comfortable plush armchairs and the white cloth and napkins
on the table ready for us to have breakfast!

Each carriage had a name painted on the side
the one I was in was called 'Amethyst'.

Here's the locomotive. Isn't she grand?
Look at all that steam.
This was at a station during one of our numerous stops.
Steam trains need a lot of pampering
including long stopovers for water, oiling various parts
and screws tightening up and the metal wheels checking over.

Here's the engine driver in the cabin of lovely burgundy coloured locomotive.

The name of our train is Princess Elizabeth

This is a plaque to give a little royal information.

Look at some of the workings of this marvellous machine

Puff, puff, puff
Here she comes after a rather long overhaul.

Champagne before the meal!

We were travelling from London down to Cornwall
on the west coast of England.
I took this from the train as we neared Devon

This is the Brunel Bridge which spans the River Tamar
from Devon into Cornwall

Here's a view down on the river from the train which
is going across that bridge.

Now we're travelling alongside the sea.
It feels quite exciting.

We arrived quite late at night after dinner on the train.
Here is our hotel on the outskirts of Newquay.
We stayed here for three nights.

We were so lucky to have a sea view
and excellent weather.
There were different outings organized each day
if we wanted to do them.
I chose to visit two gardens,
one of which is called The Lost Gardens of Heligan
a most wonderful place to visit.

As a parting photo, here is a pink sunset taken from my hotel room.

***


Here is a short video of the very train I was on
during the 17-20 September period



34 comments

  1. Replies
    1. Thanks, Sue. I'd been wanting to go on a steam train journey for some time!

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  2. I was wondering about your trip. The steam engine experience looks elegant - the landscapes you saw were beautiful. Last fall, girlfriends and I took a train journey. It was fun but not nearly as special as your steam experience. What a view you had at the seaside!

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    1. A steam train journey is such a different experience to a regular train. It really was quite an experience! If you look at the short film at the end you will see the actual train I was travelling on! I was in the only brown carriage!

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  3. Oh my goodness, what an experience for you, Sandra.
    Both the train and the scenery are just beautiful.

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    Replies
    1. It really was a new experience as I hadn't been on a steam train since I was very young!

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  4. Wonderful train ride! I've been on steam train rides before, but the engines were all black and not they were not as elegant inside! This train is very beautiful, as was the scenery out your window. I would love to stay in that hotel. I hope you share some pictures of the gardens!

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    1. The train really was a beauty, both inside and out. Those comfortable armchairs were also very comfortable for our long journey which was twelve hours each way, including stops! I will have to make a choice of photos from those gardens we visited to share some here!

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  5. WOW - the train looks amazing and what a fantastic trip to do. I'd LOVE to do something similar. Will put it on my wish list IMMEDIATELY (if not sooner!).

    Hugs, Sarn xxx

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    1. I think you would enjoy this, Sarn. It certainly was a unique experience and going down to the west coast and the seaside was a definite plus!

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  6. These trains are kept alive by real train enthusiasts. A very special way to travel - reminding us of times gone by. Glad you enjoyed your experience making it into a very different holiday that you could share with us.

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    1. It's amazing how many train enthusiasts there were! There were dozens of people lining the stations to wave and even on bridges and in the fields to take photos and films, like the one that is at the end of my blog entry if you looked at it. I really enjoyed myself!

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  7. How cool Sandra, such a beauty in photographs. I bet it was an experience of a lifetime. So glad you had the chance to do this.

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    1. It really was an enjoyable experience, Barbara!

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  8. What a grand adventure for you. The photos are lovely and really show highlights of what you saw and experienced. I cannot believe how elegant your seats and table settings on the train were, so classy! That hotel looks wonderful also..and of course all that blue water! I know you will remember this trip for a long time.

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    1. Yes, Mary. I will remember this lovely steam train journey for a long time! There was an elegance to everything in Pullman style. Being on the sea-front was wonderful to enjoy for a couple of days too!

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  9. What a wonderful adventure.
    Thanks for taking us along!

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    1. It really was, Laura! A trip to save up for, definitely!

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  10. Lovely shots of your fun trip!

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  11. probably been satying home too long but these photos make me think of olden times and some reminds me how wonderful things used to be, not much into traveling but it's nice to travel through your photos, so thank you. & such a lovely sunset too.

    have a lovely day.

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    1. Yes, the old steam trains put back into service do remind us of days gone by when life seemed simpler, less hurried and people took the time to look around them instead of having their noses in their electronic gadgets everywhere they go!
      Thank you for your visit!

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  12. This is a great set of images that tell a lovely story.

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  13. This all looks very grand, Sandra - the fancy train, meals, scenery and hotel! Must have been a wonderful vacation. Looking forward to seeing more :)

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    1. It was like going back in time, Anna. The smoke of the train, the special sound on the railroad tracks and a long ride down to the coast. It was so lovely to be beside the sea for a few days too.

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  14. Oh, it all looks so wonderful. Lovely weather, treats and a beautiful view from where you stayed and traveled. So glad you got to do this and then share it with us.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Tammie. It really was a new experience for me!

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  15. What an adventure.....The train is beautiful and so lovely inside. Your photographs are wonderful.

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    Replies
    1. Hello Nancy. Thanks for your kind comment!

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  16. Have not made a visit in a while
    What a wonderful trip
    and after your sharing
    I want to make another trip
    when thinking
    no more travels...

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    Replies
    1. It's so tempting, isn't it! Nice to go with somebody else to enjoy the pleasures too!
      I hope you are well and enjoying this lovely season in your country and wooded environment.

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