The trouble I went to, to get this photo... (and it's not even that brilliant, but never mind that). Over the summer, the Railway Touring Company run a few Sunday steam train excursions (The Waverley Tour) from York to Carlisle on the famous Settle-Carlisle line, over Ribblehead Viaduct. On the way, of course, they have to pass through Saltaire. I have many times heard the familiar chug-chug from my house and thought "one day I must go out and take a photo of that". So I got up especially early one Sunday morning (I normally enjoy my lie-in!) and stood on the bridge and waited... and waited... and it didn't come. A couple of Sundays later I got up again and this time it did come, but my photos didn't turn out very good at all from the high bridge viewpoint - too many cables in the way and other distractions. This last Sunday I got up again and staked out a place on the station platform. The train was a good half-hour later than scheduled but at least it came. With the camera on 'continuous' shooting, I almost have a video (!) but this is possibly the best of the bunch.
The hauling locomotive is LMS 'Black Five' No 45305. There are lots of great photos of it on Flickr - and this video, also taken on Sunday somewhere further up the line.
I love steam trains anyway, and to be in such close proximity to one, going at quite a lick (as they don't stop at Saltaire station) is a real thrill. I actually found myself teary-eyed, it was so romantic! There's something so right about seeing one in Saltaire's Victorian setting, knowing that when the village was first built, they would have been a regular sight - and sound - up and down the line.
You see Jenny, we are drawn to the same places, even without planning it. Only this weekend I was taking visitors to North Yorkshire and we stopped off at Ribblehead Viaduct to take pictures and I tried to recall whether you had ever featured a photograph of it. And at the same time you were lower down the line, taking a photo.
ReplyDeleteThis steam train and Saltaire really match together!i like your picture (and admire your patience, thank you!)
ReplyDeleteAnd how not to think of the Harry Potter's train ..
A magnificent machine. There's never been a diesel with the charm of even the shabbiest steam locomotive. I'm afraid taking pictures of this one could quickly become an obsession with me.
ReplyDeleteYes, there is something so romantic about it. That is a great shot, even if you don't think so. :-) How I'd love to take that train route some day!
ReplyDeleteI waited in Shipley for it for 20 minutes then gave up. I had seen the Waverely before and got photographs of varied quality at both Shipley and Saltaire which are on my blog
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you took the photo. I love the shot and seeing the older traines. I have a plastic model, sad, of the train that was in the Narnia movie. I still like the model and it makes the train sounds.
ReplyDeleteOn our recent trip, where we had the pleasure of meeting you, I had originally planned to work in a journey on the Settle-Carlisle Line. My husband was less enthusiastic, and it would have made for a longer journey. Next time...
ReplyDeleteI love these old steam trains too, I also find them so romantic and they remind me a bit of my childhood when I was with my grandparents.You picture is very nice !
ReplyDeleteIt definitely looks like it belongs there.
ReplyDeleteI can smell it from here! Good photo!
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