A Day out at Bo'ness and Kinneil Railway Bo'ness and Kinneil railway, is somewhere thats very special to me. Its a very large part of my childhood. On the 6 of August, for the first time in 8 years i returned to the railway in 2012 to re visit. When i was 4 years old, my Grandparents took me and my brother on a day out. Did we know where we were going|? No. It was a surpirse, and its made one of the most precious memory's i care to own. We arrived at this railway. To a 4 year old, it looked like we were just getting on your boring old tin can on wheels railway station. I hadn't ever really been to a heritage railway. I didnt know what one looked like, so i just figured it was your normal every day railway station. Standing at Bo'ness platform, a chuffing noise started. It grew louder, and faster as it approached. From as far back as my parents and Grandparents can remember, they tell me i took interest in trains from a very young age, making "whoo whoo" noises in road tunnels at the age of 1. Thomas the Tank Engine, my number 1 childhood hero thundered his way into Bo'ness, his eyes looking in my direction. The blue tank engine had come to life. He was here. I was on Sodor. The fat controller was on his footplate waving. Its something i will never, ever forget for as long as i live. Twice yearly we returned to the railway for many years with my Grandparents, my Cousin also with us. Eventually my second brother was born, and he too joined our trips to the railway. Once in the Summer to see Thomas the Tank Engine, and once again in the Winter to take the train with Santa. The last time i visited, was 8 long years ago on a Primary School trip. I had not been back since. But, with the event of my Mum going on Holiday, the car was mine for a week and a half. I took off to Bo'ness which is an hours drive from where i live. Arriving, i saw LNER Morayshire, the last of her class sitting at Bo'ness Platform. An old flare stirred in me. I was interested in Steam Engines again. Eventually, another engine backed down, an Austerity Saddle Tank Engine. They day couldn't get better. So here, i would like to share with you, somewhere that is very special to me. Somewhere i hope to continue to visit for as long as i live. I'd like to give a special thanks to all the staff and volunteers at Bo'ness and Kinneil Railway, and i would also like to give an even more special thankyou to the driver and fireman of LNER Morayshire for letting me on the footplate. It was a fantastic, day, and i will definatley be revisiting the railway in 2013 for the planned [But not fully put ahead] Steam Gala that is to take place towards the latter end of the 2013 running season, which will see Number 1 Lord Roberts [Thomas the Tank Engine in the Thomas Events] have a final hurrah before she leaves for a very heavy £150'000 2 to 3 year overhaul. Also, if funds permit, i plan to take part in a days footplate experience next year. Driving a Steam Engine is something ive wanted to do since i was a young lad. Getting onto the footplate of Morayshire was one thing, but to have control of her on a run of the line? well, thats something else completely different =) Next time i go, the Tripod will be put into far more use i think too. It was a bugger to keep pulling in and out of the rucksack all the time. Stationary shots will utilize it far more. Oh, and that last shot? You lucky i got that. My Camera battery had little to no battery left, then conked out right after that shot XD

• published: 10 Sep 2012
• views: 1992