Taking on Water

A grand day out, guarding the Pioneer Train.   This special service runs for a few days each year, complimenting the Victorian Train which likewise is an occasional special.   A full round trip - and a bit.  A couple of special photo opportunities where the guests can disembark, the train reversing then running past before returning to collect everyone.   A tour of the works and the museum, ending with a cream tea at King's Cafe.  All of it led by our engaging and talented guides.  It all makes the guard's day interesting as the 'extras' mean it's quite different from guarding a normal service train.  Pre-booked, there are no tickets to sell and the guides look after most of the guests needs.   So the guard has a relatively easy time of it.   We use the original Victorian rolling stock which also makes it special, even if the guards van was built for people five foot tall or less!   I am not alone though, in thinking that riding the 1865 guard's van offers the best seat and the best views on the train.   Extra pic.

Here is the train taking water at Dolgoch - and here a shot from roughly the same spot taken seventy years ago (scroll down and click the 1952 pic) when the preservation pioneers were in just their second season after taking over the railway.

A beautiful summer day that turned sultry.   Precious little rain after I finished.  A golden sunset shone in the west, under the clouds just a little while after I enjoyed a peaceful walk down Gwalia with Meg.