The Last Train

KasiaD, on July 14, said:

That shot brings back such memories! I was very wee when the last scheduled ones were around but I used to love the smell... But looking at the rails I guess this is a more recent shot, isn't it? Kasia

AXOTA, on July 14, said:

Me too Kasia, fond memories for me. The distinctive aroma from steam mixed with coal fumes brings back many nostalgic feelings.

This steam loco from the 1930s runs on a private line which is controlled by a railway preservation society. The general public can pay about £20 for the round trip which takes about 4 hours. The line runs through very beautiful countryside, and atracts many tourists. Many other steam locos run here also. This photo was taken as recently as May 08.

Warm wishes Kasia. Jim

alear, on July 14, said:

Hola AXOTA, look: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3v6MBHpzZg8&feature=related that good times..!!! Greetings friend Ale;D*

Ghiocela, on July 15, said:

Very interesting idea to attract tourists to go by train in time somewhere between 1930! And in life ... is very important not to lose "the last train"! A beautiful day, my good friend Jim! Simona

Poslovni-svet, on July 15, said:

Nice shot Jim!

Greetings from Slovenia!

Samo T.

Mark68, on July 15, said:

Very Nice Jim.

Mark.

More of my pictures HERE

Random Panoramio Pictures from around the world

Mira Paskota, on July 16, said:

Memories, memories! Thanks, Jim

AXOTA, on July 16, said:

Dear Ale' Great link to youtube. ELO definitely one of my favourite 70s bands.

Simona of the Mountain of Gold, I love your analogy of the train spanning the distance in time. You have a wonderfull and poetic imagination.

As always Mark, I know how much you enjoy these retro shots and I am gratefull for your compliment.

Greetings Samo, A visit from you is always a pleasure.

Mira, Sometimes, in my dreams, I wish that this old train could take me back in time. But how far back, could be a problem !!!I have normal dreams too.

I so much appreciate your visit guys and gals.

Cheers.

Jim

Mira Paskota, on July 16, said:

How far back?! Jim, it's your decision.

Have a nice trip!

Mira

AXOTA, on July 17, said:

Not sure that I could face WWII--The Cold War-Korea--Vietnam--Chernobyl--the Suez crisis--Ronald Regan--Nakita Kruschev--Bulgarin---Maggie Thatcher--flared trousers---Johny Rotten

The list is endless, Perhaps I just had a bad dream Mira

cheers.

Jim

Mira Paskota, on July 17, said:

1999. It was not just a bad dream, Jim. I know that I'll never forget.

Cheers

Mira

AXOTA, on July 17, said:

I know exactly what you are refering to Mira, I too find it hard to understand why this should happen in this very civilised European country, when so many good things had happened following Gorbachevs' efforts to free the former satelite states from the chains of communism.

I have read the history of Yugoslavia and I can see why so much bitterness, fear and hatred came to the fore. It is complicated because of conflicting ethnic, religious and political interests that tore your peoples apart.

Tito, like Saddam Hussien, ruled your country with a rod of iron in an attempt to subdue the waring factions which had been brewing for centuries. Unfortunately, the lid fell off and the following war was inevitable. Whether Milosovich was right or wrong is a matter of conjecture. He was seen by many to be the perpetrator of much suffering. Many of his generals are wanted for crimes against humanity. Blame lies on both sides.

Well those are my feelings and I know that many others think the same. We are tired of war, tired of being continually under threat from a bitter and cowardly enemy who seeks retribution by bombing and maiming the innocent. To me, these religious fanatics are evil monsters, and must be resisted by all means including force if neccessary.

Now I shall step down from my political soapbox and resume normality.

Cheers Mira

Jim

Mira Paskota, on July 17, said:

Memories, Jim. My memories, memories of my family. My mother was 5 when WWII started, she lost almost all her family.

If you ever decide to visit, I am sure you'd enjoy talking to Jay, my partner. He can tall you much about it. And, he is an American. Living in Belgrade.

Keep your normality, Jim. That's exactly what I'm trying to do.

Mira

AXOTA, on July 17, said:

Give Jay my regards, tell him he is a lucky man with you in his life.

Jim

Mira Paskota, on July 17, said:

He knows perfectly well how lucky he is. He keeps telling me that several times a day.

Thank you, Jim.

Mira & Jay

Paula K, on July 18, said:

EVENING JIM!!

Paula

Arm74, on July 20, said:

Wonderful picture!!

Greetings,

Alvaro

AXOTA, on July 20, said:

Many thanks Alvaro, you are most welcome.

Jim

shieldc, on July 23, said:

Very nice photo, Jim. Looks like the famous A4 Class engine by Nigel Gresley? Like the 'Mallard'.

Cheers shieldc

2c, on July 24, said:

Hi Jim,

Hope your well, Love this, have one for you here from a steam excursion by the sea about two weeks ago.... enjoy!

http://www.panoramio.com/photo/12191898

best regards as always from Dublin h

AXOTA, on July 24, said:

Thanks Hugh, I enjoyed the link. I am keen to find out more about the Wexford steam railway line. I shall no doubt easily find a web-site for this.

Thanks for your praise and visit h.

Jim

2c, on July 24, said:

Hi Jim,

Try this with loads of links !

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_rail_transport_in_Ireland

Regards h

arif solak, on July 26, said:

hello ))

very nice your photos ...... please visit my photos galaria…

Uşak-sivaslı

Greetings Arif

AXOTA, on July 27, said:

Great link h, very good.

Thanks for your visit Arif.

Jim

jymsn123, on July 29, said:

Jim

Train with Steam engine. Nice photo.

Cheers from Hong Kong, Jeff

AXOTA, on August 1, said:

Greetings Jeff. Steam engines are operated here in the UK by enthusiastic volunteers. Do they still run Steam engines in your country ??

Cheers.

Jim

jymsn123, on August 1, said:

Jim

Not in Hong Kong. In China, it may still have steam engines train.

Cheers from Hong Kong, Jeff

Cristina Sottile, on August 4, said:

Hi, there is a beautiful picture, the steam locomotives are so special all them, I love the smell, the noise, and how looks. In my country, Argentina we have the "Old Patagonian Express", we call "El trochita". It is that remains of the railways of Patagonia, which was destroyed by the economics policys of years '90. Now, is a touristic atractive, but is even lovely. Cheers! Cristina

AXOTA, on August 4, said:

Greetings and welcome Cristina. I share your enthusiasm for these fire-breathing locomotives. I hope they last forever.

I think so many bad decisions were made in the name of progress. Thankfully, there are many people throughout the world that have dedicated much of their time and effort to ensure that Steam Locos will always be here.

I have read a little regarding the "El Trochita" which runs the 405 Km between Esquel and Ingeniero Jacobacci. I imagine the journey to be incredible.

Thanks for stopping a while Cristina.

Jim

Vassilis Arvanitopoulos, on August 5, said:

nice approach.take care

AXOTA, on August 9, said:

Hello and thankyou Vassilis. Thanks for dropping in.

Sue Allen, on August 14, said:

This is so nostalgic in black and white.Last time I went on a steam train, here in Gympie (the Mary Valley Rattler, which runs every week) my family shared a carriage with a very nice man from .......Robin Hood Bay. That's not far from you, is it?

Have a good day, Jim, Kind regards, Sue

Ѵíctor Schz de Lara, on August 14, said:

FANTASTIC B&W !!! Golden star on this perfect monochrome Jim. Your so kind for your comment about my last shot but it´s impossible to win the contest so that it isn´t selected to Google Earth, anyway I won that I want: to contact with all of you :)

Best regards!

AXOTA, on August 14, said:

Dear Victor, that was a great pity that such a stunning photo was not selected.

The selectors are completely inconsistent in their choices. Whatever the criteria they use, it is not making any sense. I have firm evidence to prove this.

I have here in my gallery two photos taken at the same time, they are identical (it is the one with the title Red Sky at Night, the other is, I think- Smeltered ) posted months apart, yet one is selected and not the other. That is the reality.

Somone said recently, "Perhaps the Robot is badly programmed. That may well be the case.

No matter, you provided us with a beautiful and memorable image that will live in the minds of all those who saw it. Also Victor, it will remain there long after, in our favourites file.

It is with much pride that I receive this glowing praise from you Victor, I am grateful for this and your visit.

It is, as always my friend, a pleasure to chat with you.

Best wishes.

Jim

AXOTA, on August 14, said:

I like the sound of the 'Mary Valley Rattler' Sue (I am having visions of the Gold-Mine helter-skelter ride at Disney-Land, that rattles a lot) You are so right about the nostalia factor.

But it is great, isnt it--The noise, clamour, the hustle and bustle of an old steam railway. And then there is that distinctive aroma hmmmm.

So we Tykes get everywhere. Yeah, even to Gympie.

Now 'Robin Hoods Bay', that is some place, and as you will be no doubt aware, a photographers paradise. Now where's my camera.

Cheers Sue.

Jim

Sue Allen, on August 14, said:

Jim,You take some pictures of Robin Hoods Bay and I'll take some pictures of The Mary Valley Rattler when we next go on a trip for George's birthday! DEAL?

I especially love the smell. I always forgt about it until I next see the train and it shocks my nose in a most delightful way. I hope the kids can cope with the noisy whistle. One of them spent an entire day with her fingers in her ears after hearing it at the station, just in case it "did it again"...(we were down the street by this time, of course, but the fingers were still in the ears....

lovely to hear from you as always, keep snapping! Kind regards, Sue

AXOTA, on August 14, said:

Its a deal Sue and the pics won't be long in coming. I'm off there very soon. There is some fine weather threatening to arrive and besides, it is where my son and grandkids live(6miles away)

Best wishes.

Jim

2c, on September 4, said:

Hi Jim,

Hope your well this september! just dropping you a line on a gallery & links that might interest you, Do you know Vegas2004, some old railway stuff,ww2 bases & links from around East Anglia (my birthplace incidentally!) See what you think?

http://www.panoramio.com/user/870741

warmest regards from dublin h