Steam train

My baby brother has got to be one of the luckiest babies around, as he celebrated his first birthday at the East Lancashire Railway.

My dad's interest in steam trains can only really be desribed as a geek fest. To illustrate, he listens to CD's of train noises. Yeah.  Despite his wild excitement at the prospect of visiting the steam trains,  and his earnest primises that we would all LOVE it and that my one year brother MUST be innitiated to the joys of steam, I was slightly dubious, and quite unsure what to expect. Upon arrival, however, we were greeted by cheery bunting flapping in the breeze, plumes of steam rising into the air, an abundance of beautiful hanging baskets and of course the chug chug chug sound so associated with old fashioned railways. It was like stepping back in time, and as we entered the ticket office, I fell in love.

 It is a beautifully preserved old fashioned train station that hasnt been modified since the 1950's. The staff, all of them volunteers, wear vintage uniforms, and the trains have been beautifully restored and preserved in order to give a genuine old fashioned railway experience.  Admittedly, I fell more in love with the charm, than than the  " truly facinating.." engines...But If you are ever up Northerly, you must go along.

We visited over may day weekend, hence the bunting which literally covered the station.

There was a beautiful old fashioned shop selling equally beautiful steam train memorabilia:

(this wall was my favourite- tiny train parts in plastic bags pinned to cork boards. Lush)

The station platform:

Our lovely tickets. Yes, I saved every single one and am planning on displaying them too.

We boarded like excited children and whooped as we chugged out of the station. Before long our heads were hanging out from the window, not unlike excited dogs in a car....

I was very brave leaning out like this, they go very fast, doncha know!

But my mister was even braver; look at him showing off!

Plumes of steam above the train...

As soon as we pulled into the station, we were under strict orders from my dad to alight the train as fast as possible to visit the driver in his cab;

 One of the lovely old engines

And we even got to climb inside! Cor blimey!

I was equal parts ooohing and ahhing at the vintage memorabilia, as I was coohing at my baby brother. Poor thing!

(Smother him? Me?)

Lovely vintage suitcases on the platform...

I love this last photo; My Dad, in extasy talkiing to the driver about trains. My baby brother, in extasy with his yellow balloon. He only really had eyes for that balloon but dont tell my dad that.

It was brilliant, a true gem of the north and most definitely worth a visit.

Hurrah for steam trains!

Hannah x