Steam Engine Therapy

A handsome driver on Dolgoch at Nant Gwernol. 

Photo courtesy of Andrew Simmonds

This blog entry is being written as I endure a 58 minute connection at Stoke station on my way home from Tywyn. The connection would’ve been much more bearable had the station bar Bod, run by the Titanic Brewery still been open. Instead, an unusually mild night means I’m sat on the platform admiring the architecture, rare survivors amongst the rest of the WCML concrete monstrosities from the 1960’s electrification, writing this and watching the world go by. 

The girls returned home on Sunday afternoon leaving me in Tywyn for a rare opportunity to indulge in volunteering on the Talyllyn without sharing my time with family duties. Though I did ensure that there was a video call home from the shed so that my daughter could see the engines after school. 

The sun making a rare appearance as Tom Rolt passes Pendre.

Four days on the loco were enjoyed with a fifth day as Brynglas Blockman today in decidedly autumnal weather. Heavy showers and wind being more predominant than sunshine. At least the passengers would’ve had good value for money from the waterfalls. 

The gallant old engine, Dolgoch using the old water column at Dolgoch. The slightly shorter trains of the shoulders of the season making this possible. This set was short enough by two inches!

This week has been a reminder of the rich tapestry of volunteer life. Working and going out for dinner with friends I’ve known for thirty plus years mixed in with new volunteers working on the railway for the first time. We had healthy numbers of trainees in both the loco and traffic departments. On my side, there were cleaners to learn the art of firing and firemen to teach the knack of driving too. Resulting in some trips where I spent more time supervising than driving. Helping the next generation come through is a satisfying experience. 

Rank has its privileges… Fireman Phil with the short (and slightly damp) end of the stick. Phil took a decade or more break from volunteering, returning during the pandemic. One of his jobs during his previous volunteering stint was designing and manufacturing the new valve when the water column was restored. This was the first time he’d used the column, hence the smile shining through the dampness!

There was one consternation though, when shortly before my visit, Tywyn bakery announced they were taking a well deserved holiday. Thankfully, the cafe staff at Abergynolwyn came to my rescue as my visit coincided with the return of the king of cakes, the custard slice to the cake cabinet. Healthy eating will be making a return once I get home. 

The king of cakes - the custard slice!

Whilst I’m looking forward to getting home and back into family life, it’s been good to be enjoy some time volunteering in my favourite part of Wales. Some steam engine therapy is good for the mind and soul, even if my body is a little achy!

Whilst away, I missed one of our regular fortnightly Trent Valley group Zoom evenings, I had to make do with a different selection of grinning faces…. But would this be a Dream Teams, or the Zoom of Doom…?