I am always happy to hear from photographer and rail enthusiast Rob Coles and today is no exception!
It’s a follow-up to a previous email regarding Bath tourists getting a little lost! A week or so ago he told me:
Today I went to Freshford Station, as I frequently do when the Belmond/Orient Pullman train passes. It always looks so grand and important. Normally I am almost alone except for sheep and maybe a rabbit.
Today I was surprised to see three young ladies, who I took to be Japanese, sitting on the bench under the original station name board. They looked so good I had to ask if I could take their photo., but whatever were they doing in Freshford?
I learned from the absolutely charming trio that they had been to Bath for a few days and were returning to London. They had got onto the wrong train and were now returning to Bath to try again.
After the Orient Express had passed a train from Bath arrived, a few passengers left the train, the last two to walk down the footbridge stairs were another couple of tourists who had also apparently joined another wrong train in Bath and were now returning. Could there be an evil plan?
I emailed the photo to the girls and got a lovely reply back!
At this very moment, new electronic indicator boards are being fitted at both platforms at Freshford, hope it includes Japanese and Chinese!
Then more recently came this:
No Chinese at Freshford today, just a splendid very recently repainted old-style station sign. Not I believe an original.
The next steam train through Bath and the Limpley Stoke Valley is on Tuesday 5th April. Bath Spa station at 13.00 and returning – according to the company – at 16.56. Railtrack says 15.56, but my money is on the earlier time, only an hour to wait if wrong!
The locomotive will be ex LNER B1 61306 MAYFLOWER. The excursion is operated by Steam Dreams.As with all excursions, loco and times cannot be guaranteed. Fares start at £109, travel by service train can be more, depending on time.’
No doubt rail fans will understand that!
