........a flimsy whistle........

The day finally arrived............breakfast with the Daughter.........the snow brushed off the car............D and V picked up...........tickets collected at the station............down the steps to the platform.

Pandemonium....hundreds lining the platforms...including at least two guys in full Scottish Highland dress........we found our way to carriage D and boarded....found our seats in a compartment for eight.

The whistle blew...........the flag waved.......and of we set............realising we had the entire compartment to ourselves.

The scenery was a winter wonderland..............photographers and spectators lined the route........in fields.......on roads and paths..........in parks............in gardens............on platforms.

The engine chuffing...........the wheels rattling............the smell of the smoke......V was a bit disappointed with the whistle.......she called it "flimsy"

We passed through Summerseat and saw the wreckage of "The Waterside"...........destroyed by the floods.......the platform was packed......we passed through Ramsbottom.......and stopped to allow the "City of Wells" pass on its way back to Bury........again the platform was packed...........we had a coffee..........and then arrived at Rawtenstall.......where the Scotsman changed ends of the train......a fifteen minute break....another packed platform........and then we set off back to Bury.

The route was lined again........as we reached Bury we passed the "Lancashire Fusilier" preparing to pull tonight's fine dining carriages......and prepared to disembark...........but the train didn't stop.......we carried on to Heywood........where the Scotsman swapped ends again........and them back to Bury.

The station was packed......ready for the next group of passengers........we took more photographs......and left.....it had been a wonderful hour and a half.

We decided to stroll up to the "Clarence"...........and had a beer and some lunch........and then we headed back home...........dropped off D and V.......made a coffee...........and watched United beat Liverpool.

It was the best day in months............Helen would have loved it.

Das vidanya moy padruga

P.S. The Daughter took this shot hanging out of the train window during on of the changes of direction.