I sometimes fantasise of a train, it's a couple of converted passenger coaches, cleared of internal fittings and wot-not, and fitted with a flush deck so that one could walk about on it. My more sophisticated imaginings has it with a raised spine, a section of deck one step up, say, with bench seating down the middle of the vehicle, in maybe three or four lengths. There are plenty of hand-holds available. The edge of the deck is in a ship's rail style, - one could lean on it as the train trundled along slowly through the breath-taking scenery it had been designed to show.
The idea comes about because I observe heads - heads and shoulders sometimes - hanging out of windows from steam specials and the like, so that the punters can get the absolute most out of their trip. They really do want to be 'outside', seeing everything, breathing it in, smelling the smells, but are confined to merely lean out of a "Do Not Lean Out Of The Window" sized window. - and there aren't many of those windows - three a side if you're lucky. On the Promenade Train one could get it all at the ship's rail - including that rain shower.
My 'promenade' train has, coupled at each end, a more orthodox coach complete with loos and so-on, perhaps one of them could be a buffet as well. And they are there to provide the essential shelter if a rain shower does arise, or if it gets 'a bit chilly', and with cups of tea and a piece of cake available as well.
It could run on the more spectacular lines - not just heritage lines - like, for instance, the Copy Pit line from Tod to Rose-Grove. Plenty to look at on that run. I know there are many other scenic routes - not too long, with terminating facility at each end - a siding! Could be done, but the idea will die under the burden of 'ealth-an'-safety I guess.
Well, I post it here to collect all those sceptical comments that are bound to arise - go for it, people!
The idea comes about because I observe heads - heads and shoulders sometimes - hanging out of windows from steam specials and the like, so that the punters can get the absolute most out of their trip. They really do want to be 'outside', seeing everything, breathing it in, smelling the smells, but are confined to merely lean out of a "Do Not Lean Out Of The Window" sized window. - and there aren't many of those windows - three a side if you're lucky. On the Promenade Train one could get it all at the ship's rail - including that rain shower.
My 'promenade' train has, coupled at each end, a more orthodox coach complete with loos and so-on, perhaps one of them could be a buffet as well. And they are there to provide the essential shelter if a rain shower does arise, or if it gets 'a bit chilly', and with cups of tea and a piece of cake available as well.
It could run on the more spectacular lines - not just heritage lines - like, for instance, the Copy Pit line from Tod to Rose-Grove. Plenty to look at on that run. I know there are many other scenic routes - not too long, with terminating facility at each end - a siding! Could be done, but the idea will die under the burden of 'ealth-an'-safety I guess.
Well, I post it here to collect all those sceptical comments that are bound to arise - go for it, people!
