scotsman
Established Member
- Joined
- 6 Jul 2010
- Messages
- 3,252
Ok, that's a wee bitty misleading - it was my exam day for my Strathspey Railway PTS.
It started, unfortunately for me, at Kirkcaldy station at ten to seven in the morning. If you know Kirkcaldy, you'll know it's the kind of place you don't want to be in, even at that time. Mind you, darkness hides a multitude of sins. My train rolls up, just after five past, in the form of a SPT Class 170 - looks like I won't be using my newly acquired Advance card just yet.
The trip to Perth passes uneventfully, the sun's yet to rise as I listen to my iPod. The beat of the music interrupted by the beat of the bogies on the jointed track below.
I arrive in Perth to a fantastic sunrise and, not being encumbered by a suitcase, I stop to get some pictures of it lighting up the station with a rosy glow. I saunter over to platform 7. I'm in no rush, I never am when it comes to Perth - it's a large, boring shell of a station. Every minute spent there is like an eternity. So, it's to my relief when my train arrives. It's a Turbostar, and I can clearly see green shirted men with bottles at every table. Turns out I didn't know that Inverness were at home to Celtic that afternoon.
What follows is a river awkward hour and 45 minutes as I sit with members of the British Transport Police's finest, accompanying the train to Inverness. All I can do really is sit browsing twitter and facebook, when signal allows, and attempt to take some pictures of the fantastic scenery that Highland Perthshire has to offer. Oh, and listen to whatever gossip plod has. Turns out he, and his colleague, have p*sh banter.
So, I'm not exactly upset when I bail into an unseasonably warm Aviemore - usually the temperature would be in single figures, but not today. I head along the high street, before using the underpass to duck under the railway line and head up the track to the MPD. From there it's a matter of slipping on my hi-vis, walking round the back, crossing the line and heading into the salubrious Spey Lodge. The Hilton it ain't.
I'll skip the boring bits, but essentially we're given a lecture on everything one needs to know when on the railway: the terminology, safety critical communications, safe practice and so on. Then follows the easiest exam I've done in my life. It's then that I realise that it's 11.30am. Oops. I've booked a seat on the 1731 back to Kirkcaldy.
No matter, I've got an off peak return, so I decide to get it excessed to Edinburgh when I return to the station - this way I'll be able to meet my mates and see the Class 50s in Edinburgh. To pass the time I head to the mountain cafe for an egg roll. I'll stick to Ashers* in future, £3 for an egg roll - nae chance!
I head back to the station, excess the ticket with zero hassle and jump on to the train south. First has some old women in, one of them looks at me with disdain. Actually, that's a lie. She tries to burn my eyes out with her evil glare. However, I get no bother from her and she gets none from me, in fact, they move to the compartment at the front, the rear one is too cold apparently. I enjoy the peace and quiet of the entire compartment to myself until Perth. It is cold.
And, really, that's as about as interesting as it gets - I could bore you with my banter with the old women, but I think I'll save you that!
It started, unfortunately for me, at Kirkcaldy station at ten to seven in the morning. If you know Kirkcaldy, you'll know it's the kind of place you don't want to be in, even at that time. Mind you, darkness hides a multitude of sins. My train rolls up, just after five past, in the form of a SPT Class 170 - looks like I won't be using my newly acquired Advance card just yet.
The trip to Perth passes uneventfully, the sun's yet to rise as I listen to my iPod. The beat of the music interrupted by the beat of the bogies on the jointed track below.
I arrive in Perth to a fantastic sunrise and, not being encumbered by a suitcase, I stop to get some pictures of it lighting up the station with a rosy glow. I saunter over to platform 7. I'm in no rush, I never am when it comes to Perth - it's a large, boring shell of a station. Every minute spent there is like an eternity. So, it's to my relief when my train arrives. It's a Turbostar, and I can clearly see green shirted men with bottles at every table. Turns out I didn't know that Inverness were at home to Celtic that afternoon.
What follows is a river awkward hour and 45 minutes as I sit with members of the British Transport Police's finest, accompanying the train to Inverness. All I can do really is sit browsing twitter and facebook, when signal allows, and attempt to take some pictures of the fantastic scenery that Highland Perthshire has to offer. Oh, and listen to whatever gossip plod has. Turns out he, and his colleague, have p*sh banter.
So, I'm not exactly upset when I bail into an unseasonably warm Aviemore - usually the temperature would be in single figures, but not today. I head along the high street, before using the underpass to duck under the railway line and head up the track to the MPD. From there it's a matter of slipping on my hi-vis, walking round the back, crossing the line and heading into the salubrious Spey Lodge. The Hilton it ain't.
I'll skip the boring bits, but essentially we're given a lecture on everything one needs to know when on the railway: the terminology, safety critical communications, safe practice and so on. Then follows the easiest exam I've done in my life. It's then that I realise that it's 11.30am. Oops. I've booked a seat on the 1731 back to Kirkcaldy.
No matter, I've got an off peak return, so I decide to get it excessed to Edinburgh when I return to the station - this way I'll be able to meet my mates and see the Class 50s in Edinburgh. To pass the time I head to the mountain cafe for an egg roll. I'll stick to Ashers* in future, £3 for an egg roll - nae chance!
I head back to the station, excess the ticket with zero hassle and jump on to the train south. First has some old women in, one of them looks at me with disdain. Actually, that's a lie. She tries to burn my eyes out with her evil glare. However, I get no bother from her and she gets none from me, in fact, they move to the compartment at the front, the rear one is too cold apparently. I enjoy the peace and quiet of the entire compartment to myself until Perth. It is cold.
And, really, that's as about as interesting as it gets - I could bore you with my banter with the old women, but I think I'll save you that!