RichmondCommu
Established Member
Gday everyone,
Back in the early 80s me and two mates set our hearts on a holiday in sunny Spain with a twist; we were going to travel to sunnier climes by train rather than a tour operators flight. Having convinced our girlfriends that it was a good idea we started saving up for our Mediterranean adventure. I was a Priv Kid but still needed to save up for accommodation and spends and of course I had to think of my less fortunate mates too.
A year later and having completed our A Levels we were ready and looking forward to fourteen days of glorious Spanish sunshine. Having got up at stupid oclock (way before 06.00 anyway) my dad gave me a lift to Derby station via my girlfriends house. Much to my amazement shed heeded my warning not to pack the kitchen sink. 15 minutes later and we were at the station to meet our blearily eyed mates.
A few minutes later and two Peaks (Im guessing that they were Class 45s) were whisking our excited little group past Etches Park and on our way to London. Arriving into the Smoke during the rush hour was always exciting when I was a kid, very different to how I feel now that Im in my mid 40s! A quick trip across town on the Tube and we were soon at Victoria station to start the next leg of our journey.
A long train of scruffy Southern Region EMUs which didnt appear to have been swept out in months took us down to Folkestone to catch the Sealink ferry across the Channel. Having reached Folkestone we waited in a siding off the main line for a few minutes before being allowed proceed down the harbour branch.
Not used to being on boats
none of us enjoyed the trip across to Calais and were pleased to be back on dry land once the ferry docked. A short walk and we found ourselves on the platform at Calais Maritime station. With much rolling of the eyes from the girls we three lads walked to the front of the train to discover two diesels waiting to take our train forward. At Amiens the diesels were swapped for an electric loco and in no time at all we were speeding through the northern suburbs of Paris.
Finally we arrived in Gare du Nord amid much excitement. Having dumped our bags at Gare du Austerlitz we set off for an afternoons sight seeing and to sample café culture Parisian style. A few hours later and we were back at Austerlitz have stocked up on cheap booze for our overnight journey. Once on board our train to Cerbere (and ultimately Port Bou) we began to take in our 2nd Class couchette compartment containing six bunks. There wasnt a lot of space but at least we had the corridor stand in. After a few minutes the aircon kicked and we realised that our trusty steed had hooked up to its rake of Corail stock. Surely the best of rolling stock ever to run on European railways?
Soon we were speeding south towards to the promised land and after a few games of cards we turned in for the night. Two or three hours later we were rudely awakened at what Im guessing must have been Limoges and stopped there for quite some time. Having bagged a bottom bunk I remember seeing at least two or three freights running on bi-directional lines. The next morning we awoke to find us hammering towards Narbonne where we must have changed locos due to having left Narbonne in the opposite direction. By this time we were all awake and enjoying views of the Med as we sped to towards Perpignan. Back then it seemed that all medium sized French stations had their own freight yards and Perpignan was no exception. Having run past the Airport, in what seemed like no time at all we had arrived in Cerbere. A few minutes later and we had run through the tunnel into Port Bou. At last we had reached Spain! I cant remember which side of the border we changed gauge but Im sure someone will know.
Having left the girls in the station with our bags we headed into Port Bou to find something to eat with the words youll miss the bloody train! ringing in our ears. However no one was complaining when we returned a few minutes later with croissants and jam! Then it was time to board the Talgo which would take us into the heart of Catalonia and our final destination of Calafell.
The next two weeks were some of the happiest of my teenage and childhood years. Hot sunshine every day, a warm sea to swim in, cheap food and booze and friendly locals! And finally some freedom away from the ever watchful gaze of our parents! I also remember two day trips to Tarragona and Barcelona including the obligatory trip to the Camp Nou. A world away from our natural habitat the Baseball Ground! Rolling stock was a mixture of pretty basic EMUs and ancient RENFE compartment stock. We were amazed to see passengers sitting on the platform edge, not helped by the low platforms.
Two weeks later and it was time to head home. However the adventure was not quite over as we had elected to return via Latour-de-Carol and the Pyrenees mountains. As ever details are somewhat sketchy due to the lack of notes but I do remember that we travelled on a narrow gauge railway from Barcelona to the French border. My other abiding memory is of Spanish soldiers shelling nuts on the trip up and leaving a right mess when they left the train.
Nothing of interest to say about Latour-de-Carol; there was seemingly nothing to do although the station building was quite impressive given the size of the place. The other thing that I can remember was at least one platform which had narrow gauge track. I would love to hear from someone who can shed some light on this. Eventually the train backed into the platform and we headed off through the somewhat misty Pyrenees. Clearly it had been raining that afternoon. On the journey through the mountains we were amazed to see at least one station that still boasted a cattle dock. On arrival into Paris it was pretty evident that coaches had been added to our train during the night, Im guessing at Toulouse but I cant be certain.
The rest of the journey home was pretty uneventful apart from the train from Gare du Nord being a gas turbine unit. Well, I hope youve enjoyed reading about the adventures that my childhood pals and I enjoyed all those years a go. I would love to hear from anyone who can help fill in the all too many gaps.
Richmond Commuter!
Back in the early 80s me and two mates set our hearts on a holiday in sunny Spain with a twist; we were going to travel to sunnier climes by train rather than a tour operators flight. Having convinced our girlfriends that it was a good idea we started saving up for our Mediterranean adventure. I was a Priv Kid but still needed to save up for accommodation and spends and of course I had to think of my less fortunate mates too.
A year later and having completed our A Levels we were ready and looking forward to fourteen days of glorious Spanish sunshine. Having got up at stupid oclock (way before 06.00 anyway) my dad gave me a lift to Derby station via my girlfriends house. Much to my amazement shed heeded my warning not to pack the kitchen sink. 15 minutes later and we were at the station to meet our blearily eyed mates.
A few minutes later and two Peaks (Im guessing that they were Class 45s) were whisking our excited little group past Etches Park and on our way to London. Arriving into the Smoke during the rush hour was always exciting when I was a kid, very different to how I feel now that Im in my mid 40s! A quick trip across town on the Tube and we were soon at Victoria station to start the next leg of our journey.
A long train of scruffy Southern Region EMUs which didnt appear to have been swept out in months took us down to Folkestone to catch the Sealink ferry across the Channel. Having reached Folkestone we waited in a siding off the main line for a few minutes before being allowed proceed down the harbour branch.
Not used to being on boats
none of us enjoyed the trip across to Calais and were pleased to be back on dry land once the ferry docked. A short walk and we found ourselves on the platform at Calais Maritime station. With much rolling of the eyes from the girls we three lads walked to the front of the train to discover two diesels waiting to take our train forward. At Amiens the diesels were swapped for an electric loco and in no time at all we were speeding through the northern suburbs of Paris.
Finally we arrived in Gare du Nord amid much excitement. Having dumped our bags at Gare du Austerlitz we set off for an afternoons sight seeing and to sample café culture Parisian style. A few hours later and we were back at Austerlitz have stocked up on cheap booze for our overnight journey. Once on board our train to Cerbere (and ultimately Port Bou) we began to take in our 2nd Class couchette compartment containing six bunks. There wasnt a lot of space but at least we had the corridor stand in. After a few minutes the aircon kicked and we realised that our trusty steed had hooked up to its rake of Corail stock. Surely the best of rolling stock ever to run on European railways?
Soon we were speeding south towards to the promised land and after a few games of cards we turned in for the night. Two or three hours later we were rudely awakened at what Im guessing must have been Limoges and stopped there for quite some time. Having bagged a bottom bunk I remember seeing at least two or three freights running on bi-directional lines. The next morning we awoke to find us hammering towards Narbonne where we must have changed locos due to having left Narbonne in the opposite direction. By this time we were all awake and enjoying views of the Med as we sped to towards Perpignan. Back then it seemed that all medium sized French stations had their own freight yards and Perpignan was no exception. Having run past the Airport, in what seemed like no time at all we had arrived in Cerbere. A few minutes later and we had run through the tunnel into Port Bou. At last we had reached Spain! I cant remember which side of the border we changed gauge but Im sure someone will know.
Having left the girls in the station with our bags we headed into Port Bou to find something to eat with the words youll miss the bloody train! ringing in our ears. However no one was complaining when we returned a few minutes later with croissants and jam! Then it was time to board the Talgo which would take us into the heart of Catalonia and our final destination of Calafell.
The next two weeks were some of the happiest of my teenage and childhood years. Hot sunshine every day, a warm sea to swim in, cheap food and booze and friendly locals! And finally some freedom away from the ever watchful gaze of our parents! I also remember two day trips to Tarragona and Barcelona including the obligatory trip to the Camp Nou. A world away from our natural habitat the Baseball Ground! Rolling stock was a mixture of pretty basic EMUs and ancient RENFE compartment stock. We were amazed to see passengers sitting on the platform edge, not helped by the low platforms.
Two weeks later and it was time to head home. However the adventure was not quite over as we had elected to return via Latour-de-Carol and the Pyrenees mountains. As ever details are somewhat sketchy due to the lack of notes but I do remember that we travelled on a narrow gauge railway from Barcelona to the French border. My other abiding memory is of Spanish soldiers shelling nuts on the trip up and leaving a right mess when they left the train.
Nothing of interest to say about Latour-de-Carol; there was seemingly nothing to do although the station building was quite impressive given the size of the place. The other thing that I can remember was at least one platform which had narrow gauge track. I would love to hear from someone who can shed some light on this. Eventually the train backed into the platform and we headed off through the somewhat misty Pyrenees. Clearly it had been raining that afternoon. On the journey through the mountains we were amazed to see at least one station that still boasted a cattle dock. On arrival into Paris it was pretty evident that coaches had been added to our train during the night, Im guessing at Toulouse but I cant be certain.
The rest of the journey home was pretty uneventful apart from the train from Gare du Nord being a gas turbine unit. Well, I hope youve enjoyed reading about the adventures that my childhood pals and I enjoyed all those years a go. I would love to hear from anyone who can help fill in the all too many gaps.
Richmond Commuter!
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