Now, for the longest time, I have pined after the idea of going on a steam train, as yes, I am ashamed to say, I never had been on one.
That is, until a couple of weeks ago when I reverted back to a state of overexcited child (more excited, I might add, than my 8 year old sister. Who is an actual child.) as I stepped onto my very first!
Upon my last visit home for a brief weekend escape from the big smoke, I visited my mum and sister in Wymondham.
We set off for the charity shops, taking care to take in the lovely scenery as we ambled along...
...when I heard an unfamiliar noise in the distance.
It was the faint whirrrrr of...a STEAM TRAIN!
To my amazement, Wymondham has a second train station just for steam trains that I never even knew about! Now, I knew that on occasion a steam train may travel through the main Wymondham station, but blimey, this other station with regular steam trains was a complete surprise!
We ran off to see if we could spot it as it passed through the station. But when we got there, it was resting. Due to depart the station in 15 minutes time.
So, we did what any person in their right mind would do, and bought tickets!
On we got, dog and all. And off we went!
Now, we only went one station along- a 9 minute journey. But the journey was amazing!
There's nothing like tearing through the Norfolk countryside on a wooden lined steam train, with your head out the window and the smoke in your eyes.
Of course, me and my ister had a good explore of the train too...
When we arrived at the next station, Kimberley Park, we hopped off and watched the train tear away into the distance.
Then we went on a countryside amble whilst we waited to be collected by my step-dad in the car.
Dear readers, have you ever been on a steam train?
I can now officially say I have....and it was delightful!
I thoroughly recommend a trip on one, and for those of you in Norfolk;
The Mid-Norfolk Railway and
The North-Norfolk Railway both run steam trains through various stations and hold numerous events!
We were on The Mid-Norfolk Railway, on a line which first carried passengers between Wymondham and Dereham on 15th Feb 1847!
After many changes to the line and services running upon it, the Wymondham - Dereham route was closed to passenger trains in 1969. It was only re-opened for public trains in 1999 after The Mid-Norfolk Railway Society was formed (1995), took ownership of the line, and carried out restorations.
The MNRS and its steam trains are now all run by wonderful volunteers...and for such an experience, the fares are very reasonable!
Our ticket from Wymondham to Kimberley Park (one way) cost £1.50 for an adult, 75p for a child, and 50p for a dog. And the tickets to further stations were little more.
(You can even pay £5 extra to travel in the observation car- right at the front, next to the little bar, and decked out with plush seats and giant windows!)
I'll leave you with a photo of me, errrr, posting a letter?
Floral dirndl skirt: charity shop.
Cream 1940's blouse: ebay.
Cardigan: part of a twinset, charity shop.
Shoes: Lady K, ebay.
Pip pip xx
