A gathering
of those who like trains - steam trains to be precise
we're all here - lifes 'strange' ones
the unusual types
the long haired bushy beard types
the slightly autistic types - muttering to themselves as they search for a seat
the railway 'anoraks'
the spotters
the book collectors - the ones who come for the second-hand book stalls
the how does it all work 'geeks'
the lineside wavers
those over ladend with camera equipment
the older types - they used to go to school on one of these
the cap wearers - resplendent with logos from many a long gone railway company
the rivet counters - pedantic ones who like things just so
and will complain if it isn't
the wives who've been dragged along by their husbands
the lineside photographers - stood in their favourite spot
tripods and cameras ready
timetables in hand
a flask of coffee and plenty of sandwiches
and a comfy stool to wait on for the next opportunity
the videoers - video cameras stuck on tripods
lots of clips taken which they look forward to editing together later
those who prefer the end of their favourite platform
cameras ready
timetables memorized
those who like to hang out of windows
complete with goggles to keep the 'smuts' out of their eyes
maybe recording the sounds of the 'clickety clack'
and the 'toot toot' of the whistle
the studiers of timetables
noting down late starts and early arrivals
the regulars
those who know - know the drivers
know everyone on the train
and who know all the volunteers on every station
or the ones who simply choose a station and sit with a coffee, shooting the breeze
...and then there's me!
