Just wanted to say Hi and wish my fellow Canucks, and friends around the world a happy Canada day from the left hand coast of the True North Strong and Free!

I feel very privileged to call Canada my home, even though I do wish there were more trains here on Vancouver Island! (I've seen them both lol!)

Graham

Quote from: Moonglum on Yesterday at 08:53:42 PMHaven't heard these two for a while...

Blistering...

Tim

Yes, heard that before and like @Newportnobby , it's not my cup of coffee either - I too don't drink tea.

Jim Stafford. Pretty good player.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TU_a5ObBXzA

That's cool. I never heard of Suno before and when I looked it up, all I could find was AI. Good job in getting it all tuned in. Sounds awesome!

Quote from: kusojiji on Today at 12:00:15 AM

Quote from: scottmitchell74 on Yesterday at 12:48:36 PMMy first ever youtube song video.

Wow, very nice! Suno? AI?

Thank you!

Suno.

It's pretty cool if you're not freaked out by AI.

I've been writing lyrics to life stories and it's been cool hearing them in songs.

Quote from: scottmitchell74 on Yesterday at 12:48:36 PMMy first ever youtube song video.

Wow, very nice! Suno? AI?

Not my cuppacoffee, I'm afraid, Tim (I don't drink tea)

Haven't heard these two for a while...


Blistering...

Tim

Quote from: scottmitchell74 on Yesterday at 05:12:56 PMThanks fellas!

@Moonglum  - Yes, we were in Canada in 2013 and stayed in an old Canadian National caboose near Tavistock, ON. 

Very nice indeed @scottmitchell74

The Tale of the Lost Railway (Part – 2)

An introduction to the  two principal  characters :

Colin Penn

The first of the two main characters is Colin Penn. The story will be largely narrated by Colin.

Colin Penn was born in Teignmouth in 1935 living in the town for his entire  life apart from the three years spent at the University of Liverpool where he obtained a Third Class Honours Degree in Geography.

Colin was never  exactly sure why he studied geography at university. It was probably because he was advised to do so by Mr Beard the careers master at school simply because it was the subject at which he excelled. Having obtained three 'A' levels at school it was expected of Colin that he would go on to University which, of course, he did somewhat against his better judgement.


The Spotting Gang assembled on The Steps with Archie to the right wearing his trademark Brown Felt Hat

School work came reasonably easily to Colin but he generally failed to apply himself fully as highlighted in his regular school reports. He was, like many young lads, easily distracted. In his case the distraction was railways and in particular the fine locomotives of the GWR which frequented the South Devon Sea Wall which was  his local patch .

Never a particularly gregarious sort,  Colin kept to the fringe of the  spotting gang that assembled regularly on "The Steps" situated adjacent to the railway line just beyond the end of Teignmouth promenade. Despite being somewhat shy as a young boy he was on friendly terms with an older chap who always seemed to be immaculately dressed complete with a light brown felt hat. This chap, nicknamed Brown Hat Man by the spotting gang, was very easy to talk to and always happy to pass on interesting snippets of railway related information. He seemed to be "in the know" regarding any unusual  events related to railways.

University worked out well for Colin in a social, as well as academic, sense. He became much more confident amongst other people and was happy to engage in the various societies which interested him particularly, of course, the Railway Society.  He was also actively involved with the student association and became editor of the student magazine. It was  a post that would very much help with his future career choice.
His three years at university completed, Colin returned to Teignmouth. Quite by chance he quickly landed a job as an office junior at the Teignmouth Chronicle progressing very quickly to a position as transport reporter. This was not a particularly demanding role but it gave him an excellent grounding in journalism.

Having moved to his own flat and courting a local girl, Mary White, Colin surprised everyone by branching out on his own as a freelance investigative reporter specialising in newsworthy events  related to transport, particularly railways,

Colin and Mary were married in 1959, the couple purchasing a small cottage near to Teignmouth town centre.

The second principal character is Archie Hardcastle :


Archie Hardcastle, full name Sir Archibald Sinclair Anderson Hardcastle, was born in 1919.
The Hardcastles originally hailed from the far North of Scotland where the family still retain a presence, and a prominent one at that owning a large estate.

The family home of the English branch  of the family has been, for a couple of  centuries, Baskerville Manor which is located on the edge of Dartmoor between Moretonhampstead and Okehampton.

Archibald, having been schooled at Harrow,  obtained a first class honours degree in English at Cambridge before joining  the RAF where he progressed very quickly. He went on to fly Spitfires and Hurricanes during World War Two being highly decorated for valour and outstanding bravery. After the war he took up a senior position as chief advisor to the Prime Minister. He was knighted for his work in 1957.

Archibald hated formality and always played down his achievements, much preferring not to talk about them at all. He rarely, if ever, made reference to his  title and always, unless in a formal setting, went by the name  of Archie.

In 1958 he retired from the Civil Service, at the relatively  young age of 39, effectively to oversee the family farm on Dartmoor. An estate manager was quickly leaving Archie ample time to pursue his lifelong interest in  railways.

Archie and his wife Lady Felicity or, as she much preferred Flic, purchased  a modest house in Teignmouth meaning that he could spend as much time as he dared simply watching trains on the sea wall. Archie is, of course, the man in the felt hat or, as he is referred to by the spotting , Brown Hat Man".

The couple retained the family home on Dartmoor visiting regularly to ensure that all was running to plan but Archie's huge passion for railways meant that he spent as much time as possible in Teignmouth where he had easy access to the sea wall  to simply watch trains. He did , however, allow enough time to spend most lunch times at The Ship Inn partaking of luncheon and a pint, or two, of their very finest ale.

Archie was, by his own admission, a trifle eccentric in his manner but always very popular, jovial and above all very benevolent towards local deserving causes. He seemed to know absolutely everyone and was liked by one and all.

Archie had wide ranging railway interests about which he was very talk enthusiastically. There was, however, one railway related matter, let's,  perhaps,  call it a hidden, secret obsession. It was something which he never, ever mentioned except to trusted members of his own family.............

To be continued............