<kuid:149790:100057> Logan Beck - NBR

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Just imagine ......

You are on a rural railway station in the north of England, and not too far from the Scottish border. There are only two other people on the platform who you assume are waiting for the same train as you.

It had been raining for the past few days but today, although cloudy, is dry. It could have been a lovely warm day, but a brisk breeze coming over the hills put an end to that. You hear a dog bark way off into the distance and, much nearer (perhaps in that tree over there), you hear sparrows chattering away. You look around and smile at the beautiful rural scene. So much different from where you were a few hours ago ... and then you hear it!

From somewhere beyond the hills, you hear the steady beat of a steam locomotive.  You are aware that it is coming in your direction as the sound slowly gets louder. The sound maintains its perfect beat, and then you see a plume of smoke, quickly followed by the sight of your train as it rounds the bend. Within a few minutes, it is entering the station and your senses relish the mixture of smoke, steam and hot metal as the locomotive passes by and gives that familiar metal squeal as it comes to a stop.

A carriage door near you opens, and an elderly lady steps down and gives you a polite smile. You step up through the open door; turn and close it behind you; sit down near the window ... and wait.