magorstation
Member
- Joined
- 11 Nov 2014
- Messages
- 11
As a young boy in the late 50's and early 60's (and with with a father who was a steam engine driver based at Severn Tunnel Junction, entitled to 'priv. tickets' for the whole family) I frequently traveled through many tunnels but most often the Severn and Patchway tunnels.
I really enjoyed the smell of the steam and smoke but it wasn't all that pervasive as the tunnels were pretty well ventilated (I guess they still are). Also you could feel the pressure change in your ears as the train compressed the air in front and lowered it around the carriages. Once out of the tunnel, if you stuck your head out of the leather strap-controlled drop-down windows (not too far) you could still get the all lovely smells but you did risk getting a 'cinder' (a small speck of ash from the firebox exhaust). I don't recall getting particularly dirty from this experience. My mother may have had a different view!
I really enjoyed the smell of the steam and smoke but it wasn't all that pervasive as the tunnels were pretty well ventilated (I guess they still are). Also you could feel the pressure change in your ears as the train compressed the air in front and lowered it around the carriages. Once out of the tunnel, if you stuck your head out of the leather strap-controlled drop-down windows (not too far) you could still get the all lovely smells but you did risk getting a 'cinder' (a small speck of ash from the firebox exhaust). I don't recall getting particularly dirty from this experience. My mother may have had a different view!