The first I recall I was 9 on my way home from school in my uniform in those old six seater carriages with white doilies on the head rests. I wanted a cup of tea and when the steward opened the door and announced refreshments were now available this little 9 year old piped up, “Ah that is what I was waiting for.” Took me years to understand why everyone laughed and one kind person bought my tea for me.
I used to do the coastal train ride across Devon to and from London in the days when the ticket man or woman wouldn’t check the tickets before reaching the Tamar Bridge so I would sneak into first class and sleep. Except of course when Totnes and Teignmouth came along and the bay opened up to the sea and the red cliff faces through which the train passed in a series of tunnels and on windy days the sea spray hit the windows.
And the journey I took to University the first time sitting opposite a real live female student and realising I was going to study more than books. And the small train, heavily crowded that left Reading and rattled a lot. And that amazing journey from Mumbai to Poona and seeing stewards running up and down the carriage to serve the passengers.
In other days I would be recalling chariot rides, or donkey rides of horse rides. But I look forward to many more train rides.