Wednesday 11 April 2012

Take The Last Train Home

Dear all!!

I am now back in London, but as promised there are a few more posts from my home country.

I am not really sure how to introduce this post. So, here are pictures first, then maybe a few words afterwords (as ever, click to enlarge).







So, the topic of today's post is trains. And not just any trains, but very old, almost redundant ones. In my opinion they make for the most photogenic of subjects.
I admit this is a very random post, but then my interests are very random, so I suppose it is not a big surprise they are making an appearance here. These trains are at the outskirts of Tuzla (town I come from) and for years now I saw them only from the car. Then, a few months ago, I saw them on one of the blogs I follow and made it my mission to search for them next time I go back home.

So, I took my camera and went looking for these majestic beasts. It took an hour, a few kids on the street and a man watching me from one of the houses nearby to give me the directions to this wonderful, almost abandoned destination. And as I stood there admiring these old machines, memories of my childhood came flooding back.

I remember taking the train with my mum and aunt to the Croatian coast when I was not more than maybe 7 years old. I still remember how excited I was before we travelled, and then how hot it was in the old, tattered, busy carriage. The rest of the family travelled there by car, and as there was no space for everybody, the three of us took the train. This was a wonderful treat for me; it made me feel older and more important for some reason.
And then, years later, I would take the train as a teenager with my friends and again the destination was seaside. The journeys there were as exciting as the actual holidays. Going on a holiday with friends, no parents to watch over us, meeting new people on the train was such a grown up thing to do. I am not a particularly nostalgic person, but these times are some of the best times of my life.


I also recalled a story my grandmother told me. Her and my grandfather were travelling on the train with one of their daughters (she was maybe 5-6 years old, so think 50-60 years ago), and as the train pulled in one of the stations for a break, they got off to get a coffee and, the train took off unexpectedly but,... they forgot their daugther completely. I don't remember how they reunited, but suffice to say, they did find her, and the story is now just a part of our family's history (and my grandmother's craziness).


And what about these trains then? Well, they do not carry passengers but I think they are still in use, transporting heavy goods from town to town. I would actually love to travel on an old train again, or failing that, do a performance on it of some sort.


What about you? Is there anything that takes you back in time and remind you of your childhood and some good stories and memories?


Have a lovely rest of the week.

Red xx

 

12 comments:

Diane said...

I love old trains, these are fantastic photos. Love hearing about your families memories as well. Great post. Diane

Boye By Red said...

Thank you for lovely comments Diane.

Jane and Lance Hattatt said...

Hello Red:
Your photographs of the old trains are so very atmospheric. They really do transport one back in time and one wonders what stories that these ancient carriages could tell.

We loved your childhood recollections and trains for us are always the best option for travelling. Sadly, it is often the case that rail travel is far too expensive or simply too complicated to make it worthwhile.

We have never visited Bosnia-Herzegovina but we should dearly like to do so.

Saf said...

Thank you for the trip down the memory lane Red. I also remember with fondness our travels to the seaside and how if you set by the open window you ended up covered in soot from the train chimneys:)
Lovely, atmospheric photos as well.Love the story about your grandparents, ha, ha!xx

Style, She Wrote said...

Great pictures! So nice to see where you grew up. Red bricks always make me think of home; my parents' had a red brick house. xo style, she wrote

Natalia | Look-A-Porter said...

Thank you for sharing your memories and photos. You know, my grandparents lived not far from a railway, so as a kid I used to run there with my friends and watch the trains go by... And I love travelling by train very much (as long as the trip doesn't last for more than 24 hours, though... )

xxx

Anonymous said...

That is the most romantic train I have ever seen.
What a funny story! My mum left me at the butchers!

Fifi said...

I really enjoyed reading about the trains from your homeland and your childhood anecdotes were delightful too. However, how terrifying for your family to watch the train pulling away!!! I hope you had a wonderful time reuniting with your family and friends during your Easter break xo

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The PvdH Journal said...

Oh I just love the ambience of the photos. Not random at all, but beautiful!

Paola

www.ThePvdHJournal.com

Anonymous said...

such a cool place! love it
xx s
www.my-philosophie.com

Cappuccino frío said...

I love travel by train