Rail Away s01e03 Episode Script

Nostalgia is the keyword in this journey taking us from Edinburgh in Scotland to Britain's capital London in the comfortable plush of The Royal Scotsman.
Like the Orient Express, the Royal Scotsman is a legend which the passing years have seen restored from faded glory glory to its former splendor.
In renovated Pullman carriages, the Royal Scotsman takes one pass many famous scenes from Britain's rich heritage.
and shows the travellers the startling beauty of the British countryside.
We begin our journey at Edinburgh, One of the the friendliest and most beautiful cities in Europe.
Situated among lakes and volcanic Hills, the city is divided between the somewhat rundownold town and the aristocratic looking new town which arose in the 18th century when Scotland was the intellectual center of Europe.
In this period, Edinburgh evolved into what still it is, a remarkable combination of late medieval and neo-classical buildings and garden's galore.
High above the old town, on the crater of the almost pre-historic volcano stands the famous Edinburgh Castle.
It is now a monumental tourist attraction offering magnificent panorama over the city.
It was the scene of battles with English armies which ultimately ended with Scotland giving up its independence and joining the United Kingdom in 1707.
The southern part of the country side around Edinburgh borders the Pentland Hills whose tops reached some 600 meters.
The unpredictable Scottish climate seldom allows this hilly area snow covering.
A result it has been into one of the world's largest artificial ski slopes .
Against classical Scottish decor it does make one think.
It is one of those typically Scottish drizzly days when the famous Royal Scotsman draws in to Edinburgh Waverley Station.
Pulled by diesel, as most of the British rail network will no longer take steam locomotives.
Despite this, the train exemplifies the grandeur of a rich history.
The locomotive pulls nine coaches.
An original pullman panorama carriage, two post-war restaurant cars, four hotel carriages also a Pullman origin, and two coaches for the extensive crew who see the passengers every need during the during the journey.
Traveling by the Royal Scotsman does not come cheap.
But those who can afford it, have an unforgettable trip.
Passengers comfort is in no way left to chance.
Before departure, fresh ingredients are taken on board for the preparation of lavish dinner.
Pushing to get on board would not be at all fitting.
The red carpet is laid down for the passegers and a steward is standing by to give them a personal welcome.
As the sounds of the bag pipe slowly merge into the grinding of the wheels we settled back to enjoy it all.
The journey has begun.
The first stretch takes us across the Anglo-Scottish border to Alma.
This interesting route shows us the beautiful scenery along the east coast of Scotland in all it's glory.
Not all the passengers have time to appreciate this.
As the temptation of the delicacies being handed around, proves almost too much to resist.
At the coastal town of Berwick, we have the centuries-old royal border bridge over the river tweed ahead of us.
Alnmouth is worth a visit not so much for the town itself, but because of Alnmouth castle.
From time immemorial the seat of The Dukes of Northumbeland.
The castle was originally built as impregnable fortress in the defense line of the Scottish coast.
But this was a good thousand years ago.
It is now a carefully preserved monumental structure sat in peaceful romantic landscape.
Before we pursue the journey toward London, we seize the opportunity to go for a trip with the authentic steam locomotive.
The Wheldale S134.
owned by Embsay Steam Railway.
This is one of the many private railway lines to be found in Great Britain.
They generally maintained by a club of train enthusiasts who devote many day off to the upkeep of the locomotives and the upkeep of the locomotives and carriages.
And of course, we tourists reap the benefits.
As the private lines generally go through magnificent scenic areas.
From the Wheldale to the British Barton Hill locomotives, is quite a change in every respect.
But this locomotive is indispensable for the next stretch down to York.
We happily take our seats, with sunset approaching, it will soon be time to move to the restaurant car where dinner will be served.
An exceptional experience, enjoying an outstanding meal while watching landscape rush pass and fade into complete darkness to the accompaniment of the monotonous cadence of the wheels.
After dinner, coffee is served in the appropriate manner.
In the evening the accent is on entertainment.
though amusement between the rails does have obvious restriction, there being no room for dancing.
Fortunately though there's plenty of good conversation so we'll reach York without a moment of boredom.
Tonight we won't be rocked to sleep by the cadence of the train, for it remains standing at York station.
The city has too many tourist attractions for us simply to pass it by.
A good reasonfor a visit to York is the National Railway Museum.
Great Britain has a rich history in steam trains.
A great variety of locomotives that have gone over the British tracks becomes clear from a visit to this museum.
which is the largest of its kind in the country.
here important locomotives have been saved from the scrap heap and preserved for the museum.
The main attraction, is without a doubt, the authentic turntable.
used to shunt locomotives to the other end.
York is a city with great historical awareness.
The history of our city is the history of England, say it's citizens.
History of York goes back to the Romans, so they do have a point.
The Roman wall in the city is tangible evidence of this.
Without doubt, the mos spectacular building in York is York Minster.
Building began in 1220, under Archbishop de Gray.
In the end, the building took 200 years to complete.
And became world-famous in the centuries following.
Particularly fine are the hundred and twenty eight stained-glass windows, varying in age from 70 years old to a good 800 years.
Stonegate is York's fashionable shopping centre cars are not allowed.
So the medieval and Gregorian architecture can be seen to the best advantage.
Compared with many of the city's assets, York station isn't really a monument.
Although it does have monumental characteristics.
In any case, it provides an appropriate setting for our train.
while the passengers go off into the city, the crew prepare for the London stretch.
Another treat is in store for the passengers who are first greeted with a welcome back drink.
Enroute to london we travel through the scenic part of the midlands.
in pleasant contrast in the industrial areas of Sheffield, Derby and Birmingham.
The reason we are travelling across this area has to do with the last stop before London, Cranmore, for a visit to yet another special locomotive.
From Cranmore is a short car journey to quorum court.
This is the base of the East Somerset Railway, another former private line that has been turned into a museum.
In this wide stretching countryside seemingly untouched by time it doesn't take much to imagine how things must have been and times gone by.
In the light of the Setting Sun the sight of the locomotive gives you an overwhelming feeling of nostalgia.
There is little room for a nostalgia at our next destination and the final one in our trip, London.
This section from Chippenham to London's Paddington station has a historical theme.
It was originally the most prominent part of Bristol to London route.
The track was laid under the supervision of a certain Isambard Kingdom Brunel.
A man way ahead of his time.
The track was of extremely sound material and ultimately formed a basis for the present-day intercity trains racing over them at some 120 miles an hour.
In his day trains certainly went no faster than some 30 or 40 miles an hour.
The stretch to Londonis also the culinary climax of the journey .
crowned with with a magnificent fruit dessert.
While recovering from our lovely dinner, we're again aware of the beauties of this part of Great Britain.
Another dilemma presents itself.
Shall we enjoy uninterrupted reading of a paper or a magazine, or shall we dream away the time, by gazing absent mindedly at the coutryside racing past.
It's a fine conclusion to a remarkable trip.
In a remarkable train ending up at a remarkable station.
Paddington Station was built in 1854, because London station had outgrown itself.
It was also designed by Mr.
Brunnel.
He gave the station a roof, with a span of over 1,000 feet.
unique in those days.
And Paddington Station is still remarkable.
Where else would you find waiting you a row of taxis all lined up on the platform.
This could probably only happen here.
A visit to London offers many opportunities.
To many in fact, for a short visit.
We opted for Trafalgar square, with it's statue of Lord Nelson.
the greatest hero in Great Britain's maritime history.
In terms of monumental structures, the houses of parliament at the conclusion of this journey are also well worth a visit.
Anyone visiting London should not miss a boat trip on the Thames.
If you haven't sailed under Tower Bridge, you can't claim to have seen London.
Next time join us on rail away for a spectacular journey through South Africa.
We will travel in luxury and style on the famous Rovos train from Pretoria to Cape Town.
So come with us, to one of the most talked-about countries in the world, South Africa on our next Rail Away.
Tekkichan