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Steam-driven memories
I was very interested to read in the July issue of the return of The Railway Children in a film sequel, this time based on a family evacuated in the Second World War. My father was a serving British Army sergeant and, with the evacuation of Southampton underway, Mum decided to move her young family safely back to our grandfather’s home in the Railway Cottages of the Cotswold village of Toddington. There I was rocked to sleep in my cot by the rumble of trains and, on occasion I am told, German aircraft following the railway line to attack Coventry.
At the end of the war, we returned to Southampton. However, our railway heritage had been firmly established and we would spend successive holidays at Railway Cottages. We were so close to the railway, Grandad could sit in the parlour, check his pocket watch, then look from the window to see the signal change before suggesting we go out to see the trains pass.
We could also look across to the turntable and goodsmarshalling yard. It was like watching a giant game of billiards. The engine would pot the trucks into the correct positions, cushioned by the buffers. We were near the water tank too, where steam locomotives would stop to refill, the drivers giving us a deafening toot as they left.
On track the Giles family.
Mike’s mother with her parents and brothers, the first generation of ‘The Railway Children’
Joy ride When is a good time to retire from driving?
GETTY. RADIO TIMES / ELLIS PARRINDER
I hope the film is as memorable as the real thing!
Mike Giles Bursledon, Hampshire
A1 on the A1