Railway Walks Part 1

[Neil P]

A few evenings ago, I drove myself and little miss baby to Warmley to embark on the first of what I plan to be a series of railway walks. I parked the car close to the signal box and set myself the challenge of getting to the next station and back. Warmley station marked the start of the walk. Not sure why, but I didn't take a photo of the station. Wish I had now. It has some evocative silhouettes of commuters standing on the old platforms. Anyway, I was soon past it and was head down, marching on to whatever the next station would be. I wasn't sure what it would be as I'd forgotten to bring the map. After about 30 minutes of bends, bridges and slopes, I saw an old platform stretching out before me. I couldn't resist climbing on to the platform and exploring the ghost buildings and relics of times past. As I was deep in my thoughts, I noticed another platform for what would have been another branch line. This took me by surprise. What a beauty.

I walked up to the split in what would have been the line and took another photo looking back to where I had been.

A superb station. It rates as one of my favourites to date.

Dusk was falling, so it was time to head back. My walk was blessed with a glorious sunset.

I kept an eye out for cows...

...and traffic...

Then it was the rest of the path in the half-light.

All too soon, my walk was over, but I'm already looking forward to the next stage.