Geoff Caine

The weather was kind to we visitors, being sunny and warm.

Walking up from the car park (fields) was easy if not daunting to view (image left).

But the view back to the village houses beyond the River Severn from the station was rewarding (image above).

This is a beautiful station (image below) and so well kept by volunteers. It’s very close to Bewdley and Bridgnorth stations with their super urban attractions.

A large crowd of enthusiasts were gathered in the Arley station awaiting the passing of the Royal Scotsman.

The majority of men had cameras to hand, their wives (there were some there) looking on with appreciation of the scene and atmosphere but, in general not wielding cameras – it appeared that they had delegated the recording responsibility to the men, perhaps wisely.
We, I mean those gathered at the time, were treated to some fairly frequent arrivals and departures of steam driven trains. This affording some great shots.

However, there was huge disappointment (me especially!) that the Royal Scotsman did not stop at the station to allow photos to be taken leaving as well as arriving while I was there.

Could a 3 minute stop not have been arranged for the hundreds of visiting enthusiasts and supporters waiting there expectantly? I wonder! No doubt Severn Valley Railway reported the planned stops somewhere on their website.