I was at the Popstalgia car show in Leicestershire a week or so ago & when I left, spotted signs for "The BattleField Line" -a local railway attraction.
I'm not really a big train buff, but I do love anything old & interesting, so I turned around & followed the signs. I ended up at Shackerstone station, not far from the site of the Battle of Bosworth, (a punch up between the Houses of York & Lancaster in 1485. Henry & the Lancastrians won -no, not Google, but one of the few facts I remember from school).
Shackerstone's a lovely little Victorian station, with a line running to Market Bosworth then on to Shenton, (where the battle actually took place). They run steam trains, but on the Sunday afternoon I was there, it was 1960s diesels, which were just as interesting cos I remember them from my youth.
A really nice, friendly little place, run by genuine enthusiasts who were more than happy to chat & show off their collection.
After a slice of Victoria sponge from the café in the converted waiting room, I hopped on the train for the 10 minute ride up the line to Shenton. Amazing how just the smell of an old carriage can bring back memories of trips as a kid, the daily commute to college during my apprenticeship etc. Clunky slam-lock doors, stripey seats, overhead luggage racks, little domed art deco roof lights, emergency cords -I'd forgotten all that stuff.
