“The only way of catching a train I have ever discovered is to miss the train before.”
― G.K. Chesterton

“The train bore me away, through the monstrous scenery of slag-heaps, chimneys, piled scrap-iron, foul canals, paths of cindery mud criss-crossed by the prints of clogs.”
― George Orwell, The Road to Wigan Pier

“Yes. I remember Adlestrop—
The name, because one afternoon
Of heat the express-train drew up there
Unwontedly. It was late June.”
– Edward Thomas, Adlestrop

“The aristocrats, if such they could be called, generally hated the whole concept of the train on the basis that it would encourage the lower classes to move about and not always be available.”
― Terry Pratchett, Raising Steam

“I had my own compartment – plenty of space, plenty of provisions, the grapes, cookies, chocolates and tea that made being on the Trans-Siberian like a luxurious form of convalescence.”
― Paul Theroux, Riding the Iron Rooster

“Was it worth keeping the Halt open,
We thought as we looked at the sky
Red through the spread of the cedar-tree,
With the evening train gone by?”
– John Betjeman, Dilton Marsh Halt

“Railways, like Daleks, have difficulties in getting up hills.”
― Ian Marchant, Parallel Lines: Or, Journeys on the Railway of Dreams

“This is the Night Mail crossing the border,
Bringing the cheque and the postal order,
Letters for the rich, letters for the poor,
The shop at the corner and the girl next door.”
– WH Auden, Night Mail

“Pardon Me boy, is that the Chattanooga Choo Choo?”
― Mack Gordon, Chattanooga Choo Choo

“For many country folk, the railway was Paris.”
– Catherine Hewitt, Renoir’s Dancer: The Secret Life of Suzanne Valadon

“Lord, that Hollywood train, forever coming round the bend!”
― James Baldwin, The Devil Finds Work:

Gaily into Ruislip Gardens
Runs the red electric train,
With a thousand Ta’s and Pardon’s
Daintily alights Elaine
– John Betjeman, Middlesex

2025 Railway 200 – the 200th anniversary of the modern railway

Go Wild with touring theatre

WHAT does the word “wild” mean to you? Is it standing at the edge of a raging sea or being lifted up and spat out of a whirling tornado, running for your life through the streets or coming face to face with a wolf; the animal within that can’t always be tamed or the wilderness at the edge of your home?

Discover some exciting and unexpected answers when Black Country Touring brings a new show, Wild, to the village halls at Chagford on 24th October, Beaworthy on 25th, Broadmayne on 26th October and Wootton Fitzpaine on 29th, and Norton sub Hamdon on 31st, all at 7.30pm.

Wild explores the various meanings of “wild” – in the natural world, in our towns and cities, and within ourselves. Weaving together stories from more than 70 people, the performers create a journey of emotions from exhilarating fear to childlike joy.

Visit remote hills, mountains, dark forests and towns, and find out just how “wild” these places can be. Featuring original songs, immersive soundscapes and storytelling, this is a captivating show that will leave you wondering … what is your “Wild”?

The tours are organised by Villages in Action in Devon, Artsreach in Dorset and Take Art in Somerset.