Ruritanian Railways - 2011

The Friday afternoon rush was as frenzied as usual yesterday. The afternoon up arrival from Prague carried extra parcels and passenger accommodation, meaning double-heading was needed. It's seen storming past the invisible ballast quarry on the first part of the climb to Pootank.
bcea60949f374e80a6770e41d1f273d9.jpg


A relief train for the down "Trans-Carpathian" express runs on Fridays Only, providing a through service to Bratislava (Pressburg) rather than Prague. It is seen passing Pootank Halt with the green (passenger) liveried Mallet in charge.
53d71a8217e64f2b94018055b5c0a086.jpg


The down Trans-Carpathian was captured from a hand-glider of the Ruritanian Air Force (RAF) as it paused briefly at the border station. The railbus will work the 16.55 up local service in due course. Both cars are required on Fridays for the exodus from Zenda to our small, yet perfectly-formed, nation's wonderful countryside.
8c941d6cdab54e009803aac7a3fdf933.jpg


Later in the day, the railbus is seen parked in Zenda yard, alongside the inevitable rake of invisible ballast hoppers. Mallet 99201 will trundle down to the border with them once the rush is over.
7ec6e46eff634a25817b7e6dae29750d.jpg
 
Sadness has overwhelmed Ruritania after the death of Prince Rudolf's much admired great uncle Otto (von Habsburg), uncrowned King-Emperor of Austria-Hungary for almost 90 years (b1912; r1922; d2011). It is rumoured in the local press that one of Otto's last wishes was that the title of Holy Roman Emperor be revived and granted to the house of Elphberg-Rassendyll as the sole royal regime remaining in the ancient empire. Time will tell.

The Royal Train was today made ready to take members of our Royal Family, dignitaries and even some politicians to the principal funeral in Vienna this Saturday and the second interment of Otto's heart in Budapest on Sunday. A funereal black Mallet leads Royal Train engine 685 at Zenda station.

3ef57d8ded0b4cf49e7330118a69b2c0.jpg
 
Oh dear, sad news indeed. Still, at least old Otto had a good innings. How long is the official period of mourning?

Real Gooey are playing a pre-season friendly against Queens Of The West tonight. I shall ensure that black armbands are worn (should look most effective on QOTW's all pink kit).
 
Please pass on my sincere condolences to the Prince and his immediate family.........

Will there be a commemorative pork pie to celebrate the passing of one of Ruritania's founding fathers????
 
mmts said:
Please pass on my sincere condolences to the Prince and his immediate family.........

Will there be a commemorative pork pie to celebrate the passing of one of Ruritania's founding fathers????
Click to expand...

His Serene Highness has requested that I express his gratitude for your most kind sentiments. The Imperial Pie Works is indeed proposing a commemorative batch of pork pies in a curry jus. An executive version which includes the highly desirable accoutrements of grattons and boudin noir (*) will also be made available for the discerning palate.

The ensemble will be available as soon as the official period of mourning ends next Monday. As you will be aware, Friday has been declared a national holiday in order that proceedings may be viewed on TV Ruritania. I would personally recommend a flagon of "Old Pretender" to salute dear old uncle Otto.

(*) - known by the rural peasantry as pork scratchings & black pudding
 
whatlep said:
mmts said:
Please pass on my sincere condolences to the Prince and his immediate family.........

Will there be a commemorative pork pie to celebrate the passing of one of Ruritania's founding fathers????
Click to expand...

His Serene Highness has requested that I express his gratitude for your most kind sentiments. The Imperial Pie Works is indeed proposing a commemorative batch of pork pies in a curry jus. An executive version which includes the highly desirable accoutrements of grattons and boudin noir (*) will also be made available for the discerning palate.

The ensemble will be available as soon as the official period of mourning ends next Monday. As you will be aware, Friday has been declared a national holiday in order that proceedings may be viewed on TV Ruritania. I would personally recommend a flagon of "Old Pretender" to salute dear old uncle Otto.

(*) - known by the rural peasantry as pork scratchings & black pudding
Click to expand...
Ok then in that case can I leave an order with you to pass onto Chef Kowalski for a brace of the commemorative pies to be delivered with the usual order on the 6th Friday of the month
Can I also enquire with whom would I need to speak with regarding placing an order for some "Old Pretender"??
 
mmts said:
Ok then in that case can I leave an order with you to pass onto Chef Kowalski for a brace of the commemorative pies to be delivered with the usual order on the 6th Friday of the month
Can I also enquire with whom would I need to speak with regarding placing an order for some "Old Pretender"??
Click to expand...

Most certainly. Chef will be delighted. I'll speak to young Mr Grace of the Jacobin brewery about getting you a sampler case of Old Pretender too.
Delivery to Madame Fifi's as usual? :bigsmile:
 
Your kind words have been greatly appreciated by the royal family. However, life must go on and the fight to keep the Wednesdays Only parcels train (with passenger accommodation) from the border has begun!

Members of the All Ruritanian Society of Enthusiastic Railwayists have begun a practice of travelling on this service to make its withdrawal on economic grounds more difficult. It is rumoured that their activity is being encouraged in certain high places, including the Zenda locomotive depot who today steamed "heritage" locomotive number 7 for the train. The Stig's Ruritanian cousin was ecstatic.
9949579b63ae47078e7213d35aa22921.jpg
 
Flags would fly at half mast on the Rotherfield & Seahaven branch, if we had a flagpole or indeed a flag.
We wish the famous celebrity chef, Des Trains would appear at Rotherfield to give us his receipe for his world famous pork pies, whilst not patronising the local inhabitants like Jamie Oliver did in Rotherham, whilst ........ post stopped here as I do not want to get the site into a tricky situation.
 
Trains in a landscape. One of the things which make being in Ruritania worthwhile.....
f6aa7d3f2692460395f9c2c28f0effe8.jpg
 
Isn't that great. :thumbup:

I take it the Official Photographer has his feet in the babbling waters of the Ruritanian Spa to take that shot. It would of course be impossible during the winter when the spa waters have beek known to rise sufficiently wash away the invisible ballast.....
 
yb281 said:
Mmmmm lovely. :thumbup:

I see that you crossed to the other side for that shot Peter. :nail::nail:
Click to expand...

I have found the dark side. Join me. You know you want to..... :nerd:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom