“Trains are wonderful.... To travel by train is to see nature and human beings, towns and churches, and rivers, in fact, to see life.” Agatha Christie
Everyone will have travelled by train at some time or another. Railway journeys can be thrilling, romantic or hum drum if going on holiday, on honeymoon or to work. But everyone will have a train story to tell. Use this session to help members focus on reminiscence and story telling.
Begin the session with a few open questions...
- Who likes travelling by train? What is so good about it?
- Does anyone remember travelling on a steam train? What was it like?
- What is the best railway journey you ever went on, either at home or overseas?
Ask for train related recollections. Here's mine ...
When I was a boy, Mum and Dad took us on holiday to York. As we lived in Newport, that seemed like such a long way away. We never really ventured far in those days, being a family of six boys (I'm the youngest). We regularly had holidays in Barry, as all our grandparents lived there and weekend visits were very frequent. So anyway, as I was a train spotter Mum and Dad thought it would be nice while we were in York to get a day trip on a train. British Rail used to do these 'Magical Mystery Tours'. You didn't know where you were headed and there was a prize for the first person to guess the right destination. Guess where we ended up? Barry Island, of course. A few rides on the funfair, fish and chips, an iced cream, hello to Nan and Alma, then back to York! Smashing!
I used to love exploring the 'Barry Railway Graveyard'. Fortunately, most of the trains there were saved and refurbished for heritage railways.
IDIOMS
Next ask members to complete these well known phrases together, by way of a shout out ...
Lose your train of THOUGHT
Ride the gravy TRAIN
Back on the right TRACK
Let the train take the STRAIN
One track MIND
Toe the party LINE
Light at the end of the TUNNEL
Just the TICKET
Letting off STEAM
Tunnel VISION
Draw a line in the SAND
Hook, line and SINKER
Lose track of TIME
Station MASTER
Signal BOX
Give it the green LIGHT
The end of the LINE
Slow COACH
Mind the GAP!
All CHANGE!
Full steam AHEAD
MUSIC & PICTURE QUIZ
Round 1. General Knowledge
1. In 1830, which locomotive built by George Stephenson became the first ever commercial train?
How fast could it go?
2. Which train could go faster, an 'Intercity' or 'The Flying Scotsman'?
3. What nickname was given to the Shinkansen high-speed trains of Japan because of their appearance and speed?
4. See if you can name these 15 London Underground stations?
👼
🧸
🐤⚓️
👏🐷
🔨🧲
🙈🅿️📐
🤴🤴🤬
🐘➕🏰
💦🚽
🐂🚗🎪
🧑🍳🏘️
💈🥫
🧀🔲
💂🐦⬛⛰️
⬅️🔔
5. Which city's underground railway is called the 'Metro'?
6. Name this railway?
7. What type of railway is this? (connects Lynton & Lynmouth)
8. Which children and dog advertise GWR?
Here it is - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QpfQARH2Js
9. Name the 4 stations in a game of 'Monopoly'?
10. SONG. 'Morningtown Ride', The Seekers - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-RkC6MYT2E
Which Radio 4 game show, hosted by Nicholas Parsons, had a round called 'Mornington Crescent'?
Round 2. TV
11. Name the character?
And the author who created him?
TV theme - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkB3F4-NI8A
12. Name the character?
And the driver?
TV Theme - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrSv1ZSmwNk
13. Name the man and his dog?
Here is the 'Train Chase' segment from the movie 'The Wrong Trousers' - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrmZIgVoQw4
14. Name the driver?
And his train?
TV theme - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E21IBtVBwW8
15. Name the TV show?
And the presenter?
16. Name the TV show?
Name the presenter and the guide book?
17. Who undertook a 'Trans Siberian Adventure'?
Have a guess at where the railway starts and ends, and how long it is?
18. Name the TV show?
The 'Bluebell Heritage Railway' is used for filming. Anyone know where it is?
TV theme - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3xnUdt5Zm0
19. Name the TV show?
Name the actress?
TV theme - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnQr1u21GUI
20. SONG. 'The Runaway Train', Michael Holliday - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7_IMEvr9ek
What is the name given to the brake on a train that automatically kicks in if the driver lets it go?
Round 3. Movies
21. Name the movie?
And the actors?
VIDEO BREAK
Here is an excellent parody sketch by the cast of 'Goodness Gracious Me' ...
22. Name the movie?
And the station master character and actor?
23. Name the movie series?
What station and platform did the train leave from?
24. Name the movie?
And the character and actor?
25. Which James Bond movie is partly set on 'The Orient Express'?
Name the actor on the right?
Here is the movie song - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwLXDv6jXr4
26. Name the movie?
Name the two actors?
27. Name the movie?
Name the two male actors?
28. Name the movie?
Name the actor who voiced the part of the conductor?
29. Name the bear?
Where is he from? What sandwiches does he like to eat?
Here he is with the late Queen ...
30. Which 1988 movie starring Phil Collins is based on the 1963 'Great British Train Robbery'?
Nearest guess. How much was stolen?
Here is the hit song from that movie ...
31. SONG. 'Two Hearts', Phil Collins - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SidxJz94Svs
Which prog rock group was Phil Collins lead singer and drummer with?
Round 4. Bits & Bobs
32. Which famous musician has built an intricate model railway in his attic?
33. While we are there, what is the name of the biggest model railway manufacturer?
34. Can you name the busiest railway stations in the following cities: (a) Bristol, (b) Edinburgh, and (c) London?
35. From which station in London do 'Eurostars' depart from?
How long is the 'Channel Tunnel'?
Factoid. May 6th 2024 marked its 30th anniversary?
36. Which architect created many of our railways bridges and tunnels (full name)?
37. SONG. 'Trains And Boats And Planes', Dione Warwick - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Dyjr7Gl4nM
What is your favourite mode of transportation?
Complete these song titles ...
- 'Walk .. ..'
- 'Do You Know The Way .. ... ....?'
- 'Heart-.......'
- 'That's What ....... ... ...'
38. '9 to 5', Sheena Easton - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_3vZYOYNYU
Which other artist had a hit record, about working 9 to 5?
39. SONG. 'Midnight Train To Georgia', Gladys Knight & The Pips - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSXLOQPozOc
What is the capital of the US state Georgia?
40. SONG. 'Love Train', The O'Jays - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BlkTSKqE_8
What sign was behind the band in the video?
41. SONG. 'Take The 'A' Train', Duke Ellington - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cb2w2m1JmCY
In which club in Harlem did Duke Ellington and his Jazz orchestra achieve fame?
SINGALONG
SINGALONG. 'Chattanooga Choo Choo', Glen Miller - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBQzVE-XPW8&list=RDYBQzVE-XPW8&start_radio=1
(Song proper starts at 2:30. Lyrics included)
SINGALONG. 'Choo Choo Ch'Boogie', Bill Haley & The Comets - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meg_PhA3ma4
SINGALONG. 'The Locomotion', Little Eva - https://youtu.be/ow7fkcI0nUk
PRACTICAL ACTIVITY
One suggestion is to have a go at a group dance, either stood or seated (there are lots of arm movements), following some of the moves in the 'Jai Ho' dance at the end of the movie 'SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE'. Here it is ...
Or you could make a paper chain ... and use it to decorate the room
Or, indeed, you could make a paper train ...
ANSWERS
1. 'The Rocket' / 30 MPH
2. 'Intercity 125' was 125 MPH / 'Flying Scotsman' was 100 MPH
3. 'The Bullet'
4. Emojis
👼 - Angel
🧸 - Paddington
🐤⚓️ - Canary Wharf
👏🐷 - Clapham
🔨🧲 - Hammersmith
🙈🅿️📐 - Hyde Park Corner
🤴🤴🤬 - Kings Cross
🐘➕🏰 - Elephant & Castle
💦🚽 - Waterloo
🐂🚗🎪 - Oxford Circus
🧑🍳🏘️ - Baker Street
💈🥫 - Barbican
🧀🔲 - Leicester Square
💂🐦⬛⛰️ Tower Hill
⬅️🔔 Westminter
5. Paris
6. 'Snowdon Mountain Railway'
7. Funicular Railway
8. 'Famous Five' & Timmy
9. Fenchurch Street, Liverpool Street, Marylebone & King's Cross
10. 'Sorry I Haven't A Clue'
11. 'Thomas The Tank Engine' / Rev Wilbert Awdry
12. 'Ivor The Engine' / Jones The Steam
13. Wallace & Gromit
14. Casey Jones / 'Cannonball Express'
15. 'Around The World In 80 Days' / Michael Palin
16. 'Great British Railway Journeys' / Michael Portillo / 'Bradshaw's Guide'
17. Joanna Lumley / Moscow - Vladivostok / 5753 miles
18. 'Downton Abbey' / West Sussex
19. 'Oh Doctor Beeching' / Sue Pollard
20. 'Dead Man's Handle'
21. 'Brief Encounter' / Celia Johnson & Trevor Howard
22. 'The Railway Children' / Alberts Perks / Bernard Cribbins
23. 'Harry Potter' / Platform 9 3/4 Kings Cross
24. 'Murder On The Orient Express' / Hercule Poirot / David Suchet
25. 'From Russia With Love' / Sean Connery
26. 'Planes, Trains And Automobiles' / Steve Martin & John Candy
27. 'Throw Momma From The Train' / Danny DeVito & Billy Crystal
28. 'The Polar Express' / Tom Hanks
29. 'Paddington' / Peru / Marmalade Sandwiches
30. 'Buster' / £2.6M (£55M in today's money)
31. 'Genesis'
32. Rod Stewart
33. 'Hornby'
34. 'Temple Meads', 'Waverley' & 'Waterloo' ('Waterloo' has an annual footfall of 94.2M passengers)
35. 'St Pancras' / 31 miles
36. Isambard Kingdom Brunel
37. - 'Walk ON BY'
- 'Do You Know The Way TO SAN JOSE?'
- 'Heart-BREAKER'
- 'That's What FRIENDS ARE FOR'
38. Dolly Parton
39. Atlanta
40. 'Soul Train'
41. 'The Cotton Club'
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