Sometimes, just sometimes the world and time stands still. Unbelievably, this wonderful vista was mine and my dog's alone for over an hour. Longer trains and larger locomotives passed us by, but the diminutive, apple green J72 tank with her three carmine and cream coaches were somehow 'just right'. Chocolate box it may be, but the crisp, vivid colours are exactly as the lens captured them with no digital magic applied! For those with an interest in railway engineering, the Victoria Bridge was built by John Fowler, engineer, for the Severn Valley Railway Company. Cast-iron and rusticated sandstone ashlar. The inscription, repeated on each side of the bridge reads: 'Victoria Bridge 1861 John Fowler, Engineer' in the centre. To the left, 'Messrs. Brassey & Co., Contractors' and to the right: 'Cast and erected by the Coalbrookdale Company'. It would be fascinating to know how many trains have passed over the Severn's waters in the 150 years since then.
