#taw valley

[askyoungiron]

Human Gold Construct of the multi-coloured Taw Valley

The UK's Wine Aunt and Pendennis Castle's current girlfriend.

[mjalford98]

Marking a year since the passing of Her Late Majesty the Queen, and a year since these photos were taken, West Country class steam locomotive no 34027 Taw Valley, masquerading for the Platinum Jubilee as No 70 Queen Elizabeth II awaits its next turn of duty on Saturday 17 September during the Severn Valley Railway's Autumn Steam Gala last year. I have previously posted some more natural looking photos, but having quite a few shots from the day, I decided to put these two through a little experimental editing to add some extra variety of tone to the mix. All photos are of course on Flickr.

[putuponpercy]

British railway fans are allergic to any colour on a steam locomotive that isn't greens, blues, maroon or black /j

[tornadoyoungiron]

Traintober | Day 17 - Holiday 

Taw Valley takes a holiday to the Great Western. Chaos ensues.

For Nick. And our discussions about Taw Valley being the premier, desperate Wine Aunt of the UK heritage railway scene.

~~~

“We need to talk about your sister.”

Braunton sighed as he heard the bark of a Black 5 coming up beside him. He looked over and found a polished black engine with red trim, the number, 5025 emblazoned on his cab and buffer beam.

“If anything the less talk about my sister the more she’ll cease being an insufferable flirt!” Braunton interjected. “I don’t know whether she does it for attention or she’s just that desperate to find an engine to settle down with.”

“I’ve struggled to find anyone who wants to go down to Severn for their winter gala,” 5025 stressed. “The main trouble being-”

“They don’t want Taw Valley to incessantly flirt with them while they’re there,” Braunton conceded with a frustrated sigh. “You don’t think I’ve been trying for decades to get her to stop Connor?”

The Black 5 gazed at Braunton sympathetically. He gave a thoughtful hum and tutted.

“I was actually thinking of sending her away for that weekend, maybe an exhibit or a visit to the NRM,” Connor suggested and Braunton gave a choke of a laugh.

“Flying Scotsman is tolerant but he’s not that tolerant,” the West Country scoffed. “The more famous they are the more she’s going to be extra… ah shall we say, insistent. Despite, well, you know.”

“The fact that Scotsman and Truro are a thing?”

Braunton snorted in mirth.

“Worst kept secret in existence, no thanks to Pendennis.”

Connor stared at the sheds in front of him for a long while, considering their options before a smirk appeared on his face.

“What?” Braunton questioned as he saw the devious look in the Black 5 eyes.

“Pendennis hmm? I was thinking, has Taw Valley ever experienced, ‘the Great Western Way?’” Connor asked of the Southern Engine.

Braunton smirked, knowing exactly where the LMS engine was going.

“Why, no, I don’t believe she has Connor.”

~~~

“The Great Western’s?” Taw Valley was surprisingly unenthused by the prospect of meeting new engines she could mingle (or more accurately, flirt) with. “A bunch of prudes stuck in their ways, it’s incredibly undesirable!”

Braunton bit back his impulse to shout in frustration. 

“That friend of yours though…” Taw Valley inquired suggestively. “Will he be there? I don’t think I’ve met him.”

Braunton looked back at his sister in surprise. He knew exactly who she meant and he was reluctant to throw his friend onto the tracks.

“I’ve told you to leave my friends out of your conquests,” Braunton hissed at her annoyed. “Yet you keep flirting with Scotsman!”

“Oh everyone flirts with Scotsman!” Taw Valley dismissed his concerns.

“That doesn’t mean he likes it!” Braunton snapped back. “There are boundaries you should not cross Dotti!”

Taw Valley sighed and huffed at him. 

“You’re such a drag, little brother,” Taw Valley tartly chirped. “So Scotsman’s really with that pretty little Western hmm?”

“Will you at the very least entertain the idea of going to Didcot?” Braunton asked exasperated, ignoring her question.

“If it pleases you, little brother, I shall,” Taw Valley finally conceded. 

“Please just leave Pendennis out of your conquests, he’s one of my best friends,” Braunton appealed to his elder sister.

To his surprise, Taw Valley smiled at him, her eyes kind.

“I promise, Braunton, I am, of course, not completely without scruples.”

Braunton however wasn’t so sure.

~~~

Taw Valley did attempt to make good on her promise to her brother, however, it was all so tempting, but she kept strong and refused to even look at the Castle class who seemed to be there at every turn.

She was getting frustrated and tried to distract herself with the King Edwards but they were insufferably up their own tenders. They were always insisting upon themselves, always looking down on the other engines even though Taw Valley towered above them.

How irritating.

King George was marginally better but he seemed… well, he seemed old, to put it one way. She did not want to settle down with someone whose personality felt like a doddering elderly man. It was exceedingly poor form. Even if his Golden Bell was extremely charming.

That Clun Castle was the one she disliked the most. She was snivelling and she was crass, not a single rivet of class in her. Taw Valley had shooed her away, the irritating engine cursing her and calling her ugly.

Ha! Her? Ugly? 

She was as blind as she was stupid.

There was a reason why she never really tried to flirt with the Great Western’s. They were all obsessed with work or with adhering to the ‘Great Western Way,’ whatever that meant. They were all so… boring.

“Is there any reason why yer avoidin’ me, you purple beaut?” A very Australian-sounding voice greeted her and to her surprise, she found the engine of the hour, Pendennis Castle himself idling up next to her.

“Oh, hello you!” Taw Valley shrilly exclaimed, flattered by the Great Western. “I’ll have you know that my brother does not approve of me ‘flirting’ with his friends.”

“Ah, I see,” Pendennis chuckled, his voice changing to a strange mix between Welsh and Australian which Taw Valley could only assume was his natural accent. “Well, we’re both adults, we can make our own choices.”

“Contrary to many people’s beliefs, I do actually want to respect the wishes of my little brother,” Taw Valley disputed, she eyed Pendennis with a wandering gaze. “No matter how hard such a thing may be.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment, My Lady in Purple,” Pendennis charmed her and Taw Valley blushed, she wasn’t used to being flirted at for once. “And if Braunton asks, I did approach and flirt first, so technically-”

“It doesn’t count,” Taw Valley chortled. “You’re a sly thing, Pendennis Castle. And here was I thinking that you Great Western’s were nothing but boring and tasteless!”

“Now, I’m technically an honorary Australian,” Pendennis laughed. “I suppose that’s where the ‘forwardness’ comes from. No nonsense over there, just straight to the point. Pendennis before Australia was just as boring.”

“Straight to the point is how I like my engines!” Taw Valley implored. “And here was me thinking you had a big crush on the Flying One.”

Pendennis simply chuckled at that.

“Once. A long time ago. But we discussed it and it was never meant to be I’m afraid,” Pendennis admitted regretfully. “I do adore Scotsman, but we just don’t… ‘click’ if you know what I mean?”

“I don’t,” Taw Valley bluntly replied. “But I’d like to find out if you ‘click’ with me, if you know what I mean.”

Pendennis gave her a smirk. 

“I do believe I do, Taw Valley.”

“Please, it’s Dottie!” 

“Charmed, call me Penpen or Rio Fe!”

Taw Valley couldn’t help but feel a little guilty at her interactions with Pendennis because of her promise to her brother. But then again, like he said, Pendennis had approached her. He couldn’t be mad at her for that.

Maybe this little Holiday would turn out to be a good one after all.

~~~

Hey Nick, if you’re reading this then I want you to know that this is equally your fault as it is mine. Go say hi to Taw Valley and Pendennis for me if you see them again. <3

[thatcheeseycandle]

I think Pendenny would match Taw Valley in fiestyness so it could go either way but Taw is very loud engine

YESSS ANON YOU GET ME

Taw Valley is, very much so in a positive way, fiesty BUT GOODLORD PENDENNIS DOESNT MIND ITAND IT ALSO GIVES HIM A CHANCE TO BE LIKE FULLY HIMSELF IN A WAY AROUND DOTTI

CAUSE YKNOW HE WAS EXPECTED TO BE YKNOW BY THE BOOK AND TRADITIONAL LIKE A GREAT WESTERN

And now that hes in a relationship where like "Oh if shes chaotic, I can be chaotic too!" LIKE YKNOW MATCHING TO EACHOTHER'S ENERGY EUAUFJDHFBF

[petec9099]

34027 'Taw Valley

[the-time-lord-oracle]

34027 Taw Valley at Kidderminster, July 2019.

[kidlit-queen-competition]

I'm too busy to make a real pride month post so have this train-bow flag instead

In order of meaning on Gilbert Baker's original eight colour rainbow flag, these are:

Hakushin line JR E653-1000 U107; Hot pink, representing sex.

Bernina Express; Red, representing life.

SEPTA's Broad Street Line; Orange, representing healing.

Doctor Yellow (Shinkansen test train)- Yellow, representing sunlight.

Sž series 711; Green, representing nature.

DOST Hybrid Electric Train; Turquoise, representing magic & art

British Rail class 385; Indogo, representing Serenity.

SR 34027 Taw Valley (Platinum Jubilee livery); Violet, representing Spirit.

[guerrerense]

'Taw Valley', Bridgnorth (1) por Arriving Somewhere Photography

[risenwraith]

#135 Death is before me today...

iw mt m-Hr.i min   mi snb mr   mi prt r xntw r-sA ihmt iw mt m-Hr.i min    mi sty antiw   mi Hmst xrt XtAw hrw TAw iw mt m-Hr.i min    mi sty sSnw   mi Hmst Hr mryt nt txt iw mt m-Hr.i min   mi wAt Hwyt   mi iw s mSa r pr sn iw mt m-Hr.i min   mi Abbi s mAA pr.sn   ii.nf rnpwt aSAwt m nDrt

Death is before me today:    like recovery, like remission,    like stepping into the sunshine after surgery. Death is before me today:    like the deep scent of myrrh,   like sitting under a sail on a breezy day, facing the horizon. Death is before me today:    like lily-of-the-valley, like lotus,    like lounging, drunk, at a beach party.  Death is before me today:    like the path homewards,   like the weary soldier’s return.  Death is before me today:   like a friend when all around me are strangers,   like inevitability, like relief.

(Today everything was a bit much, so I made my own inaccurate translation of 'Conversation between a man and his Ba' - a 4000y old poem from Ancient Egypt to make myself feel better.)

[sudrian-railways-enthusiast]

for the ask game, can you tell/share a bit more on Cold Iron/Funiculars of the Fantastic?

i just like saying 'funiculars' <3

Funiculars and the Fantastic

AKA Cold Iron

AKA Olton Hall goes to Florida

First, some disclaimers:

This fiction engages with the existence of the Harry Potter Franchise

I do not recommend financially contributing to said Franchise at this time

This work of Real Locomotive Fiction (RLF) is inspired by Hatt v Rowling by halfbakedhex8 on twitter and Joezworld's headcanons regarding Olton Hall and Taw Valley 

Written for Traintober, this work plays with themes of cosmic horror and the threshold of the uncanny valley for steam locomotives

In which Olton Hall, due to unfortunate contract compromise and/or the mistaken assumption that his celebrity status would be properly acknowledged, finds himself neglected and obsessed over for a week on a plinth in Universal Studios theme park, Florida. His only reprieve from the endless stream of park goers? A seemingly Lovecraftian horror that mocks his form and speaks in his voice.

I have cleaned up excerpts of the scenes that inspired me:

And indeed, as Olton squinted over the heads of passengers, he saw what his driver meant. The engine was uncanny. Protruding from its smokebox was a face unlike any Olton had ever seen, but which also reflected Olton’s own complexion. Its mouth creased in the well-worn motion of connecting rods rather than the fluid motion of lips, and its dead eyes meandered to and fro in mechanical synchronization with the rhythmic oscillations of its expressionless countenance. Its skin was too rubbery and pale, and lacked a healthy metallic shine. Judging by the parkgoers in que, it seemed even some humans found its presence disturbing.

But Olton could perceive more. Living machines have a certain perception of architecture in the manner that a human perceives and imperceives faces. Certain schools of design define many a machine's very sense of self and other. Curves and straight edges, proportions and profiles, the placement and choice of components; any decision that is penned to blueprint (knowledge trivial, niche, enigmatic or even arcane to the layman) ought to have appeared as plain to Olton as the funnel on his smokebox. And so, even through the throng of people, Olton could sense an uncanniness. Parts whose function he could not understand. Parts that operated in unfamiliar ways, and certain familiar parts to him missing. As Olton scrutinized, he became more perplexed and unsettled, and curious, and sore in the smokebox. Once, he swore he caught sight of its driving wheels simply stop rotating as it left the platform and glided swiftly away. In the end, he was forced to conclude that he simply could not understand how the form so intent on impersonating his likeness could function the way it did, without actually possessing the functionality that made Olton, well, Olton. Despite functioning apparently fine? "Rich criticism", thought Olton, "coming from the engine currently on static display." But there was something else about the engine that disturbed Olton on a completely different, visceral level. It spoke in his voice. His past voice. It spoke entirely and unerringly from a script pulled piecemeal from various clips of his acting career. "Doesn't it have a voice of its own?", Olton had complained to his crew. "Of course not!", his crew had replied. "It's only a model, like a mannequin!", "It's line is only half a kilo-long, it would be wrong to confine a living engine like that, it might even be illegal here in the states." "Oh, like static display is any better", Olton groused, annoyed. His crew could only grimace awkwardly at that. Slowly, Olton softened. "Is, -did it die?" "Oh goodness! No! Its never been alive at all, just a model, remember?" "Only Cold Iron."

Some time later, uninterrupted exposure to the Public™ and the park's unwillingness to cater to the needs of their local locomotive celebrity (such as designated meet and greet events rather than a continuous barrage of attention from the public at large) leads Olton Hall to demonstrate why imprisoning a very sentient steam locomotive in a theme park is not a profitable idea. [Not Pictured]

Olton sat in the studio lot after his outburst. A rumbling noise disturbed the elevated track before him, and two terribly familiar trains approached from opposite directions. He stared, incredulously. “Are there two of you?”

For a moment, eyes literally blinked into existence where there shouldn’t have been. Olton’s vision went hazy, speckled with afterimages. Squinting, he inspected each engine, tender, and carriage. No, no eyes, why did he see —two sets of Dead eyes swiveled jerkily to stare at Olton. A staticky staccato chorus. “No. Only. One.” A detached part of Olton noted that he recognized which clip from his past that each word had come from. The rest of him didn't really know what to think. As the two trains continued, out of view, they echoed, "Our. Heart. Belongs. to. King's Cross."

Bonus Notes:

POV Your upset celebrity guest accidently gave the spark of life to your very intentionally repressed and isolated amusement park attraction and it developed a gestalt consciousness to cope.

In a world where look-a-like locos are generally sentient, animatronic loco faces are exceptionally creepy.

For more information on the funicular in question, watch the other thing that inspired this work.

[askyoungiron]

Question for Taw Valley:

Kiss, Marry, Kill: Flying Scotsman, Pendenis Castle and City of Truro?

TAW VALLEY: Kill? Kill! I don't want to kill any of these beautiful, darling boys. They are all so wonderful and perfect in their own ways.

Not sure how I would kiss any of them though, buffer do rather get in the way. But if I could, I would kiss Truro and Scotsman and I would marry Pendennis.

PENDENNIS: HOORAY I GET THE GIRL! Lucky me!

TAW VALLEY: Of course my dearest steampuff!

PENDENNIS: Steampuff <3

[believerindaydreams]

some books what I have accumulated this last year.

not, of course, counting Dylan's collected poems because I already owned that

the love letters of Dylan Thomas

Caitlin, by herself

Letters to Vernon Watkins

Swansea and the Tawe Valley street atlas

Norman Lewis Thomas, The Story of Swansea's Markets

Richmal Compton, Just- William

Delyth Badder and Mark Norman, The Folklore of Wales: Ghosts

Leslie Thomas, This Time Next Week

Alan Bilton, The Known and Unknown Sea

Wynne Lloyd, An Account of the Trade of the Port of Swansea, etc.

Andrew Dulley, The Mystery of William Crach

Christopher Isherwood, Prater Violet

Decalog 2, Mark Stammers and Stephen James Walker

Jessa Maxwell, The Golden Spoon

William Golding, the Scorpion God

Robin Hood According to Spike Milligan

Spike Milligan, Where Have All the Bullets Gone?

Spike Milligan, Goon Show Scripts

Spike Milligan, More Goon Show Scripts

The Essential Spike Milligan

Norma Farnes, The Goons

William Rushton, W. G. Grace's Last Case

Red Dwarf, Log 1996

Red Dward, Primordial Soup

Leslie Charteris, The Saint In The Sun

Harry Secombe, Twice Brightly

Harry Secombe, An Entertaining Life

Jacqueline Heriteau, Potpourris and Other Fragrant Delights

all four dreadful yellow-backed Bessie Bunter books

Rainer Maria Rilke, Duino Elegies

Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch, Selected Short Stories

Rawhide: The Annual

Ray Galton and Alan Simpson, The Day Off

Theodore Sturgeon, More Than Human

Derek Jarman, A Dungeness Notebook

Craig Thomas, Firefox

Persona 5, Comic

[tornadoyoungiron]

Who's your best hype person when you need a boost?

[thatcheeseycandle]

Can you rant abt your favorite character? 👀👀

WELL WELL DEAR ANON- I dont know which character I should rant about BUT IM JUST YEAH IM GONNA RANT ABOUT THE FIRST ONE I CAN THINK OF

First one I can think of would be YIAU!Taw Valley (aka Dotti as she prefers to be called) but then like "Oh she doesnt have much appearances she only gets mentions!" BUT NO SHE GRABS THE SPOTLIGHT DURING PURPLE VALLEY AND THE 17TH TRAINTOBER PROMPT (Mainly the prompt) AND OH BOY DID I HYPERFIXATE IN HER SO SOSOSOOSOSOSOO MUCH

Her personality is very very, from what I can describe, a loud flirtatious yet bright optimistic person and lord she's so aunt coded IATKWUDHFB

THE WOMAN LITERALLY WRNT OUT FOR BILL AND BEN IN PURPLE VALLEY FOR RYAN LIKE AN AUNT ROASTING THE ABSOLUTE [REDACTED] OUT OF HER NEXIS/NEPHEW/NIECE'S BULLY DIOS

Not just that she was FILLED with suprises, for me atleast- LIKE SHES THE FLIRTY ONE WHOS YKNOW OPEN BOISTEROUS ETC YET SHES THE ONE WHO GETS ENTANGLED INTO A RELATIONSHIP INSTEAD OF HER ENTANGLING SOMEONE INTO A RELATIONSHIP

Lord LORD I CAN JUST RANT OVER HOW HER LIVERIES LOOK SO GORGEOUS TOO SHE JUST UOAHFHD LOVE IT. The first time I saw her livery was her Red one from what I remember and yknow what she looked amazing (code for I was near to hyperfixation on her) AND DIOS HER MORE WELL-KNOWN LIVERY DOES DESERVE IT'S ATTENTION CAUSE IT SOMEHOW FEELS LIKE THAT FEELING YOU GET WHEN YOU GO EXTROVERT MODE YKNOW? THAT FEELING ITS AIGHAJHD

AND DID HER LIVERY REALLY *PAINT* HER PERSONALITY WELL (wow such a fun pun-) IN THE STORIES- I also love her relationship with Braunton it reminds me of those times I watched those disney channel movies IN LIKE A GOOD WAY and in a way where it just hits hard at home (aka is relatable since I had a relationship like that once)

Oh and and speaking of dynamics CAN WE JUST LIKE PULL UP AN AD SCREEN AND TALK ABOUT HER RELATIONSHIP WITH PENDENNIS FOR A MINUTE??

When I read the Traintober prompt I legit was so curios on why it was Dotti centered cause I only read about her in Purple Valley and heard about her in some mentions while reading the main series BUT YKNOW WHAT IM NOT COMPLAINING THAT PROMPT WAS MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE

For me it was like "fleshing out" her personality in a way, in a basic sense she's like Rosie from Hazbin Hotel but just more outgoing and forward with people. And with that type of mindset it of course was somewhat annoying to others and it was very known she was OUT FOR LOOOOVVVEEEEE

But yknow what I CANT BLAME HER FOR THAT CAUSE IN THE END IT WAS WORTH THE BATTLE OFUAHDHF

In my eyes she really did turn out alright with the relationship she has with Pendennis, cause with how we know how Pendennis' love life turned out I guessed it would've been great to date someone whos willing to GIVE IT THEIR ALLLLLL for him. Same goes for Dotti on her end except she actually found someone whos geniune with her, not because they're telling her to stop flirting, but because Pendennis really likes her.

BUT YKNOW WHAT BACK TO THE MOMENT THE MYTH TAW VALLEY HERSELF

Taw Valley has this aura to her that feels welcoming that just brightens up your mood cause she just SHE DOESNT GIVE A [REDACTED] MOST OF THE TIME SHE JUST TRYING TO HAVE A GOOD TIME YKNOW SHES YOUR LOCAL EXTROVERT

She really is the rich aunt that would spoil you if she had the chance to. But of course she also knows how to hold herself back when needed, like that time Braunton asked her a genuine favour and she (kinda??) did that favour knowing that this was serious serious hour

I may not relate to her as much as I think I do, but she just feels nice to read about cause she really does have a magnetic personality like if she pulls you into a conversation SHE WILL MAKE YOU THE SPOTLIGHT SHE'LL PULL YOU INTO THE LEAD WITH HER.

Though ngl I think I favorite her as a character cause of the fact I lived in yknow a family-oriented environment where it was like "oh respect them they're your elders! Oh they're still family!" and she just reminds me of my Ninang lots.

All in all Taw Valley would my number one favorite character as of writing this

The basic conclusion of this rant:

If Taw Valley has no fans, I'm dead by then