Location: Camborne, Home of the Steam Locomotive in 1801
Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2009 12:45 am Post subject: A Journey on the Western Region...
Question from English GCSE exam:
Describe a journey by bus/boat/train/plane.
Answer:
The date is 25th May 1950, the time is twenty past ten, and my name is Jack Steward, and I am a proud driver for British Railways, Western Region. Standing in the vast cathedral that is Paddington, I’m booked to drive a beauty; the GWR Castle class, number 4082 ‘Windsor Castle’, Simmer quietly, waiting for the moment. At half past ten, the whistle blows, the flag waves and I start the engine, and the Cornish Riviera Express with it. A wheeze of an ancient world fills the station as the train heaves itself out of the station. My fireman, Bob Hopkins, begins his taxing job, making sure the boiler stalls full and the fire stays hot, otherwise our journey will prematurely end in an undignified manner.
As the speed builds, we notice a goods train on the horizon, slowly plodding it’s way across the country as it has done for mile after mile, quiet and unloved in the background. As the trains creep towards each other, a brief exchange of whistles fills both crews with excitement, myself included. The goods trains passes by, but we thunder on with our journey.
As the train approaches Box Tunnel, I spot a group of young little boys by the lineside, all taking down the name and number of the train as it roars past. As a treat, I grab the whistle chain, as the engine lets out a scream of timeless energy. While the train enters the tunnel, I wonder how many of those little boys will go on to become drivers themselves. 4082 makes a magnificent display as she exits the tunnel in an explosion of sound and steam.
‘Windsor Castle’ makes a fine sight as she passes along the picturesque Dawlish Sea Wall. However, the light work is over as we approach the notorious Devon banks, where the engine will REALLY be tested. Bob’s job is just about to become a whole lot harder. 4082 seems to know it as well; each beat of steam on the cylinders sounds harder. The speed begins to drop, and every turn of the wheels seems to require more effort from everyone involved. The Castle is a sight to behold as she erupts, making Pompeii look like the smoke from a candle. As we reach the top of the summit, a sense of relief is shared between Bob and I. Even the engine seems to know it; before long, the boiler pressure is up to 225psi, and the speed rapidly returns to around 80mph.
Our journey is almost over. As 4082 approaches the penultimate station, the train begins to slow while we approach Penzance. A momentous journey westward is nearly complete, and the engine has given a marvellous performance. The Cornish Riviera Express pulls into Penzance station, and a hard day’s work is finally over. I apply the brakes, and Bob and I leave our stead for a well-earned tea break. A last glimpse back sees ‘Windsor Castle’ simmering contently, remembering the day’s events as she stands, waiting to be coaled and watered. A good job, well done.
_________________ Life is like a box of chocolates, so scoff it all while you can... Any more trouble from you, and it's a short sharp visit from the smack fairy!
Location: Camborne, Home of the Steam Locomotive in 1801
Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2009 11:56 am Post subject:
Thanks Will. Yep, that was THE actual question. To gain higher marks, you often need to think outside the box, for example, if it says describe yourself, make out you are a Slitheen or something. I was overjoyed by that question. I probably would have written more if I could remember more locations along the GWML. _________________ Life is like a box of chocolates, so scoff it all while you can... Any more trouble from you, and it's a short sharp visit from the smack fairy!
Location: Camborne, Home of the Steam Locomotive in 1801
Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2009 12:10 pm Post subject:
Thanks Noakesy. I can't remember a thing about my year 6 SATS. Well, only that it involves a diary, and the paralympics...
If you do get the question, I'll be looking forward to the answer! _________________ Life is like a box of chocolates, so scoff it all while you can... Any more trouble from you, and it's a short sharp visit from the smack fairy!
Location: Camborne, Home of the Steam Locomotive in 1801
Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2009 12:16 pm Post subject:
My favorite GCSE exam was the media exam, it was a controlled test, so we saw the questions three weeks early and only had to remember the answers. And it was all about quiz shows. However, there was also that Maths exam that was so easy, I actually did it backwards... _________________ Life is like a box of chocolates, so scoff it all while you can... Any more trouble from you, and it's a short sharp visit from the smack fairy!
I thought that was a sample question and answer from a book with a real engine crews experiences. Fantastic writing Declan. If I was the examiner you'd get an A* from me. _________________ Get off the line Bobby!
http://s160.photobucket.com/albums/t184/Poliss_album/
My favorite GCSE exam was the media exam, it was a controlled test, so we saw the questions three weeks early and only had to remember the answers. And it was all about quiz shows.
I'm looking forward to my Media exam next year It's an easy subject to do if you have a basic understanding of how it works. _________________ My layout webste;
Location: Camborne, Home of the Steam Locomotive in 1801
Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2009 5:38 pm Post subject:
Will wrote:
I'm looking forward to my Media exam next year It's an easy subject to do if you have a basic understanding of how it works.
It's also an easy subject if you remember the theories. Half of my answers revolved around I-TRAIL (Interactive, Target audience, Representation, Institute and media Langauge). The other half creating a quiz show. _________________ Life is like a box of chocolates, so scoff it all while you can... Any more trouble from you, and it's a short sharp visit from the smack fairy!
Truly brilliant, You'll have to let us know what you get for it now, A* from me _________________ Please visit
www.freewebs.com/stockdaleonsea
Updated Regularly so Please keep checking.
Thanks
Location: Camborne, Home of the Steam Locomotive in 1801
Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2009 5:54 pm Post subject:
I'll let you know the moment I open the envelope. _________________ Life is like a box of chocolates, so scoff it all while you can... Any more trouble from you, and it's a short sharp visit from the smack fairy!
Location: Camborne, Home of the Steam Locomotive in 1801
Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2009 6:00 pm Post subject:
Thanks Joe, that comment has made my day. _________________ Life is like a box of chocolates, so scoff it all while you can... Any more trouble from you, and it's a short sharp visit from the smack fairy!
It's also an easy subject if you remember the theories. Half of my answers revolved around I-TRAIL (Interactive, Target audience, Representation, Institute and media Langauge). The other half creating a quiz show.
Pretty much the same as what we got taught. Except there were just 4 key concepts, Audience, Institution, Language and Representation. That acronym is very good though, i'll bear it in mind! _________________ My layout webste;
Location: Camborne, Home of the Steam Locomotive in 1801
Posted: Thu Aug 27, 2009 10:48 am Post subject:
For anyone who remembers this old thing, I've got my results! For Enlgish, and consequently for this, I got an A.
(Awaits applause...(!)) _________________ Life is like a box of chocolates, so scoff it all while you can... Any more trouble from you, and it's a short sharp visit from the smack fairy!
Location: Peterborough (Almost the site of the NRM, but not)
Posted: Thu Aug 27, 2009 12:10 pm Post subject:
Nice one Declan, well done... My sister got her results as well, she got rather cross when I told mum her results on the phone before she had the chance... hehe...
Well done, and I hope you got all the results you hoped for!
Location: Camborne, Home of the Steam Locomotive in 1801
Posted: Thu Aug 27, 2009 1:42 pm Post subject:
Thanks guys!
Got all passes on my GCSE's, two As, two Bs, a C and an A*. Very happy!
Oh dear! Poliss, you've spotted my deliberate(!) mistake. We all know it should be egnlish... _________________ Life is like a box of chocolates, so scoff it all while you can... Any more trouble from you, and it's a short sharp visit from the smack fairy!
Location: Camborne, Home of the Steam Locomotive in 1801
Posted: Thu Aug 27, 2009 8:23 pm Post subject:
Teleman wrote:
Well done ! must be worth a loco from Mum
'Fraid not, I was only promised fish and chips! Although... _________________ Life is like a box of chocolates, so scoff it all while you can... Any more trouble from you, and it's a short sharp visit from the smack fairy!
Im sure there was a mistake, you asked for some Fish 'nd chips AND a Loco, not Fish 'nd chips FROM the Local sorted. _________________ Please visit
www.freewebs.com/stockdaleonsea
Updated Regularly so Please keep checking.
Thanks
Location: Camborne, Home of the Steam Locomotive in 1801
Posted: Fri Aug 28, 2009 9:53 pm Post subject:
Yeah, that's it!
I think Dad's being a bit too over-enthusiastic about this, he's gone and got me a special certificate off the radio. I'm gonna risk it and ask for some large tender engine or something tomorrow... _________________ Life is like a box of chocolates, so scoff it all while you can... Any more trouble from you, and it's a short sharp visit from the smack fairy!
Well done to both of you wish I was back at school and know what I know now, I would have tried a lot harder, all I tried was my best to leave school, then all I could do was use my muscle instead of my brains???
_________________ mine is a pint of J Smiths Smooth please
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It's an easy subject to do if you have a basic understanding of how it works.
