Every now and then, Exeter gives you one of those unexpected moments that makes you stop in your tracks.
Yesterday evening, I was lucky enough to catch the Sir Nigel Gresley 60007 steam train passing through St Thomas Station — and it instantly transformed an ordinary evening into something memorable.
As the train rolled through the station, you could hear it before you fully saw it. The sound of the engine, the clouds of steam, and the unmistakable presence of a classic locomotive created an atmosphere that felt completely different from the usual rush of modern rail travel.
For a few moments, it genuinely felt like stepping back in time.
What makes moments like this even better is how unexpected they are. Exeter is full of small surprises if you slow down enough to notice them — whether it’s hidden historic buildings, quiet streets at sunset, or, in this case, a legendary steam train making its way through the city.
I managed to capture some video of the train as it passed through St Thomas Station, and it’s definitely one of those experiences that’s much better seen and heard than described.
If you were in Exeter yesterday evening and saw it too, you’ll probably understand exactly why so many people stopped to watch.
About Sir Nigel Gresley 60007
Sir Nigel Gresley is one of the most famous surviving steam locomotives in the UK, originally built in 1937 and named after the celebrated railway engineer who designed many iconic locomotives of the steam era. Seeing it travelling through Exeter is a reminder that pieces of Britain’s railway history are still very much alive.
And somehow, seeing a train like this pass through St Thomas Station makes Exeter feel even more connected to that history.
Did you catch the Sir Nigel Gresley passing through Exeter too? Feel free to share your photos on the Love Exeter Photo Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/LoveExeterUK
or memories in the comments at: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/18Y5aboYV6/