Just to let you know that we will be getting some of our latest Eurostar covers signed!!
The covers carried on the last Eurostar from Paris to London Waterloo feature an illustration of Eurostar, based on a painting by renowned railway artist Terence Cuneo, so we have had some of the covers signed by his daughter, Carole Cuneo (code: R31S £19.95).
The autographs on our other covers are Tony and Cath Buckingham. They have great Eurostar credentials! They carried covers on Eurostar right from the very first train! Cath designed the covers and Tony created them. Both are signing to raise funds for ChildLine this Christmas.
The covers carried from St Pancras to Brussels on the 14th of November show a view of the train, giving you some idea of the length (and they are long, take my word for it!). Cath carried these covers and is signing them (code: R32S £19.95). She was on the first ever Eurostar to Paris and the first ever high speed train to Paris. She also was Head of Design for all the first Eurostar covers at Benham and, of course, the designer of all our 2007 Eurostar covers as well.
The final additions to our trio of trains are the covers that Tony carried from St Pancras to Paris, also on the 14th of November. These also feature another illustration that gives some idea of the length of these trains, but focus mainly on the cab in this case. Tony carried these covers and will be signing some (code: R33S £19.95). Tony was on the first Eurostar to Paris, the first high speed train to Paris and the first shareholders’ shuttle. He also drove the first car on the first public shuttle. If that is not enough, of course, Tony is also the creator of all the first Eurostar covers at Benham and here.
On a lighter note, I’m looking for Rail-related jokes (ones that I case use, please) for future letters. Steam trains, modern traction, I don’t mind. I know that rail enthusiasts have a sense of humour – there are certainly occasions when we need them!
Best wishes,
Sarah
PS My account of the day is now on the website - I'll add the photos as soon as I can!
Wednesday, 21 November 2007
Wednesday, 14 November 2007
Yesterday I met my Waterloo..... train
Just a quick message as the phones are going mental here today!
Yesterday was a very long day - I left my home at 6.45am but got to Waterloo in plenty of time to check in for my trip to Paris. I can say that all of the covers for yesterday's historic journey were all stamped and postmarked (in my presence - I was even sticking some of the stamps on!).
We had been worried that the Eurostar services might be affected by the imminent French strikes, but I was assured that they wouldn't be, and this proved to be the case. There was a good atmosphere on the return journey, and one of the Train Managers invited us all to the buffet car for a complimentary glass of wine, to mark the occasion. By the time I got there for my glass, the small buffet car was packed!
The train arrived a few minutes ahead of schedule, and there was a jazz trio playing for us when we arrived! I took a few photos, which will appear in the account of the day (I'll write it up when I've got more time), and finally got home just before 11.00pm.
Our Chairman has the covers at present but, as he's on today's inaugural journey from St. Pancras to Paris, he'll bring all of the covers in tomorrow, where they'll be individually numbered, and certificates printed.
I'm still feeling exhausted, but in the next day or so, when the phones have calmed down a bit, I'll get my full account written up and added to the site (a printed copy will also be sent out with the covers).
Sarah
Yesterday was a very long day - I left my home at 6.45am but got to Waterloo in plenty of time to check in for my trip to Paris. I can say that all of the covers for yesterday's historic journey were all stamped and postmarked (in my presence - I was even sticking some of the stamps on!).
We had been worried that the Eurostar services might be affected by the imminent French strikes, but I was assured that they wouldn't be, and this proved to be the case. There was a good atmosphere on the return journey, and one of the Train Managers invited us all to the buffet car for a complimentary glass of wine, to mark the occasion. By the time I got there for my glass, the small buffet car was packed!
The train arrived a few minutes ahead of schedule, and there was a jazz trio playing for us when we arrived! I took a few photos, which will appear in the account of the day (I'll write it up when I've got more time), and finally got home just before 11.00pm.
Our Chairman has the covers at present but, as he's on today's inaugural journey from St. Pancras to Paris, he'll bring all of the covers in tomorrow, where they'll be individually numbered, and certificates printed.
I'm still feeling exhausted, but in the next day or so, when the phones have calmed down a bit, I'll get my full account written up and added to the site (a printed copy will also be sent out with the covers).
Sarah
Monday, 5 November 2007
Meeting my Waterloo.....train (counting the days!!)
Not long to go before I travel to Paris to pick up the covers and carry them back on the last train to Waterloo - and I can't wait!!!!!
I know that in my last entry, I promised to write one of my usual chatty letters but having realised what time I need to get up that day, and what time I'll get home, there probably won't be much about the journey itself. Aside from the fact that it'll be dark before I start my return journey, I'll probably be asleep for much of it (I'll need to get up very early to catch 7.00am train to London, to give me plenty of time to check in, and look to get home between 10.30 - 11.00pm!!) All in all, a very long day.
I will try to include as much as I can about Paris, and any interesting things that happen when I travel around Paris, to pick up the covers. I'll also take my camera (I never go abroad without it) so I'll include a few photos of Paris, and try to get some good pictures of the Eurostar. I can't guarantee good quality though - I tried to get a picture of a Eurostar as it left the Gare du Nord, back in April but I ended up with a grey, white & yellow blur. I haven't quite mastered the art of photographing moving trains, but I'm working on it. Aside from getting a decent photo for you, I'd like one for my own collection!
We will also try to get some of the covers signed - but we can't promise anything. I'm told that these won't be driver signed - as the correct term is PILOT. You learn something new every day!
A bientôt,
Sarah
I know that in my last entry, I promised to write one of my usual chatty letters but having realised what time I need to get up that day, and what time I'll get home, there probably won't be much about the journey itself. Aside from the fact that it'll be dark before I start my return journey, I'll probably be asleep for much of it (I'll need to get up very early to catch 7.00am train to London, to give me plenty of time to check in, and look to get home between 10.30 - 11.00pm!!) All in all, a very long day.
I will try to include as much as I can about Paris, and any interesting things that happen when I travel around Paris, to pick up the covers. I'll also take my camera (I never go abroad without it) so I'll include a few photos of Paris, and try to get some good pictures of the Eurostar. I can't guarantee good quality though - I tried to get a picture of a Eurostar as it left the Gare du Nord, back in April but I ended up with a grey, white & yellow blur. I haven't quite mastered the art of photographing moving trains, but I'm working on it. Aside from getting a decent photo for you, I'd like one for my own collection!
We will also try to get some of the covers signed - but we can't promise anything. I'm told that these won't be driver signed - as the correct term is PILOT. You learn something new every day!
A bientôt,
Sarah
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