Knowing Kneasy

[arrowsmithbt]

No: HPFGUIDX 91610

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Geoff Bannister" <gbannister10 at a...> wrote:
> 
> Heading north from Kings Cross, there is Gasworks Tunnel which starts 
> virtually off the platform end and then very shortly Belle Isle 
> tunnel (BTW/OT these tunnels featured in the well-known film "The 
> Ladykillers"), two tunnels at Hadley Wood, one at Potters Bar and two 
> at Welwyn - these bring you to about 20 miles north of Kings Cross. 
> Stoke Tunnel, just south of Grantham about 100 miles north of Kings 
> Cross, is the summit of the line in England and a slightly longer 
> one. There used to be one at Penmanshiel, just over the Scottish 
> border north of Berwick but that sadly collapsed in the 1980s killing 
> some workmen and a new bypass line was built and then there is a 
> tunnel on the approach to Edinburgh Waverley. I think that's the lot 
> as far as Edinburgh.
>

Kneasy:
Doesn't seem to be encouraging on the tunnel front. Have to consider
other alternative sites suitable for dastardly deeds of the locomotive
variety. It's a pity the rail line doesn't cross the Wash - then we could
have the Hogwarts Express doing a repeat version of King John's crown
jewels. They could always organise a Niffler rescue squad.

> Kneasy:
> Mind you, it may be film contamination (spit) but there was
> > a sequence in the CoS  film  on a dodgy-looking viaduct. Hmm.
> 
> Geoff: 
> You just watch what you're saying about that dodgy viaduct. :-)
> 
> It is a worthy edifice to carry the Hogwarts Express and all the 
> great and good(?) who travel on it. It is Glenfinnan Viaduct on the 
> Fort William-Mallaig line. This was the first major railway structure 
> built in reinforced concrete and was built by "Concrete Bob", the 
> nickname of Sir Robert McAlpine who founded the famous UK building 
> firm.

Kneasy:
Bridges and viaducts do offer some hope and history points the way.
Presumably the Hogwarts Express goes north from Edinburgh - across
the Tay Bridge. That's been swept away before, and with a train on it.
I get a warm glow thinking about  Luna being swept out into the North
Sea; if she stays afloat long enough she can check up on the Snorkacks
in Norway. Maybe her cork necklace is destined to be useful.

Glefinnan Viaduct indeed. Pah! A mere bagatelle!
Come to my patch and see what Thomas Telford threw across the Ceirog
Valley.