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MEET someone who just cannot resist a train journey - Herman, leader of the Hermits. He usually makes for the nearest railway station, often accompanied by two fellow Hermits, when the group's van sets off for another town. "I like to sleep on journeys," explained Herman. "I'm afraid I just can't get comfy in our van or a car. It's all the steering around bends and braking, I suppose. "But it's a different matter when I'm on a train. I start to read a book on settling down in the compartment and seconds later I've dropped off. The next thing I know one of the Hermits is nudging me to say we've arrived at our destination." Seventeen-year-old Herman believes his fascination for railways stems from his days as a schoolboy. "I used to be mad on train-spotting," he recalled. "I used to go to Crewe, London, everywhere. All my pocket money was spent on railway tickets to take me train-spotting to different places. "Sometimes I waited until mum and dad had gone off to sleep and then crept out of the house at two in the morning to get a train to Glasgow with a lad from across the road. "When Mum and Dad got up next morning, they wouldn't be surprised at not finding me in my room, because I often used to get up and go out in the morning before they got up." Herman welcomes the diesels for faster, more comfortable travelling, but the sight of one of the old steam engines holds a lot of nostalgia for him. "It used to be great seeing all the 'Jubs' and 'Brits'," he exclaimed. You know, Jubilee Class and Britannia Class trains. They had names like 'Silver Jubilee,' 'Britannia' and 'Shooting Star.' "I don't think the diesels are anywhere near as interesting. They all look the same. It's almost like having cars on railway lines. But I think the British Railways sleeper compartments and restaurant cars are great." |
 Herman's a guy who believes in keeping warm, as you can see! The cold weather and a touch of the 'flu were enough for him - he promptly bought the biggest sweater he could lay his hands on. |