The train crash hasn’t deterred me about trains in future as it might have done most human beings with any sense of foreboding, but surely now, my sense of adventure is heightened, especially after the 12th train crash I’d had some involvement in. I suppose I could’ve been called something of a jinx, dunno, but when one person is cited in major involvement in TWELVE train crashes, questions are often and very likely to be asked; dilemma’s often posed, but not by me. After the first crash, I steeled my resolve. Myself. There were no injuries fortunately, not as such, just wounded pride on the face of it I guess and denial of that fear factor. But I remember thinking to myself as the carriage rolled, “don’t ignite, please don’t ignite”. There’s no real way back after a fire of any magnitude but one of that involving electricity and hi-grade fuel, a full tank too, well, you know…. It wasn’t as if I’d lost control, not exactly in any case; and the carriages were empty. The coal truck was chocka but amazingly, in the first crash at least, it stayed together. A few windows were broken, shards of glass and plastic ejected into the surrounding scenery just a short distance from a tunnel. Heaven forbid, as I imagined what could have happened if the derailment had occurred under the tunnel! And speed WAS a factor. I now believe we were actually travelling too fast given the gauge of rail. But, as I said, I was undeterred. In only a few days, myself and another train became acquainted. Survival was the key and my nerve had survived so much so that I am able to use another train, even, as I already said, after the twelfth train crash I had the misfortune to be involved in. Being superstitious, (13 could be a very unlucky forecast; I decided to leave the trains alone for now, you know, just in case. But my new pursuit is as dangerous really, if not more. I’ve already written off 10 racing cars and it’s still Monday, dunno, maybe I should stick to Mario Bros and Nintendo! © tcmoon 2011 (2006)