Train Journey to Mark 14 Stages of the Cross

By Charles Boyd, Christian Today Reporter Saturday, March 28, 2009

LONDON – This Easter, the town of Tywyn in Wales will play host to a train journey that will in both the physical and spiritual sense mark the 14 stages of the cross.

On the evening of Good Friday, the Talyllyn Railway will run a round-trip with 14 stops, with each train station chosen to mark one of the 14 stations of the cross depicting the final hours of Jesus' life before the crucifixion, as reported by Church Times.

The journey is the brainchild of Ian Evans, a volunteer fireman on the railway and a church reader. The train ride is being run along with Tywyn Churches Together.

The journey begins in front of a cross that was given to the Narrow Gauge Railway Museum on Wharf Station by the Rev. Wilbert Awdry.

At each of the 14 stations, train riders will take part in prayer and meditation led by Evans and the Bishop of Bangor, the Rt. Rev. Andrew John.

Each station has been chosen to symbolize one of the stations of the cross. The balcony of the museum at the first station is meant to represent the Roman palace from which Pilate spoke to the crowds who demanded Jesus' execution.

The second station will feature a hoist for heavy lifting, symbolic of Jesus having to take up his cross. At the station of Dolgoch the train engine will be watered, to remind people of the incident where a woman wiped the sweat off the face of Jesus. Towards the end of the journey the train will go over the longest narrow-gauge platform in Europe at Abergynolwyn, symbolic of the open arms of Jesus stretched out in forgiveness.

The Bishop of Bangor told Church Times, "The buzz of our own service will not be different from the activity of that first Good Friday. I am delighted to be present."

The Rev. Nigel Adams, Area Dean of Ystumaner, who will act as guard on the train, said the experience would be "wonderful."