1/ More from our day at the @worthvalley.bsky.social Couldn’t resist jumping off at Oakworth for a short while, before heading to Haworth & up the hill for lunch & a wander. We finished up with a couple of round trips & I had a little peek in the engine.

Today’s enjoyment - @worthvalley.bsky.social - my fave heritage railway & it’s fame lies within its feature in the film “The Railway Children” which I loved as a kid (& still do) I really do love the marvel of British engineering - the steam engine. #KeighleyAndWorthValley #SteamTrain

One is required to stand on one’s head in order to read the information screen on Northern’s class 158 (158850) to Morecambe. Have you got some gremlins in the system #Northern ? #TopsyTurvyInformation #Class158

t is not a nice weather night to be playing trains! Just detached a pair of 350s & brought one up to Soho Depot. Waiting for a taxi back to New St. #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver #WomenInRail

Another shift in the Birmingham metropolis went a little like this: 🚊Birmingham - Lichfield TV - Birmingham - - Short Break - - 🚊Birmingham - Bromsgrove - Lichfield TV - Birmingham - - PNB - - 🚊Birmingham - Rugeley TV - Birmingham And that’s a wrap on the day! #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver

I began with the week with a 13.00 standby shift today. I was hollered after a while to drive a Bromsgrove, then later to drive a Redditch to finish my day. I enjoy driving between Five Ways & Bournville adjacent to the canal, & watching the sun set is beautiful. #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver

A bright & early 4.45am spare for me on Saturday saw me look after the ‘Ferry’ turn until 9am (during which time I attached a pair of 350s together ready to be taken by another driver to Liverpool) and then drive a Four Oaks/Redditch which ended my day. #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver

1/ Friday’s shift was spent driving in the rain… absolutely non-stop. Naturally this does cause some issues with the infrastructure. I began with a B’ham Intl / Rugeley & even though it was only mid-morning I could see the beginnings of flood water. #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver #FemaleTrainDriver

Weds saw me back after 2 days off. I took the ‘Pride’ of the fleet - 730018 - to B’ham Intl & Rugeley. The Chase line was quite ‘mizzly’. I had a quick coffee break, then a trip to Bromsgrove, a short lunch break & finished up with a round trip Bromsgrove/Lichfield. #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver

Sunday saw me drive my first trains under public ownership. Birmingham International/Rugeley TV x2 with a break in the middle & I was due to attach when returning from Rugeley, however I was routed into the bay platform (4c) at New St so no attaching occurred. #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver

Thurs started with a Four Oaks/Redditch/Four Oaks followed by a break and then a Wolves/Walsall. Finally I was due to take a #Class350 to Soho Depot, but when I got there I was promptly sent back to New St with it due to having been one fail & it was needed in service. #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver

Tuesday saw me also begin with a Birmingham International/Rugeley with an added B’ham Intl. A break, then a Four Oaks/Redditch and finishing up with taking a lesser spotted class 350 to Soho Depot. A #Class37 was perched there ready for a move in the morning. #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver

I’m tardy on my posts again! So here we go with a few days catching up! This was last Mondays shift - beginning with a trip to Birmingham International & Rugeley, followed by Redditch and finishing up with a Bromsgrove/Lichfield. An uneventful day. #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver

Captured departing Birmingham New Street at 12.36 bound for Lichfield Trent Valley. Driving 2P29 spinning the wheels of 730047 + 730009. #TrainDriver #WomenInRail

A rather nice Saturday shift allocated to me from ‘Spare’. An 8.26 start for a trip to Rugeley, a decent break & then a round trip Lichfield/Bromsgrove to finish. A pleasant days driving. I’m back on the rails Monday where I move over to afternoon shifts. #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver #WomenInRail

Tinker the cat was largely protesting today because it’s that time of year where she needs to pop to the Vee. Eee. Tee. She always knows but she is very good about going & just lies there for the vet to check her over & give her the booster jab. #CatsOfBlueSky #CatLover #VisitTheVet #NotAHappyCat

Tuesday’s shift should’ve begun with a B’ham Intl through to Rugeley TV. However, a DI with her trainee took the Intl off me & so I started with Rugeley. After a short break I then headed to Bromsgrove. A quick lunch break & my day culminated with a Bromsgrove/Lichfield #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver

I was a spare driver on Monday - then the holler came for me to drive. A Four Oaks/Redditch/Four Oaks and then I was finished for the day - almost an hour early so that was a nice bonus. It was an uneventful day - just the way we like it! #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver #WomenInRail

Saturday’s late shift - finishing at 00.56 was a nicely paced set of driving. Beginning with a Wolverhampton, then a break, followed by a Redditch, another break & back to Redditch, finishing up with a Longbridge through to Four Oaks where the train is stabled #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver #WomenInRail

1/ Friday’s shift was a 9h 22 late shift. Beginning with a Rugeley, followed by another Rugeley & through to Birmingham International. I then had my break and finished up with a run up to Lichfield, down to Longbridge (as the last southbound service of the night).

I wasn’t launched into action on Thurs spare shift for 6hrs! I drove a Wolves returning to Birmingham in the bay platform 4c - not a platform I tend to frequent very often. I was asked if I could stay over & take a train up to Soho depot which I did then I finished #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver

My shift is well underway and I’m a spare driver today - waiting to be launched into action. Shall I answer any questions you have while I’m sitting here? Feel free to pop a question in the comments. #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver #FemaleTrainDriver #WomenInRail

Monday saw me start at 9.48 & a round trip Lichfield/Bromsgrove (only I didn’t make it to Broms) My manager rode with me on the Lich for an assessment as part of my continual competency cycle. After my break I had a trio of ‘W’s’ - Wolves/Walsall/Wolves to finish the day. #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver

I got a call on Saturday asking if I could come in Sunday & I obliged. I was covering work from 2 diagrams. Firstly it was Rugeley/B’ham Intl/Rugeley with a break before a trip to Bromsgrove to finish. #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver

1/ Saturday’s shift was a nice mix of route & traction. Beginning with a round trip Redditch/Four Oaks followed by a break. I then headed over for a drive on the Chase line to Rugeley. It’s quite picturesque driving in the snow. That was all #Class730 work… #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver

1/ Saturday’s shift was a nice mix of route & traction. Beginning with a round trip Redditch/Four Oaks followed by a break. I then headed over for a drive on the Chase line to Rugeley. It’s quite picturesque driving in the snow. That was all #Class730 work… #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver

My first shift of 2026 - a healthy 9h 22! Beginning with a Rugeley, promptly followed by. Rugeley / B’ham Intl. A break then a Lichfield through to Longbridge. Change ends in the reversing sidings & ECS back to Birmingham - arriving 5 mins early - result! #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver

So, as we prepare to welcome in 2026, I wish you all the best for the year. There are 365 opportunities coming, Follow your dreams and take care of yourself and each other. 🥂

After 2hrs of sitting spare, my holler came to allocate work - covering a Wolverhampton depot job. Starting with Four Oaks, a break & then a B’ham Intl through to Walsall & empties back to Wolves taking the train into the Carriage Sidings & stabled it. Taxi back to B’ham. #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver

I’m split week this week and so this is my final shift of this year. And it’s a Spare shift. I’m on duty until 01.15 and waiting for be hollered over the PA and given something to do. It’s not my most favourite kind of shift! #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver #FemaleTrainDriver #womeninrailmalaysia

My nice little Monday shift began with a Wolverhampton followed by a PNB, then a Redditch/Four Oaks/Redditch with empties back to Birmingham. Reasonably uneventful bar some intoxicated youths at Longbridge meaning we didn’t move until they were off the platform. #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver #Class730

I was back in the driving seat yesterday. I was booked to do a trio of Bromsgrove & a Soho. However, I did a swapsy with another driver for the last trip so I went to Redditch & he did my Broms/Soho. #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver

Merry Christmas to you, your family and friends. Hope you have had a lovely day today, and that the festive season has treated you well! Thank you for your follows, likes & interactions throughout the year! I’ll be back in the driving seat on Sunday.

A bit of fun getting home after both our @greateranglia.bsky.social & @lnrailway.bsky.social trains were cancelled this morning! @avantiwestcoast.bsky.social to rescue with the 11.07 EUS-LIV service depositing us at LTV at 12.20 - the Avanti crew were just lovely! #TrainingHomeForChristmas

Baxter’s main Christmas present was a football development training day at the #Spurs Training Centre in Enfield with the clubs coaches. He’s had a super day practising football skills topped off by meeting Scarlett & Solanke. He came away with a bundle of Spurs gear inc. the 3rd kit & a medal.

After whizzing on the Victoria Line Euston - Tottenham Hale we connected onto an @greateranglia service to a short hop to Enfield Lock (first time B’s seen a proper level crossing!) where we’re now in a Premier Inn for the night. Baxter’s excited for tmw! #OffDutyTrainDriver #MumAndSonTime #Enfield

And we’re off… 730222 (+730229) doing the honours of taking us from Lichfield to London. Nice to see the 730/2 on this line. First time I’ve properly been a passenger on one. Got a different view of the high level platform with 730017 waiting to depart for Bromsgrove #OffDutyTrainDriver #Travelling

And that’s a wrap until after Christmas! My B’ham Intl saw me routed into plat 2, I remembered my additional stop at Witton to collect Villa fans but I didn’t make it all the way to Lich Trent Valley due to delay & thus was flipped at Lich City to return almost on time. #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver

Today’s my last shift before Xmas. It’s started well with a round trip on the #CrossCity - Redditch/Lich. Busy train with a combination of shoppers & taking Villa fans to the game. I shall take some home again later too! Next up is B’ham Intl / Rugeley after my break. #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver

Thursdays shift began with a #Walsall, followed by a round trip on #CrossCity Lichfield/Bromsgrove, another Bromsgrove & finished with a B’ham Intl where the #CaledonianSleeper passed through en route to the Highlands. I really do need another trip on this! #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver

It turned out the Blue Pullman was in town having come from Tamworth, turns out it also bought @shellienic.bsky.social along! What a pleasure to meet you! Have some photos of it waiting to leave Scotland's historic capital of Edinburgh 2/3

3hrs in #Edinhurgh meant a late lunch (Haggis, Neeps & Tatties - what else?!), a wee shop for a gift for the kids & then indulging in Scottish Ale, before returning to #EdinburghWaverley where I bumped into @coastwaywill.me - nice to meet you… sadly too short for a proper chat! Next time!

Today is all about the #MidlandPullman A comfortable trip on the best traction ever #HST in style to #Edinburgh I’ve wanted to travel on the ‘Blue Banana’ for ages…. Today is that day! #OffDutyTrainDriver #RailTour #TravelByRail

Back at work… spare driver today but launched early on to drive a Bromsgrove. It was nice to be back driving again. It’s #ChristmasJumper day at work today, so I have donned a festive knit! Due to AL I’m not back at work until Thurs but I’ll be out on the rails on Mon! #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver

I’ve not been at work for 2.5 weeks as I have been on #JuryService in #Stafford - & that’s been why my commute has been there. The last photos I took from #VictoriaPark It’s certainly been an interesting experience, but I’m looking forward to being back to driving trains Tmw! #TrainDriver

Today’s #VictoriaPark #Stafford pics… I had some time to kill so I had a bit more of a wander. Some areas I couldn’t walk due to paths being closed - water level related. The river had risen again by the end of my day here - see pics in comments.

Today’s #Stafford pics. #VictoriaPark when I arrived & as I was about to leave. The River Sow is just about to flood onto the path. I also saw a retro bus this morning - made for a different sight!

Victoria Park, Stafford. Still enjoying it whilst I am temporarily here. I shall miss this view from next week when I return back to the day job! #VictoriaPark #Stafford

Today, I popped up to the Birmingham Donor Centre of @givebloodnhs.bsky.social and donated my 45th ‘pint’ of blood. As always a smooth experience with friendly staff and it only takes around an hour. 🩸 #BloodDonor #GiveBlood #NHS

I popped in for an extra Sunday shift today. Starting with a round trip on the #CrossCity which ran late with sheer amount of football fans. I did another run to #Lichfield before a PNB. Then a taxi to Soho to collect a 730/2 take it to N mew St, attach it to another 730/2…