After recovering from last week, I've collated the full rundown from my #TOCMarathon of 24-25 Sep, travelling on all 30 TOCs listed by the Rail Delivery Group in 36 hrs, 6 mins, 42 sec! TOC 1/30: Eurostar 9007, dep Paris Gare du Nord at 06:06:44 BST, arr London St Pancras 08:31:25 (373219/373220)

After recovering from last week, I've collated the full rundown from my #TOCMarathon of 24-25 Sep, travelling on all 30 TOCs listed by the Rail Delivery Group in 36 hrs, 6 mins, 42 sec! TOC 1/30: Eurostar 9007, dep Paris Gare du Nord at 06:06:44 BST, arr London St Pancras 08:31:25 (373219/373220)

Happy birthday to my favourite method of transport, the means of earning my salary and my unwavering lifelong passion. Have a train.

#Railway200 Well today was the day: the exact 200th anniversary of the first public train service hauled by steam locomotive. Re-enacted in style with the replica Locomotion No1 and rake of wagons crossing the Skerne Bridge in Darlington, recreating the famous scene. A privilege to witness!

After my ridiculous journey on the #TOCMarathon, the splendid sight this morning of the replica of Locomotion No 1, leaving from near to the original starting point of the Stockton & Darlington Railway, marking 200 years since the first locomotive hauled passenger service anywhere in the world!

Good morning from #TOCMarathon for day two! Caledonian Sleeper delivered me safely to Glasgow and I’ve boarded a busy rush hour ScotRail service to Edinburgh ready to pick up some TOCs on the East Coast Main Line. Today could be a bit flexible!

It’s early morning and I’ve just begun my most ambitious challenge yet: to travel on all Train Operating Companies in Great Britain within 33 hours. Is it even possible? We’ll find out! Updates as and when I can make them. First up: Eurostar 9007 from Paris to London! #TOCMarathon #Railway200

What an absolute privilege it was to join the incredible @heatherwaugh.bsky.social on her last freight drive from Coatbridge to Carlisle last night. Thank you so much for a memorable trip and best of luck as you venture to pastures new!

Sky News stretching the old adage "Never wrong for long" to its extreme - this unfortunate typo has currently been left uncorrected for at least 8 hours!

Been busy on new routes since getting back from The Greatest Gathering. While I sift through a ton of photos from last weekend, enjoy this one from Uskmouth this week. One for @elwick70.bsky.social - your loco has wandered far from home!

Ok then, let’s do this! #TheGreatestGathering

The rain on trains falls mainly on the panes…

My ride for the next 2 hours: 170108. #goingsomewhere

In today's episode of unlikely things to see next to each other on a map, I give you the odour of microbial digestion wafting gently up-river to your motorhome barbecue on a hot summer's evening...

DBcargo operated the 1st commercial freight over East West Rail today. 4M60 Didcot-Northampton Gateway and crosses over @hs2ltd.bsky.social @ Calvert eastwards. @teamgreen70020.bsky.social @modernrailways.keypublishing.com @paulbigland.bsky.social @locusinpes.bsky.social @randomrailways.bsky.social

Safe to say I had a very memorable and enjoyable morning: A special tour celebrating 10 years of Hidden London tours by the London Transport Museum, with a wander round the disused Jubilee line platforms at Charing Cross, and a trip on a 96 stock train down the overrun tunnels under the Strand too!

Safe to say I had a very memorable and enjoyable morning: A special tour celebrating 10 years of Hidden London tours by the London Transport Museum, with a wander round the disused Jubilee line platforms at Charing Cross, and a trip on a 96 stock train down the overrun tunnels under the Strand too!

Off in that there London again. The diverts over the Stroud Valley Line (while the direct route to South Wales is closed) seem to be causing a few issues with punctuality! Always enjoy a bit of London Overground action though.

This! Totally this. Every time. 🤣

Tickets are apparently running out fast for the last chance to drive this beaut for yourself - get involved if EMUs are your thing!

Forgot to tag @225group.org.uk in my post from yesterday - but reposting in their honour today, also a bit late to the party for #225day!

Test train out’n’about on the Great Western this evening! 1Q90 is doing runs through the Severn Tunnel and up to Reading. With the pantograph raised on 91117 and a familiar fan noise it’s seen here departing Swindon at the start of its journey, with 43303 & 43301 top & tail.

Despite having a somewhat mathematically pleasing locomotive number, this was today’s thorn-in-the-side. Hopefully a visit from the fitter will persuade it to play nicely from now on!

Some days are just curiously satisfying; today’s little mind-tickle was fuelling and filling sandboxes on four locos and then parking them in a nice evenly-spaced neat line ready for their next duties. It’s the little things!

Spotted “in the wild” at Reading yesterday: train punctuality and cancellation statistics! I remember these shown on posters at stations in the 1990s, but I feel sure the figures then were better than these… A 7.9% cancellation rate (Lizzy Line) and 70.2% punctuality (CrossCountry) is not too great!

One of the many privileges of my job is the wildlife I often see along the way. On a break in unloading at Appleford this week I was treated to a show from these two red kites, dancing together low over the rail sidings. Magnificent! (Note: no audio on clip)

One of the many privileges of my job is the wildlife I often see along the way. On a break in unloading at Appleford this week I was treated to a show from these two red kites, dancing together low over the rail sidings. Magnificent! (Note: no audio on clip)

Happy Friday all! Here’s a clip of a pair of BR Blue Class 37s cruising past Wootton Bassett on Wednesday to keep you entertained…! This was 1Q22 Derby RTC to Bristol Kingsland Road Network Rail test train, looking great with 37402 “Oor Wullie” and 37610 top/tail.

Had a lovely wander round Didcot Railway Centre today as a birthday treat. Been wanting to visit for ages and finally got round to it. Lots of history packed into the 21-acre site. Favourite part was the old Swindon signal control panel which was being run “as live” with simulated train services!

A very Merry Christmas from Westbury station where engineering works begin tonight!

Merry Christmas all! 🎄🏠🎄 🚂🚃🚃🚃💨

Nerdery at its finest! Much fun was had on this rainy Saturday in November. It was very much All Aboard to Northampton!

This was great fun to be a part of last weekend - my little journey from Pilning (9 trains, 7 different operators) just one of many made to help fill the tremendous ticket wall at Northampton station. Check out the coverage from BBC Look East 👇

To almost quote @raves.bsky.social – it's amazing what a lot of train nerdery can accomplish! www.youtube.com/watch?v=TgUK...

What a great day with an even greater bunch of people at Northampton! Had such a great time, thanks to everyone, especially @etwritehome.bsky.social Will tag as many as I can 😂 @nickbadley.com @tubemapper.bsky.social @geofftech.bsky.social @jenonthemove.com @raves.bsky.social

We all congregated at Northampton to add many new tickets!!

Hello to all of you new folks who’ve followed me in the past few days - welcome! Enjoy this clip of 37800 hauling 321301 away for scrapping in Newport, passing Wootton Bassett yesterday on 5Q88.

Welcome to the other side @bradyharan.bsky.social !

After a night spent fixing what will fix the future, it’s time to read all about it… @garethdennis.bsky.social

VIDEO! -> New station at Ashley Down is now open ... youtu.be/5fZr3lIMX78

📺🚆New video!🚆📺 Ashley Down station in North Bristol opened on Saturday - I paid a brief visit on its opening day to see what it's all about... youtu.be/UEIU61YA1LM

12 years ago today, during my month-long stay in Shetland, I took a flight to Fair Isle for the day. How very special it was, and today I'm glad to be reminded of the tranquility, remoteness and historical significance of the island.

First day "flying solo" on the rails - complete! ✅ Stone delivered ✔️ Empty wagons brought back to the yard ✔️ Train put to bed ✔️ All completed safely ✔️ All in all, a pretty successful day I think!

It’s time… 🚄

A true icon of 20th century British product design. An honour to have met him 5 yrs ago on the last public departure from Paddington of the HST - perhaps his most famous design. A doff o'the cap and a raise of a glass to you tonight, Sir Kenneth. www.pentagram.com/news/in-memo...

Swindon. The fading evening light behind the wall of rain cloud, coupled with the fading majesty of the station building, sets a tone. I did find a vintage relic though!

Network Rail’s New Measurement Train - The Flying Banana - departs Westbury for its final leg on 1Q23 to Salisbury this afternoon. 43062 leads, with 43013 bringing up the rear.

Welcome to Bristol Parkway: Now with added Rail Alphabet 2!

So after Sunday night’s excitement, it’s very much back down to earth with a bump today! 🤣