Took a trip back to the ancestral homelands of South Yorkshire last week. A chance to take a tram, see the sights and catch up with family, as well as cart around a model of a Woodhead Electric loco which I later gave to my dad on Father’s Day!

Must be 30 years since trains regularly called at this platform. Today I very conveniently stepped off a train at the former Filton [Junction] station for a crew swap in the pouring rain!

This is sad news indeed, but not entirely unexpected. STV's former Grampian region will now become an "opt-out" segment of the national 18:00 programme, echoing what happened to many of ITV's English regions in 2008.

Eurostar: Together we go further. 💙💛

@showmeasign.online Saw this little sign in Stratford-upon-Avon at the weekend, and wondered how many similar signs still exist…

It’s the little things that make my day. Waiting for booked time at Yate Middle earlier I tried to find the Zero Milepost for the Thornbury branch. Found it hidden under a ton of ivy. One side left uncovered - for now! Should be visible from Yate Platform 2. (All done from position of safety etc.)

When you see a class 91 in platform 11 at York, it’s difficult to resist this shot! I don’t recall seeing a 225 set here for quite a while, so it had to be done! #Class91 #York #IC225 #LNER

A very happy 100th birthday to the Double Yellow signal aspect! Apparently on 21 March 1926 the Southern Railway first introduced 4-aspect colour light signalling between Holborn and Elephant & Castle. (Apologies for the crap picture, it's the only [recent] image of a double-yellow signal I have!)

This morning’s theme was orange and red. There’s definitely something special about being out on the rails watching the sun rise ahead. Makes the 01:30 alarm worth it! (Picture taken from outside cab, while train secured, etc. etc.)

It’s been a Tytherington kind of day, with 66614 for company. The former Thornbury branch line is certainly an interesting drive!

When I was a youngster my piano teacher watched snooker on the TV, and I grew to enjoy it too. Even got a ¼-size table and snazzy waistcoat to play in myself. John Virgo left a great impression with his commentary & TV work so I’m sad to see he has passed. Goodnight JV! www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooke...

Today’s treat was some driving hours on 59005, which once hauled the heaviest and longest freight train in Europe!

I really love looking at old maps. This gem stuck out as I was browsing the area round St Erth. Not only do we have a woodland with a fantastic shiny name, but also a place with what would be a great name for a new brand of cleaning wipes.

10 locomotives safely delivered to Westbury. And a smattering of Cheshire snow came along for the ride too… One of the more unusual drives I’ve done, it must be said!

Looks like we’ve got ourselves a CONVOY!

There’s needless ambiguity… and then there’s this. A cursory glance led to a double-take before I realised this is some sort of animal photography competition. Merry Christmas all!

Ooh! Look ... A new zoomable interactive Rail Map is online! railmap.nationalrail.co.uk#/mapview

For the first time in decades, Cirencester Town station building was open for the public to visit this weekend. A Brunel original from 1841, and neglected for many years, it’s now undergoing some much-needed refurbishment by the new owner. On show was one of the original AC Cars Railbuses from 1959.

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!