I’m miffed I missed World Book Day apparently. I was going to dress as the Train Driver’s Rulebook 🤔 I’d just need to wear something very heavy, be awkward to move about and keep randomly getting changed every few hours 😇

I met a fascinating chap today who started life on the railway working on these for British Rail! He was very impressed by the cab of my Stadler, particularly the air conditioning and sausage roll holder 🙂

Some idiot (possibly me) threw away my flask and carefully packed the paper cup from Costa in my work bag… I’m blaming these early shifts 🤦‍♂️

Today is my first early so I’m ready to leap into action like a coiled spring… or maybe just flop into action like a failed shock absorber 🤔 Have a great week!

Not many people know that the Class 90 tends to hunt in packs. They use long grass for cover and sneak up on unsuspecting prey. If you see one it’s best not to approach it as there could be more you haven’t seen 🤔

On this day in 1981 something happened 🤔 Unfortunately it happened to a TGV and the plaque was written in French so I couldn’t read it so I can’t tell you what happened just that something happened. You’re welcome! 😊

I panicked for a moment when I got a message saying “there’s a weird orange thing in the sky!” Turns out the sun has just come out for a change, panic over 🙂

Just goes to show how flat Norfolk is, on a clear day you can see Blackpool Tower from just outside Great Yarmouth 😇 I’ll see myself out

I am on a mission! Last time I was in London I found a cafe that made an omelette so fantastical it made me completely forget where I bought it 🤔 Today I have 35 minutes in London to seek out the source of this omelette. Wish me luck guys 😊

I am not an early bird. If anything I’m an eternally optimistic seagull 🤔 Anyway, today is a special day as it’s the day I get to switch off my early alarms as I swap to late shifts 🥳

According to my calendar today is “someone’s” birthday 🤔 If that’s you I’m sorry I didn’t send a card, I don’t know who you are. Have a celebratory steam engine instead 🥳

For Lent this year I will be giving up train… guess I’ll try again next year 🤷‍♂️

Wednesday is almost over which means the weekend is peeking round the corner 🥳 I’m working all weekend so no idea why I’m excited but here we are 🙂

Happy Pancake Day! A day we celebrate by cleaning out our kitchen cupboards 🤔 That might sound random but it’s fairly normal compared to the Easter Bunny!

Last night I met an old friend. The first train I ever drove on the mainline 😊 It might be looking a bit rough around the edges but to my eyes it still is and always will be special 🥰

It’s time to wrap up your tiny shunters, it’s started snowing again! ❄️

I had to do a double take when I looked outside and saw the sun shining! Wherever you are I hope you’re getting some decent weather too. Happy Valentines Day you lovely lot 🙂

Nice to see modern technology being embraced by a heritage railway as they test out Bluetooth coupling here 😂

Last night I found bits of model railway track joiners in my hair. I’m not sure I’m doing this modelling thing quite right 🤔

There’s something so very satisfying about this 🤔 it’s a class 745 being shunted into a siding if anyone’s wondering

I just wanted to dispel the myth that I only ever travel by train and have never experimented with any other modes of transport. I did try a car once. Hated it. Cold and slow. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a train to take out 🙂

Tis the simple things that make me laugh 🤷‍♂️ Landed at our destination and as he walks past my cab my guard, with a wink and a grin, calls out “thanks for the lift Chrissy” 😂

Saw a person collapse earlier today. The speed and number of people who rushed to help this total stranger was truly heart warming. There are good people out there 😊 Have a cracking evening wherever you are 🙂

According to my phone I took this photo in Chelmsford 🤔 Err, okay 🤦‍♂️

I still insist early shifts have no effect on me whatsoever… Though I will admit the apple I thought I packed for lunch before leaving yesterday morning turned out to be an onion 🤦‍♂️

Tomorrow is my day off and not even the power of these 2 would be able to drag me out of bed much before 11 😊

I’ve found one of those pens people use to write on blackboards! I’m off to a pub to cause mayhem. Have a photo of a train to distract you while I go alter some menu boards 😇

No matter how many times I do it, driving a train up off the ground and into the air will always feel odd 🤔 No idea how the crew of the Polar Express do it every year 🤷‍♂️

Yesterday it was my turn to be stand-by driver. So I stood by and watched this beast 😍

Last night was marvellous fun! When the fog is so thick you can’t see the track train drivers flex their muscles and show off their route knowledge. Even in 0 visibility they bring 100s of tons of train to a stop with pinpoint accuracy and keep to a timetable. I love it 🥰

Today I have my favourite route not once but twice! If I get a route learner who wants to join me and is in possession of a bag of sausage rolls this could be my favourite shift of all time! 🚂

If you were hoping to get a seat on the next train out of Wymondham I’ve got some bad news for you 🤔

It’s behind you…

Turns out I don’t have the steadiest of hands so me trying to solder is like a dragon trying to blow out a candle 🔥 I shall I keep trying though! Have a lovely day all

No work for me today so I’ve decided to spend some time on the model railway learning how to solder. So if you see anyone with amazing hair and a smouldering sausage roll it’s probably me 😇

It never occurred to me before but what a pity this didn’t call at platform 007 🤔

As much as I despise the thought of falling out of bed at a painful hour to start an early shift, sometimes it’s worth it to see the beautiful skies 😊

I’m clearly not used to early shifts, a passenger said hello and I wished him a ”good night” 🤔 it was 7am

My mini tour of the top bit of England complete I can announce the following: 1. Doncaster Library has trains inside so is therefore fantastic 🚂 2. Chesterfield is home to a bakery selling giant croissants so is therefore fantastic 🥐 3. Sheffield has many model train shops which is fantastic 🙂

Thinking of setting up a private account showcasing my electric train photos 🤔 If you’re interested in pantograph equipped transport join my OnlyPans today!

I’ll admit it’s been a few years since I last set foot inside a library but when exactly did they start filling up with steam engines?! 😍

I took the platform clock trying to spell the word ‘beef’ as a hint that I should go and eat some beef 🤔 Couldn’t find any of that but I thought pork is similar and that’s in sausage rolls so I had one of them instead 😇

Went to leave for work this morning and noticed the neighbours wheelie bin in the middle of the road. As I approached it the wind blew it down the road so I gave chase shouting “FENTON!” I’d just like to apologise to any of my neighbours I woke 😇

Remember that thing we used to call sunshine? It might be hard to believe but I’m sure we’ll see it again someday 😊

Good morning and good luck to everyone starting back at school/work today after the Christmas break ❄️

My advice for preparing to leave the house this morning? If you can still move your arms you don’t have enough layers on 🥶

New train driving challenge unlocked: driving with a very giggly passenger sat right behind you who’s laugh sounds like a seal 🤦‍♂️

Wishing all of you a very happy, healthy new year filled with many trains! 🥳

For anyone working this Christmas Eve I hope the hours fly by and you’re on your way home before you know it 🙂 Especially anyone working in public facing roles today may you have green signals and dry rails or whatever your industry equivalent is 🎅

It’s very early and I’m already in Ipswich. At least my body is, I’m sure my brain will be along a bit later 🤔 Have a lovely day wherever you find yourself