Off on an adventure!!!
But not to Glasgow as planned (due to the fire near to Glasgow Central)
Instead we're all off to Edinburgh.
Then heading up the West Highland Line much later than planned as a result.
Lots of replanning needed unfortunately....
How fast does the DeLorean need to go?
Floater Coffee!
I've been transported to the 70's and I'm inside a Berni Inn....
I had a bit of time to kill this afternoon, so popped up to @ldnlutonairport.bsky.social for a trip on the #DART (Direct Air-Rail Transit).
Luton Airport Parkway to Luton Airport in just 3-4 minutes
But I'm worth it.....
Bummer...
One trip into London completed, now it's ECS to Ashford before going in service to Ramsgate via Dover.
Long one today, 10:18hrs, hence the large coffee ☕
This is what ECS was meant for .....
Coffee and completing online cyber security training....
#traincrewlife
Ashington 02/01/2026
Northern 156447
2T22 1107 Ashington - Newcastle
As a nipper, I spent many a summer spotting around Bedlington (staying at my Grandparents), and the occasional visit to the long gone depot at Cambois.
Only freight then,so this was a nice trip down memory lane.
Stick a pot of Gravy in the middle, or a soft boiled egg
Our family's traditional Christmas Eve lunch has been served, and consumed.
Baked Camembert, Bacon and Caramelised Onion star, skillfully prepared by my youngest daughter
A very well maintained city, beautiful buildings, easy to use public transport, and mostly level for walking around. We primarily came for the Christmas Markets, so I feel it was busier than normal, but I would come again.
I've been dragged all around the Christmas Markets of Vienna all day by my ladies, but as I've been a good boy, a trip to Vytopna for dinner was my reward!
It's a tad frosty in the land of the third rail rail this morning.
This is the fireworks show provided by an icy conductor rail when you are the first train of the day along the line.
Still having toilet problems? (The train, not you....)
An obligatory visit is completed, so it's time to head back down south....
It's a statement like that that started a war you know! 😂
Heading north to "Gods Own County".
I think I'll take the one on the left this time....
Making good use of my Cover shift tonight by updating my diary with the new shifts from mid December.
Noted up to January 2027, and yes I know it will probably change next May and December, but the rest days won't change , just the actual shift times.
Nottingham Station - Clifton South ✅
That completes the Nottingham Express Transit system for me.
I utilised the declassified 1st class at the rear, but I don't think it made much difference.
Really needs to be an hourly service again.
I was in Peterborough earlier.
Decided to do Thameslink's longest journey from Peterborough to Horsham
126 miles 64 chains = dumb bum! 😂
In my quest to ✅ off the longest scheduled journey on each rail/metro/tram operator, it was the turn of the Docklands Light Railway.
0816 Bank to Woolwich Arsenal
At 8mi 73ch it's not vast by any means, but it's still the longest, and that's what matters.
Today's longest TOC journey was with Hull Trains.
1A92 0753 Beverley - London Kings Cross
213mi 43ch
With 802303 to Hull, and the 802303+802304 to London
Two journeys each way, Monday - Saturday, one return trip on Sunday's.
Spent the day expiring the Nottingham Express Transit (NET) tram system.
Branches to Phoenix Park, Hucknall and Toton Lane all ticked off.
I'll leave Clifton South for another day.
Hellifield - Clitheroe ✅
Finally managed to clear this stretch of track, available as two round trips from Rochdale to Ribblehead on Saturdays only on the “Yorkshire Dales Explorer”.
This would be so much better as a daily service. A much quicker route From Manchester to the Dales then via Leeds
Couple of wins today.
Glenrothes with Thornton to Thornton South Junction
2K08 0750 Glenrothes with Thornton to Edinburgh (only one service each way on weekdays via Kirkcaldy).
Followed by:-
Thornton North Junction to Leven
Finally got to ride the "Clockwork Orange" Full loop, inner and outer circles on a very busy Sunday in Glasgow. Surely there is a business case for this running beyond 1830 on a Sunday?
