Simon Hickman

This Sunday I will mainly be playing Dr Beeching at the Avon Valley Railway’s event marking 60 years since the Doctor swung his ace on many lines, including what’s now the preserved AVR. Come along and laugh at my embarrassment. www.avonvalleyrailway.org/news/the-peo...

Been having a terrific time at work securing planning consents for the conversion of Norman Foster’s seminal Spectrum building in Swindon into a drone factory. It doubled as a Bond villain HQ for A View to a Kill, and the angled beams are modelled on Roger Moore’s eyebrows.

Good. Clutch less so!

First drive on a public road in 21 years. Two icons of engineering!

Lovely stuff. I had a very enjoyable mooch around the Old Town a few years ago; it was full of character if bereft of people. Decent local transport museum too!

More AI model railway nonsense, where recent storms have left the 1:76 scale farmers on my foldup layout in despair

This one is particularly fun

Very much enjoying the application of ChatGPT to my model railway

Lower Park Row, Bristol. Chevy Chase must be playing the Bristol Beacon this evening.

Looks very clean. Beta marine?

Like the idea of an A4 bucket seat. Can’t be many engines that offered their drivers such refinement

Patina! Here’s mine

Let’s see your boat Phil! I’d love a Narrowboat, probably the only thing I’d sell the Mini for to fund

The exterior is still a bit scruffy and multi-toned (“patina”) but you can now eat your dinner out of the engine bay

Got my Mini working for the first time since 2005. Passed my driving test in this car back in 1995.

Having a nice rest on Boxing Day

It’s a pleasingly white Christmas here in France, an hour South of Lyon.

Went looking for one a couple of years ago but there was no sign. Last services early 90s, last maintenance train 2010. All still there, but no chance of reopening when the roads are so good. Upper part of the line to Dunières is a velorail now.

I am at my father in law’s in France and am very excited by this notification

This weekend sees the withdrawal of South Western Railway’s venerable class 455 units after 44 years of service. Unremarkable trains which I have a soft spot for, having used one as our wedding transport back in 2013.

Interesting Richard, does that imply sections were actually built? There are details of the fuller plans in the London Gazette here: www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue...

I don’t think so, I’ve only been involved for a few months and don’t think I’ve met Mike. He may have taken a back seat recently. You should come over Richard, be nice to meet you. There are some interesting talks upcoming - b-i-a-s.org.uk/bias-events/

Excellent morning at the Bristol industrial Archaeology Society’s Xmas social with unusual party game called “guess the objects from Geoff Wallis's garage”.

That’s a line-belt stretcher & a Bulgarian scyther’s corn gathering tool, of course.

Meetings in Keynsham every month!

www.b-i-a-s.org.uk

Had an excellent day out in Swanage with volunteer colleagues from the Avon Valley Railway today. Held a meeting on board a steam train with the chair of the Swanage Railway Trust, to learn about their recent restructuring. Top stuff.

Went for a night walk with my daughter in Ashton Court earlier this week and stumbled into a testing of the lights for the forthcoming illuminate festival. Utterly magical - all the more so ‘cos we were the only ones there.

Had a wander round Cheltenham today and very much enjoyed this bench plaque in Berkeley Place

Pecorama Public Statement: November 2025 It is with great sadness and after much soul-searching we have decided to close Pecorama, our well-loved family attraction, for the 2026 season.

You know that times are tough when Pecorama, the best reason to visit Devon, announces its closure. Hopefully temporary?? www.pecorama.co.uk

Four Forest engines

It looks splendid back home. But I’ll be more excited if the light railway plans develop some traction! cirentrain.org.uk

Lovely stuff Phil. Only pic no 1 can still be recreated, but the Barlow screen is part masked by the modern extension.

Tomorrow morning, Bristol Industrial Archaeology Society are hosting what promises to be a very interesting talk by Rob Pritchard on the history of Bristol's harbour. Keynsham Masonic Hall at 1030, visitors welcome! b-i-a-s.org.uk/bias-events/