ABC Junction

Seems there's another wave of X-odus going on. If you're here from #TMRGUK, you're very welcome! I put a little starter pack together for people to follow - enjoy, and @ me if you'd like to be added. As with any community, it will thrive if we all chip in. #BSMRGUK

First trains to join Manchester’s Bee Network by end of 2026 Andy Burnham unveils next step in transport system, allowing contactless travel with fares capped across trains, buses and trams

Ooh - will Dapol be adding this to the liveries available on their 323s? www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...

It's a big day for modellers - Era 12 is here!

Dilemma for modern image modellers is now whether to take the plunge as models start to emerge, or stick at Era 11 and protect your wallet... #TMRGUK #BSMRGUK

Dunno if anyone would be interested in a bit of an oddity, but I recently acquired some original promotional material for Thameslink and the class 700s - now on eBay: www.ebay.co.uk/itm/15751691...

Now, fair enough to an extent: if Revolution didn't feel they were a goer commercially, a higher price tag might be key to making them available. But a full hundred quid? Sorry, no.

🚄 Exclusive Revolution Class 180 Adelante Announcement We're delighted to announce two exclusive versions of the forthcoming Revolution Trains Class 180 Adelante DMU in East Midlands Railway livery - preorder now!

I like Rails, the customer service is excellent... but this is just gouging, sorry. I expressed interest in EMR 180s to Revolution, who opted not to make them. Their regular 180s are £350 to pre-order; Rails's EMR 180s are a full HUNDRED POUNDS more.
railsofsheffield.com/blogs/news/e...

YouTube video by Network Rail One of the most complex switches and crossings renewals on the West Coast Main Line in years

It's 2025. Why the hell is Network Rail putting 480p standard definition videos on the Internet?? youtu.be/KGU1y47nT1Q?...

Good grief, you were right!

YouTube video by Accurascale UK Accurascale - Brand new ‘OO’ gauge Diesel announcement

New Accurascale loco needs to be a 43, surely? So many people making 47s, but nobody's snatched Hornby's lunch out of their hands on the HSTs? Baffled me for ages. Mk3 coaches will surely follow if they do it. youtu.be/sqvRoY6ACMo?...

I mean, you'd hope not. Though my wallet would probably be grateful.

YouTube video by Accurascale UK Accurascale - Brand new ‘OO’ gauge Diesel announcement

New Accurascale loco needs to be a 43, surely? So many people making 47s, but nobody's snatched Hornby's lunch out of their hands on the HSTs? Baffled me for ages. Mk3 coaches will surely follow if they do it. youtu.be/sqvRoY6ACMo?...

I love Thunderbirds and this looks really cool, but... how do you know how big to make a scale model of something that never existed in real life?? Particularly when the original shows weren't super-consistent about scale / relative sizes...

More EMUs! Lovely to see, but the choices from most manufacturers do seem a bit... un-obvious (Electrostars aside). I'm all in favour of it though - this hobby isn't dying, it's reaching a crescendo in terms of the range and quality of models available.

Slightly gutted to find my onward train from Peterborough was booked to be an IC225 but has been swapped out for an Azuma! Bugger.

Still, my first Azuma experience at long last... Well, never mind.

An LNER Azuma heading north through Sandy, away from the camera, in low golden sunlight.

An LNER Azuma heading north through Sandy, towards the camera, in low golden sunlight.

The leading class 91 locomotive (in RAF Lest We Forget livery) of an LNER IC225 set heading north through Sandy in low golden sunlight.

The trailing DVT of an LNER IC225 set heading north through Sandy, away from the camera, in low golden sunlight.

Deliberately left myself with a slightly long wait at Sandy, and it turned out to be gorgeous autumn sunlight.

A good tip is a good tip. #tmrguk #BSMRGUK

Scene on my layout: a class 87 in Intercity Executive livery leads a train out of the tunnel; a rake of coal hoppers is departing the scene to the right; trees with yellow and orange leaves have been added to the scenery.

Decision made: this layout is set in autumn.

(Red dots are where catenary masts will go.)

#BSMRGUK #TMRGUK

GETS done for another year. Good trade stalls (though surprised not to see Rails!), maybe lacking any wow-factor layouts. Plenty of good ones, of course.

A dish of Tesco's breakfast hash: mini hash browns, posh baked beans and a fried egg. Also a latte in cup and saucer.

Pre-GETS breakfast. (Tesco café, Fenny Stratford, if you ever want a food alternative near the show.)

Thanks - I'll pop along :)

Will you have the same discounts at GETS this weekend?

Platform 2 of Pickering station, gloomy under the station roof, with relief provided by warm light from the train and platform lighting.

Currently on the last northbound train of the day at the NYMR gala, with literally about two other people. Baffles me why after-dark running isn't more popular - it's so atmospheric! (I know the SVR do it - sampled it last year and it was great.)

Not about the event, no. But a web search for LNER A4 and its number (clearly visible in the photo) will throw up plenty about the locomotive, I'm sure.

One of many interesting details in this is the image of the A4 at Alexandra Palace - remarkable to think of such a big engine being run up that tiny branch line!

Train now running 13 down. Hoping we tip past the magic 15 now so I can at least claw some money back.

Will be interested to see how GWR's customer services handle this. Meals are charged separately, so I've not technically paid for anything I've not got (although I only booked 1st class to be sure of a meal). A goodwill gesture would be in order... Let's see!

A very thin bag of ready salted crisps, a plastic-wrapped piece of cake, and a cup of coffee.

So this is my Pullman dining experience. Meals cancelled because of an earlier trespass incident that stopped the staff reaching Paddington apparently. Got an email an hour ago but didn't pick it up until I was actually on the train. Honestly, fuming.

A very thin bag of ready salted crisps, a plastic-wrapped piece of cake, and a cup of coffee.

So this is my Pullman dining experience. Meals cancelled because of an earlier trespass incident that stopped the staff reaching Paddington apparently. Got an email an hour ago but didn't pick it up until I was actually on the train. Honestly, fuming.

I always do a boring tweet about GETS being a landmark in the year, but I do always look forward to it. Fun bit of the autumn starts now and runs to GETS, via a couple of trips away, a steam gala, the local beer festival, and some Parkrun tourism. Bring it on! bsky.app/profile/keym...

A part-drunk pint of beer, in my hand, in the foreground; the arched trains he'd of Paddington station in the background.

My (late) summer holiday starts with a pint at Paddington! Will be sampling the Pullman dining experience once I get underway...