Shel

I think the announcement is correct now “Alv - church” rather than “ Alver - church” which it was on 323s!

Are you on the Redditch branch?!

after the Lichfield was cancelled & then back into service for the Bromsgrove. The railhead was considerably poor in places & I had a number of slides adjusting my driving appropriately. #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver

What a difference a day makes! Same job as yesterday but it offered the trainee driver an insight into disruption & driving with low adhesion conditions. B’ham Intl/Rugeley & Walsall were good aside from a little slipping. Then disruption hit for the #CrossCity - ended up with a trip to #SohoDepot

Today was the “office hours” job and I quite like it. B’ham Intl/Rugeley followed by a Walsall and finishing up with a Lichfield/Bromsgrove. Was very lovely today to meet Amy @flyingvixen.bsky.social #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver

Catching up with y’day… we welcome October in with the maple leaves as leaf-fall season begins for us. For the next 3 weeks I have a trainee driver with me for their cab experience part of the course. Redditch/Four Oaks started the day, followed by Walsall/Wolves/Walsall. #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver

It is. I think it’s to do with business bookings.

Volunteered to work my Sunday today. This began with a Lichfield/Redditch, a break, then a Wolves/Walsall and finishing off with another Lichfield. No complaints - a good day on the iron road. #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver

Yes. Sunday is the cheapest and Tuesday is the most expensive!

London hotels can be crazy prices. They can in most major cities. Supply & Demand isn’t it? Any event on & those room prices skyrocket.

I use Premier Inns. Especially when travelling with the kids. I find them pretty reasonable most of the time. And you know what you’re getting.

Today, I climbed the #Monument. 311 steps up (& 311 back down too!). Only courtesy of my daughter I didn’t just climb it once but twice!!1244 steps!! The view is worth it. It is said if you lie it down it points to where the Great Fire of London started in 1666. #GreatFireOfLondon #London #History

🤣🤣

London, Baby!

… for the @avfc-official.bsky.social game & I shall pick them up again after! #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver

My last (& longest!) shift of the week. My first Four Oaks was taken by a newly passed out driver on his 1st solo drive. The Redditch was expressed New St to Longbridge due to late running - arriving on time. I dropped a train-full of football fans off….

Groundhog Day! Also an uneventful day, albeit with more restrictive signals all get the greens! Tomorrow is my last shift of the week. #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver

On my way to work I decided to stop off at #Folklore #SuttonColdfieldRailwayStation for a coffee with a cat! 🐈‍⬛ Betty is such a lovely mouser! Couldn’t help but give her a treat or 2! Check them out on Instagram if you’re on there! #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver #CatsOfBlueSky #CoffeeWithACat

A tad late with yesterday’s post! B’ham Intl/Rugeley to start, followed by a Redditch. A break & then a round trip Bromsgrove/Lichfield to finish the day. An uneventful day with a majority of green signals! I have the same shift today! #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver

If there is a significant portion of it that isn’t running, the job is cancelled. Any parts that are still running are made into a special diagram.

Today was spare due to a cancelled job. It was quiet as shifts go. I was hollered to ‘divorce’ a pair of 730/2, then after one left for London, shunt the other down the platform, wait for another 730/2 to arrive & then ‘marry’ them for another driver to take to Soho. #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver

Sunday’s shift, began with a round trip #CrossCity - beautiful sunset this eve. View looking towards Burton with Trent Valley Box in the distance [Not an active cab], a short break & then a round trip Wolves/Walsall to end.
Sadly I killed a kitten that was on my track. #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver

Jury’s out for me. It’s not my favourite livery. I find it a bit too busy. Do love Avanti’s Pride though.

A 9hr shift saw me start with Redditch… a short-formed service had me remembering the 3-car stop boards! 730043 also needed a full shutdown/reset upon arrival. A trio of Ws followed with the ‘Pride’ of the fleet 730018 & lastly a drizzly trip to Lichfield with Brian 🐌!! #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver

A spare shift today, resulted in being asked to take a 730/2 (730213) empty stock through to B’ham Intl where a Bletchley driver was taking it forward to the sidings. It was quite nice to stretch her legs to 100mph! Then Avanti’s “Together We Roll” … rolled in! #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver

After the school run today I decided to pop down to #SuttonColdfield for a coffee & bagel in #Folklore on the station…. Mostly because there is a gorgeous cat in residence called Betty. She helped me with my crossword! #OffDutyTrainDriver #CoffeeWithACat #StationCat

Today’s shift was an “office hours” 9am - 6pm. Beginning with B’ham Intl / Rugeley followed by Walsall & finishing up with a round trip Lichfield/Bromsgrove. Overall a nice day. I’m back on Friday! #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver #WomenInRail

I aim to please! 🥰

Ah yes! I couldn’t possibly leave you & Xen out Rach! How very rude of me!! ☺️ I hope you enjoyed the ride!

I stayed over today upon request from the TCS. Ended up driving a 730/2 (730213) to Wolves where another driver relieved me to take it onwards to Liverpool!
And what a lovely surprise I had on the platform to see @s26phy.bsky.social travelling pass back to Crewe.
#DayInTheLife #TrainDriver