Shel

Today’s #VictoriaPark #Stafford pics… I had some time to kill so I had a bit more of a wander. Some areas I couldn’t walk due to paths being closed - water level related.
The river had risen again by the end of my day here - see pics in comments.

Today’s #Stafford pics. #VictoriaPark when I arrived & as I was about to leave. The River Sow is just about to flood onto the path.
I also saw a retro bus this morning - made for a different sight!

Victoria Park, Stafford. Still enjoying it whilst I am temporarily here. I shall miss this view from next week when I return back to the day job! #VictoriaPark #Stafford

Today, I popped up to the Birmingham Donor Centre of @givebloodnhs.bsky.social and donated my 45th ‘pint’ of blood. As always a smooth experience with friendly staff and it only takes around an hour. 🩸
#BloodDonor #GiveBlood #NHS

& drive then to B’ham Intl where I had to split then & stable for the night. Spot the problem??

I popped in for an extra Sunday shift today. Starting with a round trip on the #CrossCity which ran late with sheer amount of football fans. I did another run to #Lichfield before a PNB. Then a taxi to Soho to collect a 730/2 take it to N mew St, attach it to another 730/2…

It would have been rude not to catch another ‘proper train’ again… Off to #Shrewsbury we did go!
#OffDutyTrainDriver #DayTrip #RailTrip #DayOnTheRails

Least you get to drive DVT & 67s! I need to do this again but preferably when the catering is available! Next time though, leave the trees alone eh? 🤣

I figured something amiss when I felt the rapid brakes. But always better to be safe than sorry. Were you driving from CDF? You’ll have seen me take a pic of the DVT if so!

Croeso y Cymru! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿
After a short 20 mins at #Cardiff our onward train pulled in - it was the one we were hoping for! Now chilling out in the comfy seats for our journey to #Manchester
#OffDutyTrainDriver #DayTrip #RailTrip #ProperTrain

Good Morning! Following our railtour sadly being cancelled for today, my friend & I found ourselves needing to make alternative plans. Currently onboard an XC 170 heading for #Cardiff - let’s see how our day pans out…. #OffDutyTrainDriver #OffDutyGuard #DayOut

The start of my temporary commute to #Stafford. The red hazy mist over the spires of @lichfieldcathedral.bsky.social and the sun just rising in my local park. Followed by a very frosty but sunny #VictoriaPark

I am a bit of a sucker for sunrises & sunsets… especially when combined with water.
#Sunrise #Environment #GoodMorning

Saturdays shift began with a Wolves, followed by a coffee break then 2 trips to Redditch - absolute pea soup in places - some braking areas were educated guesses. Following my break I finished up with a Longbridge & Four Oaks - stabling the unit for the night. #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver

Apologies for yesterday’s delayed post, I went to straight to bed when I got in!
I had a spare shift which was a relatively quiet one. I did have two trips up to Soho to fetch units off. There was a guest engine perched up there too! Wouldn’t mind a cab ride in a 37! #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver

It went well thank you ☺️

G’Morning! Happy Sabbath day! I’ve prepped 730023 & dropped her on to Soho Depot. I’ve got my own 6 car to take off (730001/018) shortly where I’ll do 3 trips to Bromsgrove spinning her wheels! It’s a nice sunny & mild morning, I’ve got my coffee…. let’s crack on! #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver

Thank you

I’m back after AL week & LWE off. I had the 9-6 job - beginning with B’ham Intl/Rugeley (very much in “Brian’s” company!), followed by Walsall & a Cross City round trip where some kids activated an egress & thus I got an emergency brake & alarm! Thus delaying the train. #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver

It has to be done!

Yesterday I found myself back on the coast for a short while. And yes I had a little paddle in the sea. In November. Crazy how mild the weather is for a “ber” month. #OffDutyTrainDriver #Coast #Dawlish #Devon

Thank you. Hope you had a good weekend. My Sunday was good. Remembrance Parade & Church service and then I worked a standby shift as I volunteered my Sunday.

It really is

As the time to head home has come, I decided to take a little walk to the River Exe this morning for some fresh air & leg stretch. A sunny & warm Exeter morning. I’m always sad to leave but I’ll be back! #OffDutyTrainDriver #Exeter #Devon #TrainTravel

Exeter St Davids station by night is nicely illuminated. Red Cow level crossing with its attendants can be seen just in front of the platform. A cl800 GWR can be seen departing for Paddington. #ExeterStDavids #Exeter #Railway

/2 I then popped over to the #ExeterBrewery Tap Room to imbibe some of their ale. Very nice too!

/1 Yesterday, I went for lunch at one of my fave spots - The Anchor at #CockwoodHarbour - it’s a 20 min walk from Starcross. Despite the inclement weather I sat outside mostly but when the rain became Biblical I retreated inside to a cosy snug. The food & beer were excellent. #OffDutyTrainDriver

I head home Tmw sadly. Only a short break.

Yes the rain is rather Biblical! I need to wait for an appropriate cessation to walk back to Starcross!