ACETrainsUK
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acetrains.bsky.social
ACETrainsUK
@acetrains.bsky.social
230 followers 200 following 130 posts
An enthusiast of metal tubes on metal rails, railway performance specialist and loves travelling! Also has a YouTube channel dedicated to trains (ACETrainsUK), so do feel free to have a look!
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acetrains.bsky.social
The one thing I will miss about the old T&W stock, the cab views!

Here's Sunderland to St Peter's after dark (sorry about the filthy window!)
November 14, 2025 at 7:10 PM
acetrains.bsky.social
✅️ Ashington

With a marked contrast in weather in the North-East compared to the rest of England, I've now ticked off the reinstated Northumberland Line! Services are well-patronised, even in the middle of the day, but good to see! Build it and they will come...
Photo shows a 2 car Class 158 diesel unit in Northern livery at Ashington station. The train crew are stood on the platform next to the train. There are two empty tracks and a disused platform to the right. The sky is blue with broken clouds.
November 14, 2025 at 2:22 PM
acetrains.bsky.social
Old meets new at Heworth.

Just sampled my first Tyne & Wear Class 555 train and have to say I'm impressed, a real step change in passenger environment!

On another note, I didn't get surrounded by the Tyne & Wear Metro photography police after snapping this, so that's a win I guess! 😅
Photo shows a pair of Tyne and Wear Metro trains at Heworth station. On the left is an original metro train departing, in grey livery. On the right is a new Class 555 metro train arriving, in yellow livery. There is a row of trees above the scene. The sky is cloudy.
November 14, 2025 at 12:18 PM
acetrains.bsky.social
The unusual sight of a Hereford service at Birmingham Snow Hill a few minutes ago, diverted away from its usual route due to ongoing issues at Kings Norton.
Photo shows a West Midlands Railway Class 196 diesel train at Birmingham Snow Hill station. The train is painted in orange and purple livery. The number 113 is painted on the front. There is a platform either side of the train and a multistory car park above the train. The weather is wet, with puddles on the platforms.
November 11, 2025 at 3:34 PM
acetrains.bsky.social
c2c 357319/044 are seen at Leigh-on-Sea, having arrived with 1B18 from Fenchurch Street on Thursday 6th November.
Photo shows a pair of c2c Class 357 electric trains stood at the middle platform of Leigh on sea station. The train is painted in a new variation of the c2c livery, with pink doors and a pink and yellow front. The train is numbered 357 319. There is a platform and track either side of the train, with the train being in the middle of the station. There is a station canopy along the length of the train. The weather is overcast.
November 10, 2025 at 5:49 PM
acetrains.bsky.social
When at Westcliff on Thursday, I couldn't help but notice the somewhat unusual four-aspect bi-di signalling, which both displayed double-yellow aspects. Happy to stand corrected, but there can't be many instances in the UK, other than the c2c lines, where this is a common arrangement?
Photo shows a view down the tracks looking east from Westcliff station. There are two tracks leading into the distance, where they curve to the left. There are two platforms in the foreground with a signal at both ends. Both signals are displaying a double yellow aspect. There is a further signal in the distance for the right hand track which shows a single yellow.
November 8, 2025 at 10:39 AM
acetrains.bsky.social
Track bashing/red-penning is a hobby that can take you anywhere at anytime! In this case, it took me to Osterley and Boston Manor stations close to midnight last night, in order to score the Slow Lines between Acton Town and Northfields in both directions (313 trip 12 and 137 trip 13 in the WTT)!
Photo shows Osterley station at night. There is a Piccadilly Line train in the opposite platform. A station sign with Osterley on it is on the right. There is an art deco canopy along both platforms, with the spaces under these lit by station lights. Photo shows Boston Manor station at night. A Piccadilly Line train is departing away from the camera on the left. There is a signal box at the end of the right hand platform. The scene is lit by station lights.
November 8, 2025 at 8:46 AM
acetrains.bsky.social
Whilst ticking off track in and around London, I've also taken the opportunity to ride a number of Piccadilly Line trains, which are due to be replaced by '24 stock next year.
Photo shows a London Underground Piccadilly line train departing Barons Court station. The train is painted in white, red and blue. There is also a poppy on the front of the train. The destination display reads 311 Cockfosters. There are two island platforms with station canopies. There are houses located above the station, which sits in a cutting.
November 7, 2025 at 2:05 PM
acetrains.bsky.social
Hertford East platform 1 ✅️

The lesser-used of the two platforms, platform 1 is only generally used in the peak hours, but that's now the Hertford East branch completed for track in its entirety.
Photo shows two Class 720 electric trains stood at Hertford East station. The train nearest to the camera is number 122 and the tail lights are lit. The platform to the left is lit by the station lights and has leaves on it. The scene is taken at night time.
November 6, 2025 at 6:19 PM
acetrains.bsky.social
Making an unusual weekday appearance at Stratford, c2c 357325 is seen on a Barking - Liverpool Street working. There's also a rare c2c working to Chadwell Heath timetabled in for this evening, marking an unusual appearance of the class east of Forest Gate!
Photo shows a Class 357 electric multiple unit at Stratford station. The train is painted in c2c plain white livery with the UK flag painted on the second carriage. There are two empty tracks and some shrubs in the foreground. There are tower blocks behind the train.
November 6, 2025 at 4:05 PM
acetrains.bsky.social
Chalkwell, with scenic views across the Thames estuary, along which 357014/328 approach the station with 07:59 Fenchurch Street - Southend Central.
Photo shows the view looking west from Chalkwell station. There are two tracks curving away to the left, with a pair of c2c Class 357 electric units approaching. There is a signal with a double amber aspect in the middle. There are a collection of boats on a river estuary to the left behind the railway. There are overhead electric wires above the tracks.
November 6, 2025 at 9:04 AM
acetrains.bsky.social
Good morning from Southend Central, from where I have a long day ticking off required track around London and the South-East. Having travelled here on the ever-reliable Greater Anglia, I now take a gradual crawl back to London on c2c, taking in the loops at Leigh-on-sea and Laindon.
Photo shows a pair of c2c Class 720 electric units awaiting departure from Southend Victoria. The trains are painted in c2c pink and white livery. The destination display reads London Fenchurch Street. There are overhead electric wires above the tracks. The weather is cloudy and it is before sunrise.
November 6, 2025 at 7:01 AM
acetrains.bsky.social
It never rains, but pours 😢

Hoping everyone is ok in the Shap derailment this morning, as well as those involved in the LNER incident at Huntingdon over the weekend. The Railway Family is needed more now than ever before ❤️
November 3, 2025 at 8:03 AM
acetrains.bsky.social
A rather different track tour, this time completing a comprehensive exploration of the Leighton Buzzard Light Railway. A big thanks to volunteers at the railway for opening it up for us on a non-public day and ensuring as much track was covered as possible!
Photo shows a railway carriage sandwiches between two Simplex diesel shunting locomotives. The locomotives have one person on each, driving. There are passengers inside the carriage. The train is stood on a gravel road crossing. The weather is overcast. Photo shows an armoured shunting locomotive with a single carriage and guards van stood at the headshunt of Page's Park station. The locomotive has a driver and a headlamp lit up. There are several passengers in the carriage. There is a park to the right and the station building behind the train. The weather is moody and overcast. Photo shows a train stood at Platform 1 of Page's Park station. The train is formed of three carriages and a guards van, along with a green diesel shunting locomotive. There is an empty track and platform to the left. There is a railway shed in the distance. There are lots of leaves from an overhanging tree on the ground.
October 18, 2025 at 5:28 PM
acetrains.bsky.social
Fourth HST charter this year for me! However, this one sees a change from the usual 125 Group power cars, in favour of Rail Adventure's instead.

Our route today sees us travel to Glasgow Central before an evening trip around Polmadie Depot.
Photo shows a HST train arriving at Crewe station. The lead power car is painted in Rail Adventure silver and grey and has buffers on the front. There are people on the platform to the right waiting to board. There is a station canopy above the platform. The weather is overcast.
October 11, 2025 at 8:49 AM
acetrains.bsky.social
Had an afternoon foray to test out my new camera. Still getting used to lighting and editing, but not too bad for a first attempt.

In order, we see 68003/004 on 6M63, 37518 on 5Z37, 221129 on 1S49 and 172001/008 on 2V44.

Any advice/tips for improvement are always welcome.
Photo shows a pair of DRS Class 68s on a nuclear flask working at Cheltenham Spa. The locomotives are painted in DRS compass livery and there is a slight diesel haze above them. The number 68003 is painted on the front of the lead locomotive. There is an empty track and platform to the left and trees in the background. The sky is blue with sunshine. Photo shows a Class 37 diesel locomotive pulling a rake of British Rail Mark 1 carriages out of Rowley Regis goods loop. The locomotive and carriages are all painted in West Coast Railways maroon. There is another platform and track to the left of the locomotive. There is a person taking a picture of the locomotive to the left. There are trees overhanging the platforms on both sides. Photo shows a five car Class 221 Voyager diesel train passing through Cam and Dursley station. The locomotive is painted in CrossCountry trains livery. There is a platform to either side of the train with the picture taken from the footbridge above the platforms. The tracks continue straight into the distance. There is a group of trees in the distance and solar panels in the field to the right. The sky is blue with a few clouds and the sun is shining. Photo shows a West Midlands Railway Class 172 diesel train departing Worcester Shrub Hill station. The train is painted in West Midlands Railway gold and purple livery with the number 172008 written on the front. There is a collection of semaphore signals to the left of the train. The one in front is facing downwards with a route indicator showing Hereford. The five behind are all horizontal. The sky is blue with some clouds.
September 30, 2025 at 4:32 PM
acetrains.bsky.social
Heaton Depot ✅️

A rather soggy visit, but enjoyable nonetheless, it was nice to have a couple of hours looking at a range of Northern and ECML classics stabled at various points around the depot.
Photo shows a Class 91 electric locomotive stood in a depot siding. The locomotive is painted in a special LNER livery promoting 200 years of railways in partnership with the National Railway Museum. A rake of Mark 4 carriages are behind the locomotive. The weather is overcast and raining. Photo shows two Northern diesel units side by side inside the main shed at Heaton depot. On the left is Class 150, number 150128, which has a do not move board attached to it. On the right is Class 158, number 158758. There is various depot equipment lying around and people are walking alongside the train on the right. Photo shows a Class 55 Deltic diesel locomotive stood in a depot siding. The locomotive is painted in two tone British Rail green. The headcode box reads 0Z55. There are a couple of modern units to the left in the background. The weather is overcast and wet.
September 20, 2025 at 2:04 PM
acetrains.bsky.social
A selection of 'proper' trains at Derby earlier, with two test trains heading into the Technical Centre and the HST taking me up to the Heaton Depot open day!
Photo shows a Class 37 diesel locomotive stood at Derby station. The locomotive is painted in Colas Rail livery with the number 37057 written on the side. There is a selection of yellow Network Rail mark 2 carriages behind the locomotive. There is a CrossCountry Class 170 to the right of the train in the distance. The weather is overcast. Photo shows a Class 37 diesel locomotive stood at Derby station. The locomotive is painted in plain blue livery with a small British Rail logo on the side. The whole cab end is yellow. There is a selection of yellow Network Rail Mark 2 carriages behind the locomotive. The weather is overcast. Photo shows a HST set stood at Derby station. The lead power car is painted in a plain dark blue livery with a Rail 200 livery on the side. The number 43200 is also painted on the side. There are two EMR liveried Mark 3 carriages behind the power car, with the rest of the train obscured by an EMR Class 222 unit stood to the left of the train. There is a platform canopy on both sides of the scene. The weather is overcast.
September 20, 2025 at 8:58 AM
acetrains.bsky.social
Latest UK Railtour offering has been released, standard class £159 😭 I've been doing railtours since 2011, when tickets were generally no more than £79-£89 in standard. That's a doubling in prices in 14 years, despite inflation up only 48%. Is the viability of the railtour market at risk? 🤔
September 10, 2025 at 9:51 PM
acetrains.bsky.social
Llandudno Junction, where a 20-minute break affords us our first opportunity to see our traction for the day properly. 57303 and 60087 of the GBRf stable have done a sterling job to date!
Photo shows a class 57 diesel locomotive stood at Llandudno Junction station. The locomotive is painted in a dark blue livery with GBRf painted on the side. The number 57303 is painted on the front. There is a rake of Mark 2 and Mark 3 carriages behind the locomotive. There are lots of people walking along the platform to the right of the train. The sky is bright but overcast. Photo shows a Class 60 diesel locomotive stood at Llandudno Junction station. The locomotive is painted in blue and yellow GBRf livery with the numver 60087 painted on the front. There is a group of people on the platform taking photos of the train. An old station footbridge is seen above the tracks in the distance. The sky is bright but overcast.
September 6, 2025 at 3:46 PM
acetrains.bsky.social
My 60th railtour sees a day out to score some rare track, including Alstom's Widnes facility, Ditton - Arpley and Glan Conwy freight sidings! Fair to say the red pen will see a lot of use today!
Photo shows the front cover of a tour brochure. The page reads: "The Industrial Ditat". From Watford Junction, Milton Keynes Central, Northampton, Rugby, Nuneaton, Tamworth Low Level, Stafford and Runcorn to Alstom Widnes Train Care Centre and Glan Conwy freight depot. UK railtours. Saturday 6th September 2025. There is also a photo of a GBRF Class 66 on the front page.
September 6, 2025 at 9:31 AM
acetrains.bsky.social
An unusual visitor at Edinburgh this evening, with Rail Adventure 43467 + 43423 stood at the buffer stops, having just arrived with 0B86 from Glasgow Queen Street, one of numerous route learning runs taking place this week.
Photo shows two HST power cars back to back at the buffer stops at Edinburgh Waverley station. The power cars are painted plain blue with yellow fronts and faded paintwork. There is a Scotrail train to the left and an empty track to the right. There is a glass roof over the whole scene.
September 2, 2025 at 5:45 PM
acetrains.bsky.social
A rather different view of the Forth Bridge, as seen on a private tour this morning. An absolutely incredible once-in-a-lifetime experience!
Photo shows the view from the top of the Forth bridge. The view is facing north along the railway line, with a Scotrail Class 170 train on the tracks. The line is straight in the foreground before curving through North Queensferry station and into a tunnel. There are lots of houses either side of the railway. The weather is sunny. Photo shows a view from the top of the Forth Rail bridge looking south. The bridge stretches in a straight line into the distance, with the cantilever structure rising and falling. There is a rocky isle to the left of the bridge. The other bank of the estuary stretches along the distance, with tall hills in the far distance. The weather is sunny with clouds passing overhead.
September 2, 2025 at 11:44 AM
acetrains.bsky.social
A few hours whiled away in Great Yarmouth with a decent portion of fish and chips and and walk along the seafront. Now to head home via Peterborough, Leicester and the WCML.
Photo shows a HST train stood at Great Yarmouth station platform 2. The lead powercar is painted in Midland Mainline livery with the number 43059 on the side. The carriages are a mix of different liveries with the front one GWR green, the next two British Rail Intercity swallow and the rest EMR white and blue. There are a few people on the platform taking pictures of the train. There is an empty track and platform to the left. The sky is blue with some small clouds and the sun is shining.
August 30, 2025 at 2:33 PM
acetrains.bsky.social
DCR 60029 awaits the signal on the Ely West Curve whilst working 6M89 Middleton Towers - Ravenhead Siding, as seen from our tour train.
Photo shows a freight train stood at a signal. The locomotive is a Class 60 in DCR silver livery. There is a rake of open blue wagons filled with sand behind the locomotive. In the distance are houses and the tower if Ely cathedral, whilst a field is in the foreground. The sky is blue with small clouds and the sun is shining.
August 30, 2025 at 10:12 AM