Andy Bowes-Roden
@andyroden.bsky.social
Husband and dad first and foremost. Also Deputy Editor of Modern Railways, sub-editor of Hornby Magazine, general railway hack, author and director of Tavistock Okehampton Reopening Scheme. All views my own, natch. Cornwall, UK
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... - the SW economy could be looking at a £27m/day hit to its economy with the loss of the coastal railway. It’s time to revisit the TORS proposals to reopen the #NorthernRoute from plymouth to Exeter via Tavistock - generated by genuine #railway experts.
Storm Ingrid damage forces closure of Devon railway line
The Dawlish railway line is closed
www.bbc.co.uk
January 25, 2026 at 10:09 AM
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... - the SW economy could be looking at a £27m/day hit to its economy with the loss of the coastal railway. It’s time to revisit the TORS proposals to reopen the #NorthernRoute from plymouth to Exeter via Tavistock - generated by genuine #railway experts.
I’ve subbed Roger Ford’s latest Informed Sources for the next issue of @modernrailways.keypublishing.com and he’s on fire. If you’ve an interest in railways, you’re really not going to miss the February issue!
January 12, 2026 at 7:00 PM
I’ve subbed Roger Ford’s latest Informed Sources for the next issue of @modernrailways.keypublishing.com and he’s on fire. If you’ve an interest in railways, you’re really not going to miss the February issue!
Editorial Assistant Woof is opting for comfort tonight. If she does this tomorrow, she’s doing the writing and subbing.
January 11, 2026 at 5:36 PM
Editorial Assistant Woof is opting for comfort tonight. If she does this tomorrow, she’s doing the writing and subbing.
Editorial Assistant Woof and I are making a conscious decision to post much more on here than the other place. So expect trains, Cornwall and dog treats posts from now on.
January 11, 2026 at 5:09 PM
Editorial Assistant Woof and I are making a conscious decision to post much more on here than the other place. So expect trains, Cornwall and dog treats posts from now on.
#Stormgoretti was the worst I’ve known in 21 years in #Cornwall. Huge thanks to the power, water, telecoms, highways and many other teams for working so bloody hard to get things back to normal. A hell of an achievement given the damage caused. We’re very grateful.
January 11, 2026 at 5:03 PM
#Stormgoretti was the worst I’ve known in 21 years in #Cornwall. Huge thanks to the power, water, telecoms, highways and many other teams for working so bloody hard to get things back to normal. A hell of an achievement given the damage caused. We’re very grateful.
This whole Avanti West Coast/ORR surreality exposes why having a single body responsible for the timetable is so important. If the train’s a big money maker and really important, it goes first on the graph and everything else works around it. It is utterly bonkers.
December 1, 2025 at 5:54 PM
This whole Avanti West Coast/ORR surreality exposes why having a single body responsible for the timetable is so important. If the train’s a big money maker and really important, it goes first on the graph and everything else works around it. It is utterly bonkers.
Put a ham in the oven to roast at lunchtime. Editorial Assistant Woof is refusing to leave a radius of more than two metres from the cooker. Clever woof!
December 1, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Put a ham in the oven to roast at lunchtime. Editorial Assistant Woof is refusing to leave a radius of more than two metres from the cooker. Clever woof!
Reposted by Andy Bowes-Roden
In her latest The Human Factor column, Tracey Barber highlights prejudice on the railway - and says power MUST be taken away from those who preach it. www.modernrailways.com/article/huma...
The Human Factor: We must take power away from the
In her latest column looking at the human side of the railway, TRACEY BARBER says racism, homophobia and other prejudice must be challenged - and eliminated.
www.modernrailways.com
September 17, 2025 at 11:46 AM
In her latest The Human Factor column, Tracey Barber highlights prejudice on the railway - and says power MUST be taken away from those who preach it. www.modernrailways.com/article/huma...
September 7, 2025 at 12:28 PM
#SaveOurRailway #Dawlish
PETITION NOW LIVE!
Our petition calling on the Government to reinstate the Phase 5 cliff works of the South West Rail Resilience Programme is now live here: chng.it/MnChtg2zfG
Please sign the petition and share the link to help us make the strongest case possible.
PETITION NOW LIVE!
Our petition calling on the Government to reinstate the Phase 5 cliff works of the South West Rail Resilience Programme is now live here: chng.it/MnChtg2zfG
Please sign the petition and share the link to help us make the strongest case possible.
This campaign needs you now
Unpause Phase 5 of South West Rail Resilience Programme
chng.it
August 1, 2025 at 10:56 AM
#SaveOurRailway #Dawlish
PETITION NOW LIVE!
Our petition calling on the Government to reinstate the Phase 5 cliff works of the South West Rail Resilience Programme is now live here: chng.it/MnChtg2zfG
Please sign the petition and share the link to help us make the strongest case possible.
PETITION NOW LIVE!
Our petition calling on the Government to reinstate the Phase 5 cliff works of the South West Rail Resilience Programme is now live here: chng.it/MnChtg2zfG
Please sign the petition and share the link to help us make the strongest case possible.
20 years after Save Our Sleeper, it’s time for the South West to dust off its campaigning hat and present an irresistible case for the government to rethink its decision to pause the resilience works at #Dawlish. I’ll be setting up a petition before work tomorrow, but in the meantime…
July 13, 2025 at 12:23 PM
20 years after Save Our Sleeper, it’s time for the South West to dust off its campaigning hat and present an irresistible case for the government to rethink its decision to pause the resilience works at #Dawlish. I’ll be setting up a petition before work tomorrow, but in the meantime…
Just me and eldest in the house tonight. Eldest will likely go upstairs after din meaning I can watch old episodes of top gear guilt free with curry and chips.
April 28, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Just me and eldest in the house tonight. Eldest will likely go upstairs after din meaning I can watch old episodes of top gear guilt free with curry and chips.
A few from this morning’s walk with Assistant Woof. Looks like it’s going to be gorgeous!
April 28, 2025 at 6:55 AM
A few from this morning’s walk with Assistant Woof. Looks like it’s going to be gorgeous!
I was watching Heidi Alexander make her debut appearance at #transportcommittee today. Some interesting answers - but am I alone in perceiving a lukewarm attitude to freight in her responses? Was noticeable how quickly she shifted them to passengers. Freight sector is concerned about GBR.
April 23, 2025 at 12:56 PM
I was watching Heidi Alexander make her debut appearance at #transportcommittee today. Some interesting answers - but am I alone in perceiving a lukewarm attitude to freight in her responses? Was noticeable how quickly she shifted them to passengers. Freight sector is concerned about GBR.
Dull old morning in Kernow today walking Editorial Assistant Woof. Atmospheric though…
April 23, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Dull old morning in Kernow today walking Editorial Assistant Woof. Atmospheric though…
I don’t, funnily enough, get much chance to write about steam for MR, but once in a while it happens. Ignore the doom mongers: #ETCS is not a death knell for main line steam.
As Tornado is tested with ETCS, ANDY RODEN argues owners with deep pockets will pay to keep their locos operating on the main line. What are your thoughts on the future of main line steam? 🚂 #Tornado #MainLineSteam #RailwayInnovation www.modernrailways.com/article/torn...
April 22, 2025 at 12:52 PM
I don’t, funnily enough, get much chance to write about steam for MR, but once in a while it happens. Ignore the doom mongers: #ETCS is not a death knell for main line steam.
Reposted by Andy Bowes-Roden
Arriva goes tri-mode for Grand Central with £300m order to replace Class 180s and 221s - www.modernrailways.com/article/arri...
Arriva orders battery ‘80x’ fleet for Grand Central
Hitachi scoops first UK inter-city battery train order
www.modernrailways.com
April 3, 2025 at 7:11 AM
Arriva goes tri-mode for Grand Central with £300m order to replace Class 180s and 221s - www.modernrailways.com/article/arri...
A fascinating order from Arriva here - and telling that Angel is funding a battery train fleet. The battery revolution is gathering pace.
SNAP ANALYSIS: Arriva keeps its promises with GC order - but are five car trains really long enough on the congested ECML? Modern Railways digital subscribers can read it here: www.modernrailways.com/article/snap...
SNAP ANALYSIS: Arriva keeps its promises
New trains ordered - but are five-car sets really long enough for the ECML?
www.modernrailways.com
April 3, 2025 at 3:07 PM
A fascinating order from Arriva here - and telling that Angel is funding a battery train fleet. The battery revolution is gathering pace.
Reposted by Andy Bowes-Roden
The February issue of Modern Railways is out now! Roger Ford reveals how much YOUR train costs to run, @Clinnick1 examines Southeastern’s fleet replacement plans and @andyroden.bsky.social looks at how satellites could transform signalling.
All of this, plus much more at www.modernrailways.com
All of this, plus much more at www.modernrailways.com
January 23, 2025 at 9:47 AM
The February issue of Modern Railways is out now! Roger Ford reveals how much YOUR train costs to run, @Clinnick1 examines Southeastern’s fleet replacement plans and @andyroden.bsky.social looks at how satellites could transform signalling.
All of this, plus much more at www.modernrailways.com
All of this, plus much more at www.modernrailways.com
The latest issue of @modernrailways.keypublishing.com is out now - and it’s a corker! @Clinnick1 reveals Southeastern’s fleet replacement plans, Roger Ford reveals how much your train costs to run, and I reveal a radical way of signalling rural lines. All revealed at your local newsagent now!
January 23, 2025 at 8:39 AM
The latest issue of @modernrailways.keypublishing.com is out now - and it’s a corker! @Clinnick1 reveals Southeastern’s fleet replacement plans, Roger Ford reveals how much your train costs to run, and I reveal a radical way of signalling rural lines. All revealed at your local newsagent now!
FirstGroup’s open access calls are interesting but also there’s an inevitable element of ‘Well, they would say that, wouldn’t they?’.
There are underserved markets and if open access can serve them while paying the same access costs as incumbent operators and not abstract revenue, maybe…
There are underserved markets and if open access can serve them while paying the same access costs as incumbent operators and not abstract revenue, maybe…
January 21, 2025 at 10:03 AM
FirstGroup’s open access calls are interesting but also there’s an inevitable element of ‘Well, they would say that, wouldn’t they?’.
There are underserved markets and if open access can serve them while paying the same access costs as incumbent operators and not abstract revenue, maybe…
There are underserved markets and if open access can serve them while paying the same access costs as incumbent operators and not abstract revenue, maybe…
Blimey, people don’t like these 20mph speed limits, do they? I’m sticking to them in my little town. Come summer, with the amount of folks who seem to think cars in Cornwall exist in a different reality where they’re not made of metal, it’ll give more time to stop.
January 20, 2025 at 6:16 PM
Blimey, people don’t like these 20mph speed limits, do they? I’m sticking to them in my little town. Come summer, with the amount of folks who seem to think cars in Cornwall exist in a different reality where they’re not made of metal, it’ll give more time to stop.