Daniel Puddicombe
@danielonrails.bsky.social
Freelance journalist: Mostly write about trains and cars. Paloma Faith enthusiast and a snooker anorak as well. Email: daniel@danielpuddicombe.com. Own views.
Pinned
Hi Bluesky. Suppose I should introduce myself?
I'm a freelance journalist. I mostly write about trains these days; I'm very much an enthusiast that happens to be a journo and I travel thousands of miles behind steam each year in the UK & abroad.
I'm a freelance journalist. I mostly write about trains these days; I'm very much an enthusiast that happens to be a journo and I travel thousands of miles behind steam each year in the UK & abroad.
For months, I've been looking into dodgy videos that seemingly encouraged unlawful behaviour while promoting TrainPal on TikTok - plus a side-show of using the Money Saving Expert name without permission.
Story for @railmagazine.bsky.social is online: www.railmagazine.com/news/trainpa...
Story for @railmagazine.bsky.social is online: www.railmagazine.com/news/trainpa...
TrainPal accused of encouraging "unlawful behaviour" with social media adverts
Rail Delivery Group investigating after videos described as misleading are produced by online ticket retailer TrainPal.
www.railmagazine.com
November 12, 2025 at 10:57 AM
For months, I've been looking into dodgy videos that seemingly encouraged unlawful behaviour while promoting TrainPal on TikTok - plus a side-show of using the Money Saving Expert name without permission.
Story for @railmagazine.bsky.social is online: www.railmagazine.com/news/trainpa...
Story for @railmagazine.bsky.social is online: www.railmagazine.com/news/trainpa...
That’s #WTMLDN done for another year. 17 formal meetings over two days, countless catch ups with contacts / friends old and new, too many hot chocolates drunk, one very frazzled brain.
Same time next year?
(There’s also the one tourist board that still will not engage (IYKYK))
Same time next year?
(There’s also the one tourist board that still will not engage (IYKYK))
November 5, 2025 at 7:00 PM
That’s #WTMLDN done for another year. 17 formal meetings over two days, countless catch ups with contacts / friends old and new, too many hot chocolates drunk, one very frazzled brain.
Same time next year?
(There’s also the one tourist board that still will not engage (IYKYK))
Same time next year?
(There’s also the one tourist board that still will not engage (IYKYK))
One of the favourite things I've written in a while:
A week or so ago, I spent a fun afternoon with land speed record-holder Andy Green and his 1904 Stanley Runabout ahead of today's Veteran Car Run to learn why the world's fastest man loves steam cars.
www.telegraph.co.uk/cars/feature...
A week or so ago, I spent a fun afternoon with land speed record-holder Andy Green and his 1904 Stanley Runabout ahead of today's Veteran Car Run to learn why the world's fastest man loves steam cars.
www.telegraph.co.uk/cars/feature...
Why the world’s fastest driver prefers a 20mph steam-powered car
Land speed record-holder Andy Green is hooked on his 1904 steam-powered machine that only does 60mph and has ‘the worst brakes in the world’
www.telegraph.co.uk
November 2, 2025 at 11:43 AM
One of the favourite things I've written in a while:
A week or so ago, I spent a fun afternoon with land speed record-holder Andy Green and his 1904 Stanley Runabout ahead of today's Veteran Car Run to learn why the world's fastest man loves steam cars.
www.telegraph.co.uk/cars/feature...
A week or so ago, I spent a fun afternoon with land speed record-holder Andy Green and his 1904 Stanley Runabout ahead of today's Veteran Car Run to learn why the world's fastest man loves steam cars.
www.telegraph.co.uk/cars/feature...
A superb time seeing The Last Dinner Party (twice) last night in Southampton.
Second show was unhinged - among other things, Abi (on her birthday) ended up chugging half a bottle of vodka during This is the Killer.
A brilliant band live - and the new album is ace. @tldparchives.bsky.social
Second show was unhinged - among other things, Abi (on her birthday) ended up chugging half a bottle of vodka during This is the Killer.
A brilliant band live - and the new album is ace. @tldparchives.bsky.social
October 20, 2025 at 8:00 AM
A superb time seeing The Last Dinner Party (twice) last night in Southampton.
Second show was unhinged - among other things, Abi (on her birthday) ended up chugging half a bottle of vodka during This is the Killer.
A brilliant band live - and the new album is ace. @tldparchives.bsky.social
Second show was unhinged - among other things, Abi (on her birthday) ended up chugging half a bottle of vodka during This is the Killer.
A brilliant band live - and the new album is ace. @tldparchives.bsky.social
Every so often, the 135-year old former presidential train takes to Portugal's most scenic railway line. Last month, I travelled aboard Comboio Presidencial for an eight-course meal & trip along the Douro Valley for @telegraphnews.bsky.social:
www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/desti...
@diningcar.at
www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/desti...
@diningcar.at
October 14, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Every so often, the 135-year old former presidential train takes to Portugal's most scenic railway line. Last month, I travelled aboard Comboio Presidencial for an eight-course meal & trip along the Douro Valley for @telegraphnews.bsky.social:
www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/desti...
@diningcar.at
www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/desti...
@diningcar.at
Until last month, I'd never travelled on a railway run by an actual military. Have written about the glorious Tren Interoceánico network in Mexico for @telegraphnews.bsky.social.
Yes, it was most odd seeing armed marines guarding level crossings & platforms.
www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/desti...
Yes, it was most odd seeing armed marines guarding level crossings & platforms.
www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/desti...
October 12, 2025 at 12:52 PM
Until last month, I'd never travelled on a railway run by an actual military. Have written about the glorious Tren Interoceánico network in Mexico for @telegraphnews.bsky.social.
Yes, it was most odd seeing armed marines guarding level crossings & platforms.
www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/desti...
Yes, it was most odd seeing armed marines guarding level crossings & platforms.
www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/desti...
Remember that Austrian bloke that jumped out of a balloon in space? This is a really nice read about him and also the culture about Red Bull's sponsorship of extreme sports. Well worth five minutes of your time.
Felix Baumgartner: the highs and lows of a life of extremes trib.al/zk6gSky
Felix Baumgartner: the highs and lows of a life of extremes
The Austrian skydiver survived jumping 24 miles from space. But then his challenges really began. How did a daredevil hero become a political villain?
trib.al
October 10, 2025 at 11:33 AM
Remember that Austrian bloke that jumped out of a balloon in space? This is a really nice read about him and also the culture about Red Bull's sponsorship of extreme sports. Well worth five minutes of your time.
The first of the dispatches from my US & Mexican rail trip went live this morning.
Amtrak's 'Pacific Surfliner' is a stunning route between LA and San Diego that's affordable and has good frequency - an epitome of all that is good about rail travel in the US.
www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/affor...
Amtrak's 'Pacific Surfliner' is a stunning route between LA and San Diego that's affordable and has good frequency - an epitome of all that is good about rail travel in the US.
www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/affor...
October 8, 2025 at 12:57 PM
The first of the dispatches from my US & Mexican rail trip went live this morning.
Amtrak's 'Pacific Surfliner' is a stunning route between LA and San Diego that's affordable and has good frequency - an epitome of all that is good about rail travel in the US.
www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/affor...
Amtrak's 'Pacific Surfliner' is a stunning route between LA and San Diego that's affordable and has good frequency - an epitome of all that is good about rail travel in the US.
www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/affor...
Travelling aboard Comboio Presidencial - Portugal’s 125 year old former presidential train - from Porto through the Douro Valley in lovely sunshine today. There’s the added bonus of haulage behind a 1960s English Electric 1400-class diesel…
September 20, 2025 at 12:55 PM
Travelling aboard Comboio Presidencial - Portugal’s 125 year old former presidential train - from Porto through the Douro Valley in lovely sunshine today. There’s the added bonus of haulage behind a 1960s English Electric 1400-class diesel…
I know there are bigger issues in the world right now but yesterday I took a tour along Mobile River. I saw SS United States, mid decommissioning. What an utter waste of America’s shipping heritage that it is going to be sunk off the coast of Florida to create a reef.
September 15, 2025 at 12:15 PM
I know there are bigger issues in the world right now but yesterday I took a tour along Mobile River. I saw SS United States, mid decommissioning. What an utter waste of America’s shipping heritage that it is going to be sunk off the coast of Florida to create a reef.
Travelling on Amtrak’s new Mardi Gras Service today. A few weeks ago trains resumed between New Orleans and Mobile after a 20 year Hurricane Katrina-induced hiatus. And already services are selling out, which is great to see. 🎉
September 13, 2025 at 12:35 PM
Travelling on Amtrak’s new Mardi Gras Service today. A few weeks ago trains resumed between New Orleans and Mobile after a 20 year Hurricane Katrina-induced hiatus. And already services are selling out, which is great to see. 🎉
I’m in New Orleans at the moment. The city is home to the world’s oldest continuously running Streetcar line in the world. These 102 year old machines run 24/7 and are great fun to ride aboard. Had a fascinating look around RTA’s depot, too.
September 12, 2025 at 9:49 PM
I’m in New Orleans at the moment. The city is home to the world’s oldest continuously running Streetcar line in the world. These 102 year old machines run 24/7 and are great fun to ride aboard. Had a fascinating look around RTA’s depot, too.
Cancun-bound aboard Tren Maya today. Merida’s station is very impressive, even if it is nowhere near the city centre.
(The less says about the truly awful boarding experience, the better!)
(The less says about the truly awful boarding experience, the better!)
September 9, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Cancun-bound aboard Tren Maya today. Merida’s station is very impressive, even if it is nowhere near the city centre.
(The less says about the truly awful boarding experience, the better!)
(The less says about the truly awful boarding experience, the better!)
Plodding my way to Cancun over the next few days using (Army-owned) Tren Maya. The station at Palenque is huge, brand new and very airy. Impressive stuff.
September 7, 2025 at 5:35 PM
Plodding my way to Cancun over the next few days using (Army-owned) Tren Maya. The station at Palenque is huge, brand new and very airy. Impressive stuff.
This is so strange - and the main reason for coming to Mexico. Sat in a former GWR first class Mk3 for the journey between Coatzacoalcos and Palenque. Since 2023 HSTs have been running on the line. It’ll be surreal to travel through a jungle on a HST…
September 6, 2025 at 1:16 PM
This is so strange - and the main reason for coming to Mexico. Sat in a former GWR first class Mk3 for the journey between Coatzacoalcos and Palenque. Since 2023 HSTs have been running on the line. It’ll be surreal to travel through a jungle on a HST…
After a few days in Mexico City being a tourist, it’s back to trains and I’m travelling on Tren Interoceánico between Salina Cruz on the Pacific and Coatzacoalcos on the Gulf of Mexico. Interesting stock - ex Amtrak Amfleet I carriages and US freight locos that have been exported.
September 5, 2025 at 3:47 PM
After a few days in Mexico City being a tourist, it’s back to trains and I’m travelling on Tren Interoceánico between Salina Cruz on the Pacific and Coatzacoalcos on the Gulf of Mexico. Interesting stock - ex Amtrak Amfleet I carriages and US freight locos that have been exported.
Things I did not expect to see today: a Mexican Pacer.
September 3, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Things I did not expect to see today: a Mexican Pacer.
Apropos of nothing, Mexico City has a cable car network. There is a flat fee of $7 MXN (25p) to ride it. Metro journeys cost $5 MXN each and offer unlimited transfers. A gold standard for public transport? @jonnelledge.bsky.social
September 2, 2025 at 7:48 PM
Apropos of nothing, Mexico City has a cable car network. There is a flat fee of $7 MXN (25p) to ride it. Metro journeys cost $5 MXN each and offer unlimited transfers. A gold standard for public transport? @jonnelledge.bsky.social
Getting my first taste of Mexico’s passenger railway systems today: the sun has just risen and I’m travelling on Chepe Regional from Chihuahua to Divisadero which is in the heart of the Copper Canyon.
The sight of armed guards on the train definitely woke me up at 0530!
The sight of armed guards on the train definitely woke me up at 0530!
August 30, 2025 at 12:51 PM
Getting my first taste of Mexico’s passenger railway systems today: the sun has just risen and I’m travelling on Chepe Regional from Chihuahua to Divisadero which is in the heart of the Copper Canyon.
The sight of armed guards on the train definitely woke me up at 0530!
The sight of armed guards on the train definitely woke me up at 0530!
Crossed the border from San Diego to Tijuana earlier. A really easy process - maybe 15 people in front of me. I was only delayed because I needed to find someone to issue an FMM form.
After crossing, I found a cab to take me to the airport for $15. Far cheaper than CBX!
After crossing, I found a cab to take me to the airport for $15. Far cheaper than CBX!
August 29, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Crossed the border from San Diego to Tijuana earlier. A really easy process - maybe 15 people in front of me. I was only delayed because I needed to find someone to issue an FMM form.
After crossing, I found a cab to take me to the airport for $15. Far cheaper than CBX!
After crossing, I found a cab to take me to the airport for $15. Far cheaper than CBX!
After a lovely couple of days in LA, I’m kicking off my North and Central American rail adventure in earnest this morning by travelling on Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner to San Diego. A beautiful day for a run along the coast…
August 27, 2025 at 6:18 PM
After a lovely couple of days in LA, I’m kicking off my North and Central American rail adventure in earnest this morning by travelling on Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner to San Diego. A beautiful day for a run along the coast…
Reposted by Daniel Puddicombe
Continuing with the theme of night trains: I took the Santa Claus Express to Finnish Lapland with my kids and it didn’t quite go to plan. The rest of the tale is in Moonlight Express! observer.co.uk/style/travel...
Baby on board: four families on intrepid travels with kids
Spontaneous travel and outdoor adventures with kids... how hard could it be? Four families find out
observer.co.uk
August 24, 2025 at 10:37 AM
Continuing with the theme of night trains: I took the Santa Claus Express to Finnish Lapland with my kids and it didn’t quite go to plan. The rest of the tale is in Moonlight Express! observer.co.uk/style/travel...
Reposted by Daniel Puddicombe
As the publication of Moonlight Express approaches, I wrote a love letter to night trains. Because, well, I really do love them so much!
www.theguardian.com/travel/2025/...
www.theguardian.com/travel/2025/...
Sleeper hit: how Europe is revelling in the return of the night train
With a bucket list of journeys that would take her from Palermo to Trondheim and Istanbul, our writer rekindles her love affair with long-distance train journeys
www.theguardian.com
August 23, 2025 at 12:19 PM
As the publication of Moonlight Express approaches, I wrote a love letter to night trains. Because, well, I really do love them so much!
www.theguardian.com/travel/2025/...
www.theguardian.com/travel/2025/...
Reposted by Daniel Puddicombe
Yesterday Mountains Magazine was sent to the printers. Issue 1 should be out in a couple of weeks. Pre-order your copy here > www.mountains-magazine.com/shop
August 21, 2025 at 8:23 AM
Yesterday Mountains Magazine was sent to the printers. Issue 1 should be out in a couple of weeks. Pre-order your copy here > www.mountains-magazine.com/shop
Reposted by Daniel Puddicombe
We are on the cusp of AGI, definitely for real
August 17, 2025 at 8:56 PM
We are on the cusp of AGI, definitely for real