As some of you may now know, the latest issue of
@todaysrailwaysuk.bsky.social
is my last as part of the editorial team. It has been a pleasure and a privilege to have worked on the magazine over the last seven years, and I have made many friends and had a lot of fun along the way, but...

Grand Central has announced plans to start running four trains a day either way between Cleethorpes and King’s Cross (also serving Grimsby, Habrough and Scunthorpe). If approved, they could start as soon as December 2026. They would join/split from existing services at Doncaster.

Having arrived into the country only a matter of days ago - via Portbury, Rail Operations UK 93006 is currently en route to the HNRC Swietelsky facility at Worksop for commissioning and spent last night parked at Woodall services on the M1.

The journey over the West Highland Line extension did not disappoint! Yet more snow-capped peaks, stags, seals and a few things that will be familiar to fans of the Harry Potter films. Can thoroughly recommend fish and chips in Mallaig too.

Good afternoon from 1Y41,
ScotRail’s 08.22 Glasgow Queen Street - Fort William / Mallaig. It’s another beautiful day in the Highlands and, once again, the views are stunning. Lochs, stags, snow-capped peaks… and we’re not even on the ‘Road to the Isles’ yet.

Took my first trip in approx 20 years over the Far North Line today. I know it’s not peak season, but I was really surprised at how quiet the trains were. The scenery is stunningly beautiful!

Taking a break from its Royal Scotsman duties, GB Railfreight’s 66746 stands at Inverness this evening prior to working the 20.25 Inverness - Edinburgh leg of Caledonian Sleeper’s Highland Sleeper service with 73968.

The first of several bits of new track for me today - Edinburgh Trams’ Newhaven extension. Really good to see services so well used - and that there’s a stop right outside Harburn Hobbies!

The latest TR UK, which includes a look at the recent resignalling at Crewe, a guide to Westbury area freight traffic, a profile of the Western Locomotive Association, a review of the Greater Anglia Class 745s & all the latest news from the UK rail network, is now on sale: bit.ly/TRUK278

‘Accidentally’ ended up in Leeds at the same time as two @lner.co.uk InterCity 225s again - 91114+NL12 on the 12.45 to King’s Cross and 91124+NL06 on the 13.15 to King’s Cross. Sadly, I was heading in the opposite direction.

A nice end to the day. After working a charter back from York, ex LMS ‘Black 5’ 45212 heads away from Peterborough to the Nene Valley Railway. Then, having taken over the train for the last leg of the journey south, West Coast Railway Co 47746 “Chris Fudge 29.7.70 - 22.6.10” leaves for King’s Cross.

Looks like my flirtation with East Anglia is coming to an end just at the right time! Here’s @greateranglia.bsky.social 745105 and 745010 resting in between duties at a snowy Norwich.

Journey’s end: GB Railfreight 92020 stands at Euston with last night’s Lowlander, the 23.40 Glasgow Central / Edinburgh - Euston. @calsleeper.bsky.social

My hotel on wheels - ⁦‪Caledonian Sleeper’s Lowlander service to London Euston, which is being hauled as far as Carstairs tonight by ⁦‪GB Railfreight‬⁩ 92028. Haven’t sampled the seated coach since the CAF Mark 5s were introduced, so should be an interesting experience.

Off on an adventure. Here’s the @crosscountryuk.bsky.social Super Voyager on which I’ve come as far as York. Next up it’s an @lner.co.uk Azuma to Edinburgh.

Following trials with 08308 last year, Heidelberg Materials has ordered a Class 08e battery-electric shunting loco from Positive Traction. 08296 is to be provided as a donor loco. 📸 Positive Traction / Antonio Serban

Also got chance for a quick look around Hopetown Darlington today. Would definitely recommend visiting, but it’s best going on the first Saturday of the month as there is also access to Darlington Locomotive Works and the 1861 Shed.

My first railway adventure of the new year - a visit to Darlington for the naming of an LNER Azuma (801207) to mark this year’s Railway 200 celebrations.