Andy Bye
@indiephonics.bsky.social
Father of 2 awesome children. I love music, reading, and DIY. I'm a brand new commercial train guard and enjoying the adventure.
Siemens Desiro, Class 444s. Unit 444019 'Pride Train', waiting to lead out, unit 444040 'The D-Day Story'; both joined to make a 10 car train.
While waiting for my next working, @ London Waterloo, Tuesday evening. (I'm glad mine hadn't appeared yet; it was meant to be in that empty platform space).
While waiting for my next working, @ London Waterloo, Tuesday evening. (I'm glad mine hadn't appeared yet; it was meant to be in that empty platform space).
August 29, 2025 at 8:40 PM
Siemens Desiro, Class 444s. Unit 444019 'Pride Train', waiting to lead out, unit 444040 'The D-Day Story'; both joined to make a 10 car train.
While waiting for my next working, @ London Waterloo, Tuesday evening. (I'm glad mine hadn't appeared yet; it was meant to be in that empty platform space).
While waiting for my next working, @ London Waterloo, Tuesday evening. (I'm glad mine hadn't appeared yet; it was meant to be in that empty platform space).
Class 69, 69007 - 'Richard Travethick'. GBRF, BR blue livery. Passing through Woking station. Yesterday 14/05/2025. She held up my Pass train to Basingstoke and my working train at Basingstoke. 🤣
May 15, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Class 69, 69007 - 'Richard Travethick'. GBRF, BR blue livery. Passing through Woking station. Yesterday 14/05/2025. She held up my Pass train to Basingstoke and my working train at Basingstoke. 🤣
Alton's always a good place on a turnaround, but today was even more exceptional.
Merchant Navy class, 'Canadian Pacific' 35005,was out and about on the Watercress Line. 😀
And then I went back to reality in a Desiro. 🤣
Merchant Navy class, 'Canadian Pacific' 35005,was out and about on the Watercress Line. 😀
And then I went back to reality in a Desiro. 🤣
May 1, 2025 at 10:04 PM
Alton's always a good place on a turnaround, but today was even more exceptional.
Merchant Navy class, 'Canadian Pacific' 35005,was out and about on the Watercress Line. 😀
And then I went back to reality in a Desiro. 🤣
Merchant Navy class, 'Canadian Pacific' 35005,was out and about on the Watercress Line. 😀
And then I went back to reality in a Desiro. 🤣
The end of my 1st day independent working.
(I was cover yesterday and saw no train action).
455707, which was coupled to 455703. (My 1st independent job). Woking to Waterloo.
450010 & 450074, my middle job. Waterloo to Haslemere, then back to Guildford as empties.
450010. Guildford to Farnham.
(I was cover yesterday and saw no train action).
455707, which was coupled to 455703. (My 1st independent job). Woking to Waterloo.
450010 & 450074, my middle job. Waterloo to Haslemere, then back to Guildford as empties.
450010. Guildford to Farnham.
April 29, 2025 at 1:34 AM
The end of my 1st day independent working.
(I was cover yesterday and saw no train action).
455707, which was coupled to 455703. (My 1st independent job). Woking to Waterloo.
450010 & 450074, my middle job. Waterloo to Haslemere, then back to Guildford as empties.
450010. Guildford to Farnham.
(I was cover yesterday and saw no train action).
455707, which was coupled to 455703. (My 1st independent job). Woking to Waterloo.
450010 & 450074, my middle job. Waterloo to Haslemere, then back to Guildford as empties.
450010. Guildford to Farnham.
Two of my hero locos. GB Railfreight, Class 73s, 73962 'Dick Mabutt' & 73963 'Janice'.
Woking UP Yard.
Bad pictures, through the passenger window of a Desiro, whilst going over the top of Woking Junction.
Woking UP Yard.
Bad pictures, through the passenger window of a Desiro, whilst going over the top of Woking Junction.
April 15, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Two of my hero locos. GB Railfreight, Class 73s, 73962 'Dick Mabutt' & 73963 'Janice'.
Woking UP Yard.
Bad pictures, through the passenger window of a Desiro, whilst going over the top of Woking Junction.
Woking UP Yard.
Bad pictures, through the passenger window of a Desiro, whilst going over the top of Woking Junction.
This week has mostly been 455s. 455731 being the unit where the photos of the other 2 were taken and also 1 of my assessment units.
455862 would have been going UP on the Chessington branch - right at Effingham Jn, where my depot sadly doesn't do.
'New Guildford Line'.
I'm back onto Desiros now.
455862 would have been going UP on the Chessington branch - right at Effingham Jn, where my depot sadly doesn't do.
'New Guildford Line'.
I'm back onto Desiros now.
April 11, 2025 at 10:38 PM
This week has mostly been 455s. 455731 being the unit where the photos of the other 2 were taken and also 1 of my assessment units.
455862 would have been going UP on the Chessington branch - right at Effingham Jn, where my depot sadly doesn't do.
'New Guildford Line'.
I'm back onto Desiros now.
455862 would have been going UP on the Chessington branch - right at Effingham Jn, where my depot sadly doesn't do.
'New Guildford Line'.
I'm back onto Desiros now.
Here's a blast from the past: Aldershot 2017. Class 456s.
Last of the South West Trains days & before the Desiros came to town in abundance & so full on.
Google photos, just reminded me. 456008 & 456019. 24 built & scrapped.
(Until my current employment, I don't have many train pics).
Last of the South West Trains days & before the Desiros came to town in abundance & so full on.
Google photos, just reminded me. 456008 & 456019. 24 built & scrapped.
(Until my current employment, I don't have many train pics).
April 10, 2025 at 9:59 PM
Here's a blast from the past: Aldershot 2017. Class 456s.
Last of the South West Trains days & before the Desiros came to town in abundance & so full on.
Google photos, just reminded me. 456008 & 456019. 24 built & scrapped.
(Until my current employment, I don't have many train pics).
Last of the South West Trains days & before the Desiros came to town in abundance & so full on.
Google photos, just reminded me. 456008 & 456019. 24 built & scrapped.
(Until my current employment, I don't have many train pics).
Starting my last route learning, tomorrow. Woking - Guildford - Haslemere. We don't get to to do the extra bit of fun, down to Portsmouth at my depot.
I haven't actually ever made to Haslemere yet; something always goes wrong. Even my Desiro training train got CAPED, then the points failed x 2.
I haven't actually ever made to Haslemere yet; something always goes wrong. Even my Desiro training train got CAPED, then the points failed x 2.
April 10, 2025 at 9:45 PM
Starting my last route learning, tomorrow. Woking - Guildford - Haslemere. We don't get to to do the extra bit of fun, down to Portsmouth at my depot.
I haven't actually ever made to Haslemere yet; something always goes wrong. Even my Desiro training train got CAPED, then the points failed x 2.
I haven't actually ever made to Haslemere yet; something always goes wrong. Even my Desiro training train got CAPED, then the points failed x 2.
There she went, at 09:40 on the dot: 2Z34. Class 37, 37418 - 'An Comunn Gaidhealach', with 'Caroline', the observation car. Departing from Guildford station today, heading to Derby.
(Thank you for having a meeting at that exact time, Guards Managers). 🤣
(Thank you for having a meeting at that exact time, Guards Managers). 🤣
April 9, 2025 at 4:42 PM
There she went, at 09:40 on the dot: 2Z34. Class 37, 37418 - 'An Comunn Gaidhealach', with 'Caroline', the observation car. Departing from Guildford station today, heading to Derby.
(Thank you for having a meeting at that exact time, Guards Managers). 🤣
(Thank you for having a meeting at that exact time, Guards Managers). 🤣
Upon my arrival for work at Guildford today. 2Z34 - 09:40, pre-departure: Class 37, 37418 - 'An Comunn Gaidhealach', with 'Caroline', the observation car.
April 9, 2025 at 7:59 AM
Upon my arrival for work at Guildford today. 2Z34 - 09:40, pre-departure: Class 37, 37418 - 'An Comunn Gaidhealach', with 'Caroline', the observation car.
Name the band... (If you know, you know).
March 28, 2025 at 9:37 PM
Name the band... (If you know, you know).
I'm really enjoying learning this route. Staines to Reading. So much variety the Reading end too.
GWR, CrossCountry, Elizabeth Line and SWR.
Of course our SWR, Siemens Desiro Class 450, being the greatest thing there today. 😉
I've probably got about 17 days left of route learning left now.
GWR, CrossCountry, Elizabeth Line and SWR.
Of course our SWR, Siemens Desiro Class 450, being the greatest thing there today. 😉
I've probably got about 17 days left of route learning left now.
March 26, 2025 at 9:58 PM
I'm really enjoying learning this route. Staines to Reading. So much variety the Reading end too.
GWR, CrossCountry, Elizabeth Line and SWR.
Of course our SWR, Siemens Desiro Class 450, being the greatest thing there today. 😉
I've probably got about 17 days left of route learning left now.
GWR, CrossCountry, Elizabeth Line and SWR.
Of course our SWR, Siemens Desiro Class 450, being the greatest thing there today. 😉
I've probably got about 17 days left of route learning left now.
Hello 455868 'Golden Spanners', we meet again. It would have been rude not to have been provided with her for Woking to Clapham route learning. 😉
I'm gutted, I had to get a different train from Surbiton, and I'm also gutted that my depot doesn't do to Hampton Court station itself, coming back down.
I'm gutted, I had to get a different train from Surbiton, and I'm also gutted that my depot doesn't do to Hampton Court station itself, coming back down.
February 28, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Hello 455868 'Golden Spanners', we meet again. It would have been rude not to have been provided with her for Woking to Clapham route learning. 😉
I'm gutted, I had to get a different train from Surbiton, and I'm also gutted that my depot doesn't do to Hampton Court station itself, coming back down.
I'm gutted, I had to get a different train from Surbiton, and I'm also gutted that my depot doesn't do to Hampton Court station itself, coming back down.
Desiro, Class 444 444040, 'The D-Day Story' @Alton, this morning. 1A11, Plt 1.
I felt very honoured to have her for a route learning trip, even if she was only operating as a single 5 car unit. (One normally expects a 10 car 444, or 12 car 450).
The Waterloo guard was a very nice chap, too. 😀
I felt very honoured to have her for a route learning trip, even if she was only operating as a single 5 car unit. (One normally expects a 10 car 444, or 12 car 450).
The Waterloo guard was a very nice chap, too. 😀
February 24, 2025 at 10:16 PM
Desiro, Class 444 444040, 'The D-Day Story' @Alton, this morning. 1A11, Plt 1.
I felt very honoured to have her for a route learning trip, even if she was only operating as a single 5 car unit. (One normally expects a 10 car 444, or 12 car 450).
The Waterloo guard was a very nice chap, too. 😀
I felt very honoured to have her for a route learning trip, even if she was only operating as a single 5 car unit. (One normally expects a 10 car 444, or 12 car 450).
The Waterloo guard was a very nice chap, too. 😀
Class 59, Hanson livery: Westbury Tarmac to Woking UP yard reception. 6O02 to eventually reach Day Aggregates. I didn't catch her info, but if I had to guess, it would be 59103 Village Of Mells.
I was only there for the signals and junctions, but when in Woking and in the presence of a Class 59....
I was only there for the signals and junctions, but when in Woking and in the presence of a Class 59....
February 21, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Class 59, Hanson livery: Westbury Tarmac to Woking UP yard reception. 6O02 to eventually reach Day Aggregates. I didn't catch her info, but if I had to guess, it would be 59103 Village Of Mells.
I was only there for the signals and junctions, but when in Woking and in the presence of a Class 59....
I was only there for the signals and junctions, but when in Woking and in the presence of a Class 59....
1 route assessment done: GLD to AHT to ACT, ACT to AHT to GLD.
I was slapped for an early formed bad habit / assumption at Frimley. I won't make the same mistake again.
WOK to AON to WOK, WOK to BSK to WOK, tomorrow onwards.
PS: Fab peeps can be found at Guildford Depot. Nice messroom, too. 😀
I was slapped for an early formed bad habit / assumption at Frimley. I won't make the same mistake again.
WOK to AON to WOK, WOK to BSK to WOK, tomorrow onwards.
PS: Fab peeps can be found at Guildford Depot. Nice messroom, too. 😀
February 20, 2025 at 7:25 PM
1 route assessment done: GLD to AHT to ACT, ACT to AHT to GLD.
I was slapped for an early formed bad habit / assumption at Frimley. I won't make the same mistake again.
WOK to AON to WOK, WOK to BSK to WOK, tomorrow onwards.
PS: Fab peeps can be found at Guildford Depot. Nice messroom, too. 😀
I was slapped for an early formed bad habit / assumption at Frimley. I won't make the same mistake again.
WOK to AON to WOK, WOK to BSK to WOK, tomorrow onwards.
PS: Fab peeps can be found at Guildford Depot. Nice messroom, too. 😀
My route learning commenced today, after what's felt like an eternity.
Starting with: Guildford to Aldershot to Ascot. I've only ever worked 12, 10, and 8 car trains; so 4 will feel strange. I say that as if I've worked loads of trains, I haven't. 🤣
Then: Woking to Basingstoke and Woking to Alton.
Starting with: Guildford to Aldershot to Ascot. I've only ever worked 12, 10, and 8 car trains; so 4 will feel strange. I say that as if I've worked loads of trains, I haven't. 🤣
Then: Woking to Basingstoke and Woking to Alton.
February 17, 2025 at 8:24 PM
My route learning commenced today, after what's felt like an eternity.
Starting with: Guildford to Aldershot to Ascot. I've only ever worked 12, 10, and 8 car trains; so 4 will feel strange. I say that as if I've worked loads of trains, I haven't. 🤣
Then: Woking to Basingstoke and Woking to Alton.
Starting with: Guildford to Aldershot to Ascot. I've only ever worked 12, 10, and 8 car trains; so 4 will feel strange. I say that as if I've worked loads of trains, I haven't. 🤣
Then: Woking to Basingstoke and Woking to Alton.
It'll probably be the 1st, last & only time I ever get to work on a Class 159. Grabbed that opportunity with both hands today.
"Ticket Tuesday" on the commercial course.
1L29 159107, led 159020 from Waterloo to Basingstoke, it went on to Exeter St Davids. A Salisbury guard did the traction.
"Ticket Tuesday" on the commercial course.
1L29 159107, led 159020 from Waterloo to Basingstoke, it went on to Exeter St Davids. A Salisbury guard did the traction.
February 11, 2025 at 4:29 PM
It'll probably be the 1st, last & only time I ever get to work on a Class 159. Grabbed that opportunity with both hands today.
"Ticket Tuesday" on the commercial course.
1L29 159107, led 159020 from Waterloo to Basingstoke, it went on to Exeter St Davids. A Salisbury guard did the traction.
"Ticket Tuesday" on the commercial course.
1L29 159107, led 159020 from Waterloo to Basingstoke, it went on to Exeter St Davids. A Salisbury guard did the traction.
Alton FebEx 2025, here we come! My 6 year old daughter has been talking about it since 2024's; she's even packed a Snickers bar, her diary, an SWR water bottle, and £50.
I've created a monster. 🤣
I've created a monster. 🤣
February 1, 2025 at 9:49 AM
Alton FebEx 2025, here we come! My 6 year old daughter has been talking about it since 2024's; she's even packed a Snickers bar, her diary, an SWR water bottle, and £50.
I've created a monster. 🤣
I've created a monster. 🤣
1st official day at depot tomorrow; then I've mutually chosen to burn 2 days holiday before the commencement of next week's 2 week commercial course. That course is apparently the part where I question this life choice. Then I start route learning, after that.
The time is absolutely flying by.
The time is absolutely flying by.
January 28, 2025 at 4:42 PM
1st official day at depot tomorrow; then I've mutually chosen to burn 2 days holiday before the commencement of next week's 2 week commercial course. That course is apparently the part where I question this life choice. Then I start route learning, after that.
The time is absolutely flying by.
The time is absolutely flying by.
Last day of 458/5 traction training today.
Different day, different units. 458530 & 458536 today.
Still only my 4th fave traction (that I'm trained on), but they've grown-ish on me.
I have actually seen all 5, 5 car units now. 458533, shoes sadly tied up (probably for good, at last sight).
Different day, different units. 458530 & 458536 today.
Still only my 4th fave traction (that I'm trained on), but they've grown-ish on me.
I have actually seen all 5, 5 car units now. 458533, shoes sadly tied up (probably for good, at last sight).
January 28, 2025 at 4:18 PM
Last day of 458/5 traction training today.
Different day, different units. 458530 & 458536 today.
Still only my 4th fave traction (that I'm trained on), but they've grown-ish on me.
I have actually seen all 5, 5 car units now. 458533, shoes sadly tied up (probably for good, at last sight).
Different day, different units. 458530 & 458536 today.
Still only my 4th fave traction (that I'm trained on), but they've grown-ish on me.
I have actually seen all 5, 5 car units now. 458533, shoes sadly tied up (probably for good, at last sight).
Today's traction training units. Juniper Class 458, 458529 & 458535. 1 of only 2 pairs left. These will never be made into 458/4s.
The wheelchair ramp is easy. That's about the only thing they have going for them, from a guards point of view. I'd rather take the Class 455 455591 next to it.
The wheelchair ramp is easy. That's about the only thing they have going for them, from a guards point of view. I'd rather take the Class 455 455591 next to it.
January 27, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Today's traction training units. Juniper Class 458, 458529 & 458535. 1 of only 2 pairs left. These will never be made into 458/4s.
The wheelchair ramp is easy. That's about the only thing they have going for them, from a guards point of view. I'd rather take the Class 455 455591 next to it.
The wheelchair ramp is easy. That's about the only thing they have going for them, from a guards point of view. I'd rather take the Class 455 455591 next to it.
Class 458/5 traction training today and tomorrow. This could be the first, last, and only time I get to work one. I haven't seen a serviceable example in ages.
January 27, 2025 at 8:15 AM
Class 458/5 traction training today and tomorrow. This could be the first, last, and only time I get to work one. I haven't seen a serviceable example in ages.
These were fun today. Class 455, traction training, working day 1. 2nd and 3rd working of the day. Pre-Woking to Waterloo. Shame that most signals were red going back up.
The Kingston Loop, 2O15, was fun until everything got so slippery under wheel & foot. Waterloo to Waterloo, 455915 & 455911
The Kingston Loop, 2O15, was fun until everything got so slippery under wheel & foot. Waterloo to Waterloo, 455915 & 455911
January 23, 2025 at 9:40 PM
These were fun today. Class 455, traction training, working day 1. 2nd and 3rd working of the day. Pre-Woking to Waterloo. Shame that most signals were red going back up.
The Kingston Loop, 2O15, was fun until everything got so slippery under wheel & foot. Waterloo to Waterloo, 455915 & 455911
The Kingston Loop, 2O15, was fun until everything got so slippery under wheel & foot. Waterloo to Waterloo, 455915 & 455911
Would you believe: During static, Class 455 training today and the whole time we were on ours, we had no idea she was behind us.
Class 455, 455868, "Golden Spanners". Wimbledon Depot, today.
Too close for a decent photo.
I think I'm going to enjoy working 455s over the next couple of days. 😀
Class 455, 455868, "Golden Spanners". Wimbledon Depot, today.
Too close for a decent photo.
I think I'm going to enjoy working 455s over the next couple of days. 😀
January 22, 2025 at 4:12 PM
Would you believe: During static, Class 455 training today and the whole time we were on ours, we had no idea she was behind us.
Class 455, 455868, "Golden Spanners". Wimbledon Depot, today.
Too close for a decent photo.
I think I'm going to enjoy working 455s over the next couple of days. 😀
Class 455, 455868, "Golden Spanners". Wimbledon Depot, today.
Too close for a decent photo.
I think I'm going to enjoy working 455s over the next couple of days. 😀