Phil Richards
@philrichards.bsky.social
35 years in the railway industry, now retired. Interests are Rail travel (UK/EU & N America), Prog Rock, Craft Beer.
Well this letter came in today's post. Other than a(nother) reminder "I'm getting old", not so sure about using the word "invitation" is all that great. A bit condescending in fact. Yes, there's the option to defer it, but with extremely unfavourable terms for most people.
January 22, 2026 at 1:04 PM
Well this letter came in today's post. Other than a(nother) reminder "I'm getting old", not so sure about using the word "invitation" is all that great. A bit condescending in fact. Yes, there's the option to defer it, but with extremely unfavourable terms for most people.
A trip to St Pancras today to purchase Eurostar tickets (more about that later). Thought I would check up on what's happening with #EES And basically sod all. Zone A (near the Thameslink entrance) had the shutters rolled up but glass doors locked and terminals powered off.
January 21, 2026 at 3:19 PM
A trip to St Pancras today to purchase Eurostar tickets (more about that later). Thought I would check up on what's happening with #EES And basically sod all. Zone A (near the Thameslink entrance) had the shutters rolled up but glass doors locked and terminals powered off.
#InterRail #DataBreach Not had the email yet, but this has been a well discussed topic over the last few days. Worrying to say the least. I've changed my password, but what the heck are we supposed to do if your passport data was compromised?
January 14, 2026 at 8:09 AM
#InterRail #DataBreach Not had the email yet, but this has been a well discussed topic over the last few days. Worrying to say the least. I've changed my password, but what the heck are we supposed to do if your passport data was compromised?
Was so fond of British prog rock band, Renaissance, back during 1970s. Just learned that their drummer from the 1970s, Terence Sullivan, has passed away. Just Annie Haslam left now.
I'm sure many remember their hit single Northern Lights back in 1978.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-Qi...
I'm sure many remember their hit single Northern Lights back in 1978.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-Qi...
Renaissance - Northern Lights (1st TOTP appearance, 1978) HD
YouTube video by tony713elo
www.youtube.com
January 10, 2026 at 4:36 PM
Was so fond of British prog rock band, Renaissance, back during 1970s. Just learned that their drummer from the 1970s, Terence Sullivan, has passed away. Just Annie Haslam left now.
I'm sure many remember their hit single Northern Lights back in 1978.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-Qi...
I'm sure many remember their hit single Northern Lights back in 1978.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-Qi...
As a London resident for the last 25+ years and just coming up to State Pension Age, this isn't good news at all. Fair to say, I've made good use of the TfL managed Oyster 60+ for the best part of 6 the last years.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Freedom Pass free travel for older Londoners could be cut back
London Councils is concerned about the rising expense of delivering the scheme.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 9, 2026 at 9:19 AM
As a London resident for the last 25+ years and just coming up to State Pension Age, this isn't good news at all. Fair to say, I've made good use of the TfL managed Oyster 60+ for the best part of 6 the last years.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Passed through (not travelling) St Pancras yesterday. With a bit of spare time I checked up on the progress of #EES Not looking good albeit not a busy day. Zone B (7 terminals) near check-in closed. I know currently only for Premium ticket holders and can be done at the French immigration booths.
January 7, 2026 at 9:53 AM
Passed through (not travelling) St Pancras yesterday. With a bit of spare time I checked up on the progress of #EES Not looking good albeit not a busy day. Zone B (7 terminals) near check-in closed. I know currently only for Premium ticket holders and can be done at the French immigration booths.
Northstar Line, a single route Commuter Rail operating into Minneapolis closes on 4 January. Only been in operation for 16 years and one that has obviously never recovered its passenger numbers since the pandemic. Like so many other Commuter Rail routes its almost entirely aimed at just that.
December 31, 2025 at 8:32 AM
Northstar Line, a single route Commuter Rail operating into Minneapolis closes on 4 January. Only been in operation for 16 years and one that has obviously never recovered its passenger numbers since the pandemic. Like so many other Commuter Rail routes its almost entirely aimed at just that.
Until a few weeks ago, stations west of Istanbul to Sofia weren't listed in the International Tickets tab on the TCDD site. Now they are. No schedules/fares loaded yet. But hopefully there soon. Its one of very few trains that still can't be booked online.
@jonworth.eu @seatsixtyone.bsky.social
@jonworth.eu @seatsixtyone.bsky.social
December 30, 2025 at 4:48 PM
Until a few weeks ago, stations west of Istanbul to Sofia weren't listed in the International Tickets tab on the TCDD site. Now they are. No schedules/fares loaded yet. But hopefully there soon. Its one of very few trains that still can't be booked online.
@jonworth.eu @seatsixtyone.bsky.social
@jonworth.eu @seatsixtyone.bsky.social
Been busy over the last few months selling a lot of my old ppl 12" vinyl collection. eBay is rather addictive. EVRi seem to be the preferred delivery option (I offer RM too). 60+ sales in and had my first damaged item. Handled very well after the buyer filed a report. Buyer refunded in full.
December 13, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Been busy over the last few months selling a lot of my old ppl 12" vinyl collection. eBay is rather addictive. EVRi seem to be the preferred delivery option (I offer RM too). 60+ sales in and had my first damaged item. Handled very well after the buyer filed a report. Buyer refunded in full.
Heading from Sivas to Kars. Early start (04:56) although we departed 50 mins late. I've done Turkish night trains before. I was more interested in the catering as that has seen some changes in recent years. Full restaurant car. One person serving and cooking the food.
November 8, 2025 at 5:34 AM
Heading from Sivas to Kars. Early start (04:56) although we departed 50 mins late. I've done Turkish night trains before. I was more interested in the catering as that has seen some changes in recent years. Full restaurant car. One person serving and cooking the food.
After a night in Sivas I took the train to Samsun. 8 hours or thereabouts. 4 car diesel set which was less than half full. And this only runs three times a week each way. Buses are several times a day, take 5 hours but a quick check revealed the price was around 800 TL each way.
November 6, 2025 at 5:09 PM
After a night in Sivas I took the train to Samsun. 8 hours or thereabouts. 4 car diesel set which was less than half full. And this only runs three times a week each way. Buses are several times a day, take 5 hours but a quick check revealed the price was around 800 TL each way.
YHT High Speed Train from Ankara to Sivas where I stay the night. Fantastic food market.
November 5, 2025 at 6:00 PM
YHT High Speed Train from Ankara to Sivas where I stay the night. Fantastic food market.
Did Istanbul (Bakirköy) to Ankara today on the YHT with a detour at Arifiye to cover the short line to Adapazari. Very slow in the Istanbul area and several waits to cross over with another YHT. Only room for three tracks most of the way through the suburbs.
November 4, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Did Istanbul (Bakirköy) to Ankara today on the YHT with a detour at Arifiye to cover the short line to Adapazari. Very slow in the Istanbul area and several waits to cross over with another YHT. Only room for three tracks most of the way through the suburbs.
Once #EES is up and running for Bulgaria's only rail crossing out of Schengen, suspect process at Svilengrad non-EUs at least will need to detrain. I doubt there's portable EES equipment. Ironically the US does have that. Had biometrics done in the comfort of my seat on Amtrak's train in May
November 3, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Once #EES is up and running for Bulgaria's only rail crossing out of Schengen, suspect process at Svilengrad non-EUs at least will need to detrain. I doubt there's portable EES equipment. Ironically the US does have that. Had biometrics done in the comfort of my seat on Amtrak's train in May
Finally got to cover the Sofia to Turkey sleeper train last night. Bulgarian border control was the easy one. Though I checked my passport when it was given back and no stamp. Fortunately officers hung around on the platform, so one went off and got it stamped.
November 3, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Finally got to cover the Sofia to Turkey sleeper train last night. Bulgarian border control was the easy one. Though I checked my passport when it was given back and no stamp. Fortunately officers hung around on the platform, so one went off and got it stamped.
Heading to Cornwall having just crossed the Royal Albert Bridge.
October 15, 2025 at 10:36 AM
Heading to Cornwall having just crossed the Royal Albert Bridge.
Thought I would pay a visit to St Pancras today to see what I could of the #EES I'm not travelling. Spotted that all 7 terminals near the Premier check-in weren't in use and the glass doors. E* have announced non-Premier pax won't be "invited" to do EES until next year.
October 14, 2025 at 11:15 AM
Thought I would pay a visit to St Pancras today to see what I could of the #EES I'm not travelling. Spotted that all 7 terminals near the Premier check-in weren't in use and the glass doors. E* have announced non-Premier pax won't be "invited" to do EES until next year.
Just booked my first of several journeys in Turkey on the TCDD website. Not exactly the most robust site. Payment success is best described as "wonky". Two "check payment details" to start off with. Then for no. 3 attempt (with same card) it wanted my banking app to verify.
September 9, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Just booked my first of several journeys in Turkey on the TCDD website. Not exactly the most robust site. Payment success is best described as "wonky". Two "check payment details" to start off with. Then for no. 3 attempt (with same card) it wanted my banking app to verify.
Technically not #CrossBordeRail but this was on my travels today. Nowy Świętów to Głuchołazy Miasto. Been on my to do list for ages and worked out well as a route from Poland to Olomouc. Last night stayed in Nysa. Two round trips per day, Saturday and Sunday only but all year round.
August 30, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Technically not #CrossBordeRail but this was on my travels today. Nowy Świętów to Głuchołazy Miasto. Been on my to do list for ages and worked out well as a route from Poland to Olomouc. Last night stayed in Nysa. Two round trips per day, Saturday and Sunday only but all year round.
Perhaps I'm a bit of a Google-holic, but Google Maps really ought to be the number one start point for planning city public transport. I'm 99%sure MPK Wroclaw was integrated with GM. Now they are not. Bit of a dismissive reply I thought.
August 29, 2025 at 7:13 AM
Perhaps I'm a bit of a Google-holic, but Google Maps really ought to be the number one start point for planning city public transport. I'm 99%sure MPK Wroclaw was integrated with GM. Now they are not. Bit of a dismissive reply I thought.
Not done this for many years for European trips. I'm no fan of using cash, but always needed in case you end up at a place that doesn't accept cards. My bugbear nowadays is so many ATMs are charging a user fixed fee to withdraw cash.
August 24, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Not done this for many years for European trips. I'm no fan of using cash, but always needed in case you end up at a place that doesn't accept cards. My bugbear nowadays is so many ATMs are charging a user fixed fee to withdraw cash.
I see this trial pass has just been launched. Global 7 days in a month or Italy only 4 days in a month. Includes cost of most seat res although with T&Cs. Approx extra €100 for Global pass though that will then include E*.
plus.interrail.eu/en/interrail...
@jonworth.eu @seatsixtyone.bsky.social
plus.interrail.eu/en/interrail...
@jonworth.eu @seatsixtyone.bsky.social
Interrail Plus Pass | Interrail.eu
Discover the new Interrail Plus Pass – enjoy all the benefits of our standard Pass without worrying about seat reservation fees.
plus.interrail.eu
August 14, 2025 at 4:54 PM
I see this trial pass has just been launched. Global 7 days in a month or Italy only 4 days in a month. Includes cost of most seat res although with T&Cs. Approx extra €100 for Global pass though that will then include E*.
plus.interrail.eu/en/interrail...
@jonworth.eu @seatsixtyone.bsky.social
plus.interrail.eu/en/interrail...
@jonworth.eu @seatsixtyone.bsky.social
Why is the airline industry so bad at communicating details about what has or went wrong? If this was a major issue with rail infrastructure in the UK, Network Rail would be up there and explaining and apologising.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Airlines demand answers after Air Traffic Control failure
Ten flights to and from Heathrow were cancelled on Thursday, on top of some 150 across the UK on Wednesday.
www.bbc.co.uk
July 31, 2025 at 7:14 AM
Why is the airline industry so bad at communicating details about what has or went wrong? If this was a major issue with rail infrastructure in the UK, Network Rail would be up there and explaining and apologising.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Will be exploring the effectiveness of VPNs to circumvent going through this. It's a step too far. As all I'm sure know for BS it's DMs only. Understand it may be needed for things like hobby forums which have a similar DM facility.
July 24, 2025 at 7:06 AM
Will be exploring the effectiveness of VPNs to circumvent going through this. It's a step too far. As all I'm sure know for BS it's DMs only. Understand it may be needed for things like hobby forums which have a similar DM facility.
Whilst I'm no big user of buses, just over a year to go and I get an England bus pass. Biggest benefit is not having to work out the most applicable bus fare/pass rather than the actual cost it.
Fortunately I already go free in London (after 09:00 Mon-Fri).
Fortunately I already go free in London (after 09:00 Mon-Fri).
May 10, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Whilst I'm no big user of buses, just over a year to go and I get an England bus pass. Biggest benefit is not having to work out the most applicable bus fare/pass rather than the actual cost it.
Fortunately I already go free in London (after 09:00 Mon-Fri).
Fortunately I already go free in London (after 09:00 Mon-Fri).