Graeme Pickering
@pickgs.bsky.social
Railway Magazine Senior Correspondent. Ex-broadcast journalist and news editor. Husband. 'Dad' to a Greek cat. Aspiring novelist.
Reposted by Graeme Pickering
Northerns 769458 pauses in platform 4 at Manchester Victoria with a service for Stalybridge. I have a great fondness for these former Thameslink machines, another repurposed train still earning a living.
#Class769 #Northern #ManchesterVictoria
#Class769 #Northern #ManchesterVictoria
February 12, 2026 at 7:08 AM
Northerns 769458 pauses in platform 4 at Manchester Victoria with a service for Stalybridge. I have a great fondness for these former Thameslink machines, another repurposed train still earning a living.
#Class769 #Northern #ManchesterVictoria
#Class769 #Northern #ManchesterVictoria
Reposted by Graeme Pickering
Sammy the Swan has been rescued by the RSPCA tonight at the side of Brigg signal box and level crossing.
Sadly Sammy cannot read a train timetable, and was far too early for the 1104 Northern Railway service to Cleethorpes tomorrow morning.
Sadly Sammy cannot read a train timetable, and was far too early for the 1104 Northern Railway service to Cleethorpes tomorrow morning.
February 11, 2026 at 11:24 PM
Sammy the Swan has been rescued by the RSPCA tonight at the side of Brigg signal box and level crossing.
Sadly Sammy cannot read a train timetable, and was far too early for the 1104 Northern Railway service to Cleethorpes tomorrow morning.
Sadly Sammy cannot read a train timetable, and was far too early for the 1104 Northern Railway service to Cleethorpes tomorrow morning.
Reposted by Graeme Pickering
A view from the bridge at #ExcelLondon 10/02/26
February 11, 2026 at 7:43 PM
A view from the bridge at #ExcelLondon 10/02/26
High time national news outlets thought harder about who they give a platform to. They can't escape the fact they're helping to fuel the divisive crap of the far right when they run pieces like this. V rich man who is a resident of Monaco isn't exactly shouting 'relevant' or 'representative' to me.
'The UK has been colonised by immigrants', says INEOS boss and Man Utd co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe
'The UK has been colonised by immigrants', says INEOS boss and Man Utd co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe
Britain has been "colonised" by immigrants, who are draining resources from the state, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, one of the country's richest and most influential men, has told Sky News.
news.sky.com
February 11, 2026 at 7:25 PM
High time national news outlets thought harder about who they give a platform to. They can't escape the fact they're helping to fuel the divisive crap of the far right when they run pieces like this. V rich man who is a resident of Monaco isn't exactly shouting 'relevant' or 'representative' to me.
Now sold. Thank you. Hope the buyer has a great evening on Sat.
If you fancied going to see Suede on Saturday at Newcastle City Hall but couldn't get tickets, I've a pair back on sale on Ticketmaster as we can no longer make it. secure.ticketmaster.co.uk/rs/3E006316C31…
https://secure.ticketmaster.co.uk/rs/3E006316C31…
February 10, 2026 at 10:40 PM
Now sold. Thank you. Hope the buyer has a great evening on Sat.
If you fancied going to see Suede on Saturday at Newcastle City Hall but couldn't get tickets, I've a pair back on sale on Ticketmaster as we can no longer make it. secure.ticketmaster.co.uk/rs/3E006316C31…
https://secure.ticketmaster.co.uk/rs/3E006316C31…
February 10, 2026 at 8:35 PM
If you fancied going to see Suede on Saturday at Newcastle City Hall but couldn't get tickets, I've a pair back on sale on Ticketmaster as we can no longer make it. secure.ticketmaster.co.uk/rs/3E006316C31…
Is there seriously any more this frog-faced ghoul and his cronies can do to prove just how evil they are? Goodwin should be nowhere near any kind of public office.
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
Reform by-election candidate suggested people who don’t have kids should pay more tax
Exclusive: The Reform politician’s suggestion would ‘punish millions of women and strip them of their basic dignity to choose’, Labour’s deputy leader has warned
www.independent.co.uk
February 10, 2026 at 5:21 PM
Is there seriously any more this frog-faced ghoul and his cronies can do to prove just how evil they are? Goodwin should be nowhere near any kind of public office.
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
Reposted by Graeme Pickering
What a lot of trams. Piccadilly, Manchester, 1926 (Manchester Transport Museum Society Archive).
February 10, 2026 at 8:21 AM
What a lot of trams. Piccadilly, Manchester, 1926 (Manchester Transport Museum Society Archive).
Interestingly no mention of employers in some sectors liking WFH so much that they decided to stop offering staff jobs, relieving themselves of all the costs associated with that and of providing space and equipment for them. Thought he'd like that model.
www.lbc.co.uk/article/nige...
www.lbc.co.uk/article/nige...
Nigel Farage calls for an end to working from home | LBC
Nigel Farage has called for an end to working from home culture, because he believes it gets in the way of ‘hard work’.
www.lbc.co.uk
February 10, 2026 at 1:12 PM
Interestingly no mention of employers in some sectors liking WFH so much that they decided to stop offering staff jobs, relieving themselves of all the costs associated with that and of providing space and equipment for them. Thought he'd like that model.
www.lbc.co.uk/article/nige...
www.lbc.co.uk/article/nige...
Reposted by Graeme Pickering
The former Cornish China Clay regular 37196 (formerly ‘Tre Pol & Pen’) finds itself in the West Highland town of Kyle of Lochalsh. The loco was a regular on passenger work for a few years, eventually being withdrawn in 2000. #Class37 #Tractor #KyleOfLochalsh #Dutch
February 10, 2026 at 7:19 AM
The former Cornish China Clay regular 37196 (formerly ‘Tre Pol & Pen’) finds itself in the West Highland town of Kyle of Lochalsh. The loco was a regular on passenger work for a few years, eventually being withdrawn in 2000. #Class37 #Tractor #KyleOfLochalsh #Dutch
Reposted by Graeme Pickering
Full power! 37413 ‘Loch Eil Outward Bound’ opens up the taps and fills the air with that wonderful sound of the English Electric power unit. Seen here departing Crianlarich with the aluminium to Mossend.
#Class37 #Tractor #BritishRail #WHL #RailfreightDistribution
#Class37 #Tractor #BritishRail #WHL #RailfreightDistribution
February 8, 2026 at 7:50 AM
Full power! 37413 ‘Loch Eil Outward Bound’ opens up the taps and fills the air with that wonderful sound of the English Electric power unit. Seen here departing Crianlarich with the aluminium to Mossend.
#Class37 #Tractor #BritishRail #WHL #RailfreightDistribution
#Class37 #Tractor #BritishRail #WHL #RailfreightDistribution
Reposted by Graeme Pickering
Came across this little guy in Ely yelling his lungs out to be heard over the noise of the traffic.
February 7, 2026 at 6:52 PM
Came across this little guy in Ely yelling his lungs out to be heard over the noise of the traffic.
Reposted by Graeme Pickering
Film star Albert Finney, a bookmaker’s son from Salford, died on this day 2019, aged 82. Here he is at his dad's betting shop, Broughton Road, Salford, 1970s.
February 7, 2026 at 8:49 AM
Film star Albert Finney, a bookmaker’s son from Salford, died on this day 2019, aged 82. Here he is at his dad's betting shop, Broughton Road, Salford, 1970s.
Reposted by Graeme Pickering
Dundee 1947: The city's jute mills dominate the cityscape.
February 7, 2026 at 7:56 AM
Dundee 1947: The city's jute mills dominate the cityscape.
Reposted by Graeme Pickering
InterCity named services always peaked my interest, and probably this one more than most, the Highland Chieftain. The once a day service between London Kings Cross and Inverness. 43107 Heads the return morning service from the Highlands.
#HST #IC125 #HighlandChieftan
#HST #IC125 #HighlandChieftan
February 7, 2026 at 7:36 AM
InterCity named services always peaked my interest, and probably this one more than most, the Highland Chieftain. The once a day service between London Kings Cross and Inverness. 43107 Heads the return morning service from the Highlands.
#HST #IC125 #HighlandChieftan
#HST #IC125 #HighlandChieftan
Reposted by Graeme Pickering
Remembering Warrington-born actor Pete Postlethwaite, born on this day 1946. Films included in The Name Of The Father, Distant Voices, Still Lives and Brassed Off. Died in 2011, aged 64.
February 7, 2026 at 8:48 AM
Remembering Warrington-born actor Pete Postlethwaite, born on this day 1946. Films included in The Name Of The Father, Distant Voices, Still Lives and Brassed Off. Died in 2011, aged 64.
Reposted by Graeme Pickering
A #DB 🇩🇪 #E10 class 113 #Bügelfalte with a seasonal train from northern Germany to #Austria|n 🇦🇹 ski resorts. Picture taken in February 2002 at #Salzburg - before the station’s refurbishment. The loco (and the first carriage) still display the “orient red” livery.
#PastTrainTrips
#PastTrainTrips
February 6, 2026 at 5:27 PM
A #DB 🇩🇪 #E10 class 113 #Bügelfalte with a seasonal train from northern Germany to #Austria|n 🇦🇹 ski resorts. Picture taken in February 2002 at #Salzburg - before the station’s refurbishment. The loco (and the first carriage) still display the “orient red” livery.
#PastTrainTrips
#PastTrainTrips
Reposted by Graeme Pickering
I've a couple of feeders in my garden. The pigeons have become regulars, hoovering up spilt seed. The feeders get refilled regularly, so that the pigeons now see me as their 'provider'. Every time I go into the kitchen, this is what I see. Yesterday - wet but hopeful! #birding #birds #funny #nature
February 4, 2026 at 7:59 AM
Reposted by Graeme Pickering
February 3, 2026 at 1:21 PM
Reposted by Graeme Pickering
185103 at #Huddersfield on the 13.57 to #ManchesterPiccadilly #class185 #TransPennineExpress 03/02/26
February 3, 2026 at 4:50 PM
185103 at #Huddersfield on the 13.57 to #ManchesterPiccadilly #class185 #TransPennineExpress 03/02/26
Stratford-upon-Avon four years ago. Not the best picture, but one I just had to take when I saw the gull on top of the sign.
February 2, 2026 at 11:20 PM
Stratford-upon-Avon four years ago. Not the best picture, but one I just had to take when I saw the gull on top of the sign.
Reposted by Graeme Pickering
#MolluscMonday: ammonoids in the Ammonitico Rosso, Palermo, Sicily.
February 2, 2026 at 11:14 AM
#MolluscMonday: ammonoids in the Ammonitico Rosso, Palermo, Sicily.
Hmm, "in the coming years". The £437m deal was announced 26 months ago yet official comms are as vague as in 2024. I don't doubt Govt hand in that but even DfT should see vague at this point re: GBR's first new trains isn't shouting 'new accountable transparent era' for rail!
February 2, 2026 at 6:47 PM
Hmm, "in the coming years". The £437m deal was announced 26 months ago yet official comms are as vague as in 2024. I don't doubt Govt hand in that but even DfT should see vague at this point re: GBR's first new trains isn't shouting 'new accountable transparent era' for rail!
Reposted by Graeme Pickering
Semaphore at Kingussie. 16 June 2019. #railway #photography
February 1, 2026 at 8:21 AM
Semaphore at Kingussie. 16 June 2019. #railway #photography
Reposted by Graeme Pickering
#Snowdrops from our walk round the village this afternoon. #cheshire
January 31, 2026 at 5:17 PM
#Snowdrops from our walk round the village this afternoon. #cheshire