Shel
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shellienic.bsky.social
Shel
@shellienic.bsky.social
Train Driver. Mum of 2. Cat Lover. Lego Builder. Growing Up is Overrated. Love to travel. My own opinions, not reflective of my employer. Photos taken safely.
Yesterday I found myself back on the coast for a short while. And yes I had a little paddle in the sea. In November. Crazy how mild the weather is for a “ber” month. #OffDutyTrainDriver #Coast #Dawlish #Devon
November 13, 2025 at 9:54 AM
As the time to head home has come, I decided to take a little walk to the River Exe this morning for some fresh air & leg stretch. A sunny & warm Exeter morning. I’m always sad to leave but I’ll be back! #OffDutyTrainDriver #Exeter #Devon #TrainTravel
November 8, 2025 at 12:18 PM
Exeter St Davids station by night is nicely illuminated. Red Cow level crossing with its attendants can be seen just in front of the platform. A cl800 GWR can be seen departing for Paddington. #ExeterStDavids #Exeter #Railway
November 8, 2025 at 12:11 PM
/1 Yesterday, I went for lunch at one of my fave spots - The Anchor at #CockwoodHarbour - it’s a 20 min walk from Starcross. Despite the inclement weather I sat outside mostly but when the rain became Biblical I retreated inside to a cosy snug. The food & beer were excellent. #OffDutyTrainDriver
November 8, 2025 at 8:21 AM
One of my happy places is the coast - so I have escaped to Devon for a couple of days. I will never tire of this view and listening to the sound of the sea. Coastal air is so uplifting.
#OffDutyTrainDriver #AnnualLeave #Dawlish #SeaAir #Seaside
November 6, 2025 at 3:50 PM
The weekends shifts were reasonable. A ‘Red Leaf’ 🍁 day on Sat made for a rather slippy drive to Lichfield, however Walsall/Wolves wasn’t too bad. A Standby Sunday saw me cover parts of 2 Wolves depot jobs culminating in parking up at Wolves. I’m now on AL for a week. #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver
November 5, 2025 at 10:15 PM
I left it a couple of days following the weekend to post the rest of my shifts last week. Fri began by fetching a 730 (3 car) from Soho Depot to B’ham. After grabbing a quick coffee I did a round trip Lich/Broms & after a break I was scheduled to do a Walsall/Wolves…
#DayInTheLife #TrainDriver
November 5, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Waking up to the news of the multiple stabbings on an #LNER train was shocking. My thoughts are with the train crew and those passengers injured & involved. No one should go to work & no one should travel on a train to then face this scenario.
#RailwayFamily
November 2, 2025 at 2:48 PM
8 years ago, at 12.05, this boy was born, making me a Mum. As we celebrate your 8th birthday today, you make me very proud of the boy you have become with an amazing smile & so kind/caring. Let’s hope #Spurs win tonight #COYS Have an amazing birthday Baxter! #OffDutyTrainDriver #Mum #BirthdayBoy
October 29, 2025 at 12:12 PM
Cheers to 2 more years! 🍻

I’m pleased to say I’ve passed my Rules/Routes & Traction knowledge 📝✅ and you’ll still find me driving trains 🚉 in the West Midlands 🛤️

Never something I take for granted & I keep on top of my rule book to make sure my knowledge stays current.
#DayInTheLife #TrainDriver
October 28, 2025 at 2:18 PM
It’s that time again! Today & tomorrow I will be put through my paces to test my knowledge base on the Railway Rules & Regulations, Personal Track Safety (PTS) and my Route & Traction Knowledge. This will be done through both written & oral methods. #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver
October 27, 2025 at 7:03 AM
And just like that it’s a wrap on cab experience 3wks for my trainee. There’s been a great insight into the role, we covered all routes, experienced disruption, depot & signaller comms. I’m very touched that he got me a card & gift - saying it’s been so inspiring for him. #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver
October 16, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Morning! Sorry for the radio silence.. I’ve still been driving but my time has been dedicated to my trainee & ensuring he has the best possible cab learning experience. He finishes with me on Thurs & returns to the classroom next week. It’s been a pleasure to have him. #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver
October 15, 2025 at 9:14 AM
What a difference a day makes! Same job as yesterday but it offered the trainee driver an insight into disruption & driving with low adhesion conditions. B’ham Intl/Rugeley & Walsall were good aside from a little slipping. Then disruption hit for the #CrossCity - ended up with a trip to #SohoDepot
October 3, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Today was the “office hours” job and I quite like it. B’ham Intl/Rugeley followed by a Walsall and finishing up with a Lichfield/Bromsgrove. Was very lovely today to meet Amy @flyingvixen.bsky.social #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver
October 2, 2025 at 8:40 PM
Catching up with y’day… we welcome October in with the maple leaves as leaf-fall season begins for us. For the next 3 weeks I have a trainee driver with me for their cab experience part of the course. Redditch/Four Oaks started the day, followed by Walsall/Wolves/Walsall. #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver
October 2, 2025 at 7:20 AM
Volunteered to work my Sunday today. This began with a Lichfield/Redditch, a break, then a Wolves/Walsall and finishing off with another Lichfield. No complaints - a good day on the iron road. #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver
September 28, 2025 at 9:34 PM
Today, I climbed the #Monument. 311 steps up (& 311 back down too!). Only courtesy of my daughter I didn’t just climb it once but twice!!1244 steps!! The view is worth it. It is said if you lie it down it points to where the Great Fire of London started in 1666. #GreatFireOfLondon #London #History
September 27, 2025 at 8:09 PM
London, Baby!
September 27, 2025 at 2:03 PM
My last (& longest!) shift of the week. My first Four Oaks was taken by a newly passed out driver on his 1st solo drive. The Redditch was expressed New St to Longbridge due to late running - arriving on time. I dropped a train-full of football fans off….
September 25, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Groundhog Day! Also an uneventful day, albeit with more restrictive signals all get the greens! Tomorrow is my last shift of the week. #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver
September 24, 2025 at 11:03 PM
On my way to work I decided to stop off at #Folklore #SuttonColdfieldRailwayStation for a coffee with a cat! 🐈‍⬛ Betty is such a lovely mouser! Couldn’t help but give her a treat or 2! Check them out on Instagram if you’re on there! #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver #CatsOfBlueSky #CoffeeWithACat
September 24, 2025 at 12:21 PM
A tad late with yesterday’s post! B’ham Intl/Rugeley to start, followed by a Redditch. A break & then a round trip Bromsgrove/Lichfield to finish the day. An uneventful day with a majority of green signals! I have the same shift today! #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver
September 24, 2025 at 12:21 PM
Today was spare due to a cancelled job. It was quiet as shifts go. I was hollered to ‘divorce’ a pair of 730/2, then after one left for London, shunt the other down the platform, wait for another 730/2 to arrive & then ‘marry’ them for another driver to take to Soho. #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver
September 22, 2025 at 8:56 PM
Sunday’s shift, began with a round trip #CrossCity - beautiful sunset this eve. View looking towards Burton with Trent Valley Box in the distance [Not an active cab], a short break & then a round trip Wolves/Walsall to end.
Sadly I killed a kitten that was on my track. #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver
September 22, 2025 at 12:02 AM