Simon Hickman
@simonhickman.bsky.social
Old stuff. Old buildings, old trains, old landscapes, old cars. Based in South Bristol; professional inspector of historic buildings and places.
More AI model railway nonsense, where recent storms have left the 1:76 scale farmers on my foldup layout in despair
January 29, 2026 at 8:38 PM
More AI model railway nonsense, where recent storms have left the 1:76 scale farmers on my foldup layout in despair
Very much enjoying the application of ChatGPT to my model railway
January 24, 2026 at 10:50 PM
Very much enjoying the application of ChatGPT to my model railway
Lower Park Row, Bristol. Chevy Chase must be playing the Bristol Beacon this evening.
January 20, 2026 at 6:35 PM
Lower Park Row, Bristol. Chevy Chase must be playing the Bristol Beacon this evening.
Got my Mini working for the first time since 2005. Passed my driving test in this car back in 1995.
January 11, 2026 at 4:37 PM
Got my Mini working for the first time since 2005. Passed my driving test in this car back in 1995.
Having a nice rest on Boxing Day
December 26, 2025 at 8:38 AM
Having a nice rest on Boxing Day
It’s a pleasingly white Christmas here in France, an hour South of Lyon.
December 25, 2025 at 7:42 AM
It’s a pleasingly white Christmas here in France, an hour South of Lyon.
I am at my father in law’s in France and am very excited by this notification
December 24, 2025 at 3:39 PM
I am at my father in law’s in France and am very excited by this notification
This weekend sees the withdrawal of South Western Railway’s venerable class 455 units after 44 years of service. Unremarkable trains which I have a soft spot for, having used one as our wedding transport back in 2013.
December 20, 2025 at 11:42 AM
This weekend sees the withdrawal of South Western Railway’s venerable class 455 units after 44 years of service. Unremarkable trains which I have a soft spot for, having used one as our wedding transport back in 2013.
Excellent morning at the Bristol industrial Archaeology Society’s Xmas social with unusual party game called “guess the objects from Geoff Wallis's garage”.
That’s a line-belt stretcher & a Bulgarian scyther’s corn gathering tool, of course.
Meetings in Keynsham every month!
www.b-i-a-s.org.uk
That’s a line-belt stretcher & a Bulgarian scyther’s corn gathering tool, of course.
Meetings in Keynsham every month!
www.b-i-a-s.org.uk
December 13, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Excellent morning at the Bristol industrial Archaeology Society’s Xmas social with unusual party game called “guess the objects from Geoff Wallis's garage”.
That’s a line-belt stretcher & a Bulgarian scyther’s corn gathering tool, of course.
Meetings in Keynsham every month!
www.b-i-a-s.org.uk
That’s a line-belt stretcher & a Bulgarian scyther’s corn gathering tool, of course.
Meetings in Keynsham every month!
www.b-i-a-s.org.uk
Had an excellent day out in Swanage with volunteer colleagues from the Avon Valley Railway today. Held a meeting on board a steam train with the chair of the Swanage Railway Trust, to learn about their recent restructuring. Top stuff.
November 30, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Had an excellent day out in Swanage with volunteer colleagues from the Avon Valley Railway today. Held a meeting on board a steam train with the chair of the Swanage Railway Trust, to learn about their recent restructuring. Top stuff.
Went for a night walk with my daughter in Ashton Court earlier this week and stumbled into a testing of the lights for the forthcoming illuminate festival. Utterly magical - all the more so ‘cos we were the only ones there.
November 28, 2025 at 6:52 PM
Went for a night walk with my daughter in Ashton Court earlier this week and stumbled into a testing of the lights for the forthcoming illuminate festival. Utterly magical - all the more so ‘cos we were the only ones there.
Had a wander round Cheltenham today and very much enjoyed this bench plaque in Berkeley Place
November 16, 2025 at 7:50 PM
Had a wander round Cheltenham today and very much enjoyed this bench plaque in Berkeley Place
You know that times are tough when Pecorama, the best reason to visit Devon, announces its closure. Hopefully temporary?? www.pecorama.co.uk
Pecorama Public Statement: November 2025
It is with great sadness and after much soul-searching we have decided to close Pecorama, our well-loved family attraction, for the 2026 season.
www.pecorama.co.uk
November 14, 2025 at 5:25 PM
You know that times are tough when Pecorama, the best reason to visit Devon, announces its closure. Hopefully temporary?? www.pecorama.co.uk
Four Forest engines
November 2, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Four Forest engines
Tomorrow morning, Bristol Industrial Archaeology Society are hosting what promises to be a very interesting talk by Rob Pritchard on the history of Bristol's harbour. Keynsham Masonic Hall at 1030, visitors welcome! b-i-a-s.org.uk/bias-events/
Events from 11 October – 11 October – Bristol Industrial Archaeological Society
b-i-a-s.org.uk
October 10, 2025 at 6:40 PM
Tomorrow morning, Bristol Industrial Archaeology Society are hosting what promises to be a very interesting talk by Rob Pritchard on the history of Bristol's harbour. Keynsham Masonic Hall at 1030, visitors welcome! b-i-a-s.org.uk/bias-events/
Waterloo, couldn't escape if I wanted to.
Mainly because I have a station visitor's pass, and Network Rail wouldn't be pleased if I walked off with it.
I had an ace day adjudicating at the National Railway Heritage Awards. Winners to be revealed at the awards ceremony soon!
Mainly because I have a station visitor's pass, and Network Rail wouldn't be pleased if I walked off with it.
I had an ace day adjudicating at the National Railway Heritage Awards. Winners to be revealed at the awards ceremony soon!
September 22, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Waterloo, couldn't escape if I wanted to.
Mainly because I have a station visitor's pass, and Network Rail wouldn't be pleased if I walked off with it.
I had an ace day adjudicating at the National Railway Heritage Awards. Winners to be revealed at the awards ceremony soon!
Mainly because I have a station visitor's pass, and Network Rail wouldn't be pleased if I walked off with it.
I had an ace day adjudicating at the National Railway Heritage Awards. Winners to be revealed at the awards ceremony soon!
If someone could buy me this house I’d be quite grateful ~ bydesignhomes.com/properties/4...
Mid-century modern home with sea and golf course views, in need of total renovation
Elbury Hall is a striking 1960s architect-designed home with panoramic views across Torbay and backing on to Churston Golf Course. Set on a private half-acre plot, the property includes four bedrooms,...
bydesignhomes.com
September 18, 2025 at 8:31 PM
If someone could buy me this house I’d be quite grateful ~ bydesignhomes.com/properties/4...
My marvellous ex-colleagues at Historic England gave me this lovely linoprint as a leaving gift by the talented victoriawillmott.com showing some the fantastic buildings that I worked on over 20 years, Kings Cross, Wolfeton, the National Theatre….and my folding caravan. Thank you!
September 2, 2025 at 7:35 PM
My marvellous ex-colleagues at Historic England gave me this lovely linoprint as a leaving gift by the talented victoriawillmott.com showing some the fantastic buildings that I worked on over 20 years, Kings Cross, Wolfeton, the National Theatre….and my folding caravan. Thank you!
To Imberbus 2025, for the finals of the British polite queuing championships
August 16, 2025 at 7:01 PM
To Imberbus 2025, for the finals of the British polite queuing championships
Back in Bristol after a trip to the Outer Hebrides. 2000 miles driven, absolutely worth it. Bloody windy though.
August 11, 2025 at 7:32 PM
Back in Bristol after a trip to the Outer Hebrides. 2000 miles driven, absolutely worth it. Bloody windy though.
Here is a flight for Glasgow taking off from Barra airport’s runway, which is also a beach
August 5, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Here is a flight for Glasgow taking off from Barra airport’s runway, which is also a beach
South Uist. Still windy but the ability to open the car door has been regained.
August 4, 2025 at 5:40 PM
South Uist. Still windy but the ability to open the car door has been regained.
Jesus it’s windy here on South Uist. Difficult to open the front door just now
August 4, 2025 at 11:11 AM
Jesus it’s windy here on South Uist. Difficult to open the front door just now
Today is a good day to be heading for the Western Isles
August 3, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Today is a good day to be heading for the Western Isles
Paid a visit to Rannoch, one of the UK’s most remote railway stations, and bumped into @timhedleyj.bsky.social! Went for a swim on Rannoch Moor afterwards.
July 31, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Paid a visit to Rannoch, one of the UK’s most remote railway stations, and bumped into @timhedleyj.bsky.social! Went for a swim on Rannoch Moor afterwards.