Daniel Puddicombe
@danielonrails.bsky.social
Freelance journalist: Mostly write about trains and cars. Paloma Faith enthusiast and a snooker anorak as well. Email: daniel@danielpuddicombe.com. Own views.
That’s #WTMLDN done for another year. 17 formal meetings over two days, countless catch ups with contacts / friends old and new, too many hot chocolates drunk, one very frazzled brain.
Same time next year?
(There’s also the one tourist board that still will not engage (IYKYK))
Same time next year?
(There’s also the one tourist board that still will not engage (IYKYK))
November 5, 2025 at 7:00 PM
That’s #WTMLDN done for another year. 17 formal meetings over two days, countless catch ups with contacts / friends old and new, too many hot chocolates drunk, one very frazzled brain.
Same time next year?
(There’s also the one tourist board that still will not engage (IYKYK))
Same time next year?
(There’s also the one tourist board that still will not engage (IYKYK))
A superb time seeing The Last Dinner Party (twice) last night in Southampton.
Second show was unhinged - among other things, Abi (on her birthday) ended up chugging half a bottle of vodka during This is the Killer.
A brilliant band live - and the new album is ace. @tldparchives.bsky.social
Second show was unhinged - among other things, Abi (on her birthday) ended up chugging half a bottle of vodka during This is the Killer.
A brilliant band live - and the new album is ace. @tldparchives.bsky.social
October 20, 2025 at 8:00 AM
A superb time seeing The Last Dinner Party (twice) last night in Southampton.
Second show was unhinged - among other things, Abi (on her birthday) ended up chugging half a bottle of vodka during This is the Killer.
A brilliant band live - and the new album is ace. @tldparchives.bsky.social
Second show was unhinged - among other things, Abi (on her birthday) ended up chugging half a bottle of vodka during This is the Killer.
A brilliant band live - and the new album is ace. @tldparchives.bsky.social
Pocinho can now be added onto a long list of places that I’ve technically been to but haven’t ventured beyond the station…
September 21, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Pocinho can now be added onto a long list of places that I’ve technically been to but haven’t ventured beyond the station…
For those not in the know: Class 1400 diesels date from the 1960s and were designed by English Electric. Effectively an Iberian gauge Class 20.
September 21, 2025 at 3:28 PM
For those not in the know: Class 1400 diesels date from the 1960s and were designed by English Electric. Effectively an Iberian gauge Class 20.
Back on the Douro Valley Line this afternoon to cover the route in full to Pocinho and to bash 1400s. Glorious weather and a return ticket from Porto bought at the station 20mins prior to departure cost just €26. Bargain!
September 21, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Back on the Douro Valley Line this afternoon to cover the route in full to Pocinho and to bash 1400s. Glorious weather and a return ticket from Porto bought at the station 20mins prior to departure cost just €26. Bargain!
Didn’t have “be capped and cheered off a train by its staff” on my 2025 bingo card but the 135 year old Comboio Presidencial is rather special…
September 20, 2025 at 9:32 PM
Didn’t have “be capped and cheered off a train by its staff” on my 2025 bingo card but the 135 year old Comboio Presidencial is rather special…
Travelling aboard Comboio Presidencial - Portugal’s 125 year old former presidential train - from Porto through the Douro Valley in lovely sunshine today. There’s the added bonus of haulage behind a 1960s English Electric 1400-class diesel…
September 20, 2025 at 12:55 PM
Travelling aboard Comboio Presidencial - Portugal’s 125 year old former presidential train - from Porto through the Douro Valley in lovely sunshine today. There’s the added bonus of haulage behind a 1960s English Electric 1400-class diesel…
Arrived 15mins early into New Orleans; I’m guessing there’s a lot of slack in the schedule.
September 15, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Arrived 15mins early into New Orleans; I’m guessing there’s a lot of slack in the schedule.
#TravelbyTrain Gulf Mexico in the morning sunshine edition.
September 15, 2025 at 1:31 PM
#TravelbyTrain Gulf Mexico in the morning sunshine edition.
“Ladies and gentlemen, you might want to keep your eyes peeled for dolphins” is not a train announcement that occurs in the UK.
September 15, 2025 at 12:34 PM
“Ladies and gentlemen, you might want to keep your eyes peeled for dolphins” is not a train announcement that occurs in the UK.
I know there are bigger issues in the world right now but yesterday I took a tour along Mobile River. I saw SS United States, mid decommissioning. What an utter waste of America’s shipping heritage that it is going to be sunk off the coast of Florida to create a reef.
September 15, 2025 at 12:15 PM
I know there are bigger issues in the world right now but yesterday I took a tour along Mobile River. I saw SS United States, mid decommissioning. What an utter waste of America’s shipping heritage that it is going to be sunk off the coast of Florida to create a reef.
Starting the day from Mobile with a run on Amtrak’s Train 23, the westbound Mardi Gras Service.
September 15, 2025 at 11:36 AM
Starting the day from Mobile with a run on Amtrak’s Train 23, the westbound Mardi Gras Service.
Didn’t take a photo last night as it was dark, so here’s Train 24 arriving into Mobile this morning.
Locals have really taken the launch of Mardi Gras Service to heart - there was a lady handing out Visit Mobile bags to passengers. It’s so refreshing to see this enthusiasm.
Locals have really taken the launch of Mardi Gras Service to heart - there was a lady handing out Visit Mobile bags to passengers. It’s so refreshing to see this enthusiasm.
September 14, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Didn’t take a photo last night as it was dark, so here’s Train 24 arriving into Mobile this morning.
Locals have really taken the launch of Mardi Gras Service to heart - there was a lady handing out Visit Mobile bags to passengers. It’s so refreshing to see this enthusiasm.
Locals have really taken the launch of Mardi Gras Service to heart - there was a lady handing out Visit Mobile bags to passengers. It’s so refreshing to see this enthusiasm.
Volume up for the video of the arrival - plenty of tones!
September 14, 2025 at 12:00 AM
Volume up for the video of the arrival - plenty of tones!
Didn’t have “shout at moronic Americans to get off the track mins before my train was due” on my bingo card but after a nice day in Bay St Louis it’s time to carry on to Mobile aboard Train 25.
September 14, 2025 at 12:00 AM
Didn’t have “shout at moronic Americans to get off the track mins before my train was due” on my bingo card but after a nice day in Bay St Louis it’s time to carry on to Mobile aboard Train 25.
#TravelbyTrain Mississippi in the morning edition.
September 13, 2025 at 1:40 PM
#TravelbyTrain Mississippi in the morning edition.
Travelling on Amtrak’s new Mardi Gras Service today. A few weeks ago trains resumed between New Orleans and Mobile after a 20 year Hurricane Katrina-induced hiatus. And already services are selling out, which is great to see. 🎉
September 13, 2025 at 12:35 PM
Travelling on Amtrak’s new Mardi Gras Service today. A few weeks ago trains resumed between New Orleans and Mobile after a 20 year Hurricane Katrina-induced hiatus. And already services are selling out, which is great to see. 🎉
I’m in New Orleans at the moment. The city is home to the world’s oldest continuously running Streetcar line in the world. These 102 year old machines run 24/7 and are great fun to ride aboard. Had a fascinating look around RTA’s depot, too.
September 12, 2025 at 9:49 PM
I’m in New Orleans at the moment. The city is home to the world’s oldest continuously running Streetcar line in the world. These 102 year old machines run 24/7 and are great fun to ride aboard. Had a fascinating look around RTA’s depot, too.
Cancun-bound aboard Tren Maya today. Merida’s station is very impressive, even if it is nowhere near the city centre.
(The less says about the truly awful boarding experience, the better!)
(The less says about the truly awful boarding experience, the better!)
September 9, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Cancun-bound aboard Tren Maya today. Merida’s station is very impressive, even if it is nowhere near the city centre.
(The less says about the truly awful boarding experience, the better!)
(The less says about the truly awful boarding experience, the better!)
Plodding my way to Cancun over the next few days using (Army-owned) Tren Maya. The station at Palenque is huge, brand new and very airy. Impressive stuff.
September 7, 2025 at 5:35 PM
Plodding my way to Cancun over the next few days using (Army-owned) Tren Maya. The station at Palenque is huge, brand new and very airy. Impressive stuff.
Yesterday was rather full-on and there is zero mobile phone signal along the route (which, like Line Z, is really scenic). Anyway, here’s a shot of the HST arriving into Palenque yesterday afternoon:
September 7, 2025 at 12:16 PM
Yesterday was rather full-on and there is zero mobile phone signal along the route (which, like Line Z, is really scenic). Anyway, here’s a shot of the HST arriving into Palenque yesterday afternoon:
This is getting stranger and stranger. Walking through a TSO and my phone automatically connected to XC’s wifi network.
September 6, 2025 at 2:03 PM
This is getting stranger and stranger. Walking through a TSO and my phone automatically connected to XC’s wifi network.
This is so strange - and the main reason for coming to Mexico. Sat in a former GWR first class Mk3 for the journey between Coatzacoalcos and Palenque. Since 2023 HSTs have been running on the line. It’ll be surreal to travel through a jungle on a HST…
September 6, 2025 at 1:16 PM
This is so strange - and the main reason for coming to Mexico. Sat in a former GWR first class Mk3 for the journey between Coatzacoalcos and Palenque. Since 2023 HSTs have been running on the line. It’ll be surreal to travel through a jungle on a HST…
Arrival into Coatzacoalcos earlier. It’s a really scenic line and a surprised me how twisty the route is. Tomorrow I catch up with an old friend from the UK…
September 6, 2025 at 12:21 AM
Arrival into Coatzacoalcos earlier. It’s a really scenic line and a surprised me how twisty the route is. Tomorrow I catch up with an old friend from the UK…
After a few days in Mexico City being a tourist, it’s back to trains and I’m travelling on Tren Interoceánico between Salina Cruz on the Pacific and Coatzacoalcos on the Gulf of Mexico. Interesting stock - ex Amtrak Amfleet I carriages and US freight locos that have been exported.
September 5, 2025 at 3:47 PM
After a few days in Mexico City being a tourist, it’s back to trains and I’m travelling on Tren Interoceánico between Salina Cruz on the Pacific and Coatzacoalcos on the Gulf of Mexico. Interesting stock - ex Amtrak Amfleet I carriages and US freight locos that have been exported.