Howard Taylor
@highspeed-h.bsky.social
Proud Yorkshireman, man of many pies (mainly meat) former Black Rat, now travelling the rails of HS1.
An obligatory visit is completed, so it's time to head back down south....
December 1, 2025 at 10:20 AM
An obligatory visit is completed, so it's time to head back down south....
Heading north to "Gods Own County".
I think I'll take the one on the left this time....
I think I'll take the one on the left this time....
December 1, 2025 at 6:59 AM
Heading north to "Gods Own County".
I think I'll take the one on the left this time....
I think I'll take the one on the left this time....
Making good use of my Cover shift tonight by updating my diary with the new shifts from mid December.
Noted up to January 2027, and yes I know it will probably change next May and December, but the rest days won't change , just the actual shift times.
Noted up to January 2027, and yes I know it will probably change next May and December, but the rest days won't change , just the actual shift times.
November 28, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Making good use of my Cover shift tonight by updating my diary with the new shifts from mid December.
Noted up to January 2027, and yes I know it will probably change next May and December, but the rest days won't change , just the actual shift times.
Noted up to January 2027, and yes I know it will probably change next May and December, but the rest days won't change , just the actual shift times.
Nottingham Station - Clifton South ✅
That completes the Nottingham Express Transit system for me.
That completes the Nottingham Express Transit system for me.
November 19, 2025 at 12:28 PM
Nottingham Station - Clifton South ✅
That completes the Nottingham Express Transit system for me.
That completes the Nottingham Express Transit system for me.
In my quest to ✅ off the longest scheduled journey on each rail/metro/tram operator, it was the turn of the Docklands Light Railway.
0816 Bank to Woolwich Arsenal
At 8mi 73ch it's not vast by any means, but it's still the longest, and that's what matters.
0816 Bank to Woolwich Arsenal
At 8mi 73ch it's not vast by any means, but it's still the longest, and that's what matters.
November 11, 2025 at 4:26 PM
In my quest to ✅ off the longest scheduled journey on each rail/metro/tram operator, it was the turn of the Docklands Light Railway.
0816 Bank to Woolwich Arsenal
At 8mi 73ch it's not vast by any means, but it's still the longest, and that's what matters.
0816 Bank to Woolwich Arsenal
At 8mi 73ch it's not vast by any means, but it's still the longest, and that's what matters.
Today's longest TOC journey was with Hull Trains.
1A92 0753 Beverley - London Kings Cross
213mi 43ch
With 802303 to Hull, and the 802303+802304 to London
Two journeys each way, Monday - Saturday, one return trip on Sunday's.
1A92 0753 Beverley - London Kings Cross
213mi 43ch
With 802303 to Hull, and the 802303+802304 to London
Two journeys each way, Monday - Saturday, one return trip on Sunday's.
November 7, 2025 at 5:37 PM
Today's longest TOC journey was with Hull Trains.
1A92 0753 Beverley - London Kings Cross
213mi 43ch
With 802303 to Hull, and the 802303+802304 to London
Two journeys each way, Monday - Saturday, one return trip on Sunday's.
1A92 0753 Beverley - London Kings Cross
213mi 43ch
With 802303 to Hull, and the 802303+802304 to London
Two journeys each way, Monday - Saturday, one return trip on Sunday's.
Spent the day expiring the Nottingham Express Transit (NET) tram system.
Branches to Phoenix Park, Hucknall and Toton Lane all ticked off.
I'll leave Clifton South for another day.
Branches to Phoenix Park, Hucknall and Toton Lane all ticked off.
I'll leave Clifton South for another day.
October 29, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Spent the day expiring the Nottingham Express Transit (NET) tram system.
Branches to Phoenix Park, Hucknall and Toton Lane all ticked off.
I'll leave Clifton South for another day.
Branches to Phoenix Park, Hucknall and Toton Lane all ticked off.
I'll leave Clifton South for another day.
Hellifield - Clitheroe ✅
Finally managed to clear this stretch of track, available as two round trips from Rochdale to Ribblehead on Saturdays only on the “Yorkshire Dales Explorer”.
This would be so much better as a daily service. A much quicker route From Manchester to the Dales then via Leeds
Finally managed to clear this stretch of track, available as two round trips from Rochdale to Ribblehead on Saturdays only on the “Yorkshire Dales Explorer”.
This would be so much better as a daily service. A much quicker route From Manchester to the Dales then via Leeds
October 18, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Hellifield - Clitheroe ✅
Finally managed to clear this stretch of track, available as two round trips from Rochdale to Ribblehead on Saturdays only on the “Yorkshire Dales Explorer”.
This would be so much better as a daily service. A much quicker route From Manchester to the Dales then via Leeds
Finally managed to clear this stretch of track, available as two round trips from Rochdale to Ribblehead on Saturdays only on the “Yorkshire Dales Explorer”.
This would be so much better as a daily service. A much quicker route From Manchester to the Dales then via Leeds
Couple of wins today.
Glenrothes with Thornton to Thornton South Junction
2K08 0750 Glenrothes with Thornton to Edinburgh (only one service each way on weekdays via Kirkcaldy).
Followed by:-
Thornton North Junction to Leven
Glenrothes with Thornton to Thornton South Junction
2K08 0750 Glenrothes with Thornton to Edinburgh (only one service each way on weekdays via Kirkcaldy).
Followed by:-
Thornton North Junction to Leven
October 6, 2025 at 10:19 AM
Couple of wins today.
Glenrothes with Thornton to Thornton South Junction
2K08 0750 Glenrothes with Thornton to Edinburgh (only one service each way on weekdays via Kirkcaldy).
Followed by:-
Thornton North Junction to Leven
Glenrothes with Thornton to Thornton South Junction
2K08 0750 Glenrothes with Thornton to Edinburgh (only one service each way on weekdays via Kirkcaldy).
Followed by:-
Thornton North Junction to Leven
Finally got to ride the "Clockwork Orange" Full loop, inner and outer circles on a very busy Sunday in Glasgow. Surely there is a business case for this running beyond 1830 on a Sunday?
October 5, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Finally got to ride the "Clockwork Orange" Full loop, inner and outer circles on a very busy Sunday in Glasgow. Surely there is a business case for this running beyond 1830 on a Sunday?
Never forgotten....
September 11, 2025 at 8:58 AM
Never forgotten....
It's a triple Faversham - St Pancras shift, and I've 395011 for the whole day.....
It would appear that it is as shocked as I am.....😮😁
#HighSpeed
It would appear that it is as shocked as I am.....😮😁
#HighSpeed
August 29, 2025 at 7:32 AM
It's a triple Faversham - St Pancras shift, and I've 395011 for the whole day.....
It would appear that it is as shocked as I am.....😮😁
#HighSpeed
It would appear that it is as shocked as I am.....😮😁
#HighSpeed
Little, and I mean little, track bash using the curve from Harbour City to Broadway means I've completed the Manchester Metrolink (Bee Network) tram network.
Had to wait months for the city centre roadworks to be completed as everything went via MediaCityUK instead.
Had to wait months for the city centre roadworks to be completed as everything went via MediaCityUK instead.
August 22, 2025 at 11:42 AM
Little, and I mean little, track bash using the curve from Harbour City to Broadway means I've completed the Manchester Metrolink (Bee Network) tram network.
Had to wait months for the city centre roadworks to be completed as everything went via MediaCityUK instead.
Had to wait months for the city centre roadworks to be completed as everything went via MediaCityUK instead.
ScotRail 158702 crosses the Clachnaharry Swing Bridge over the Caledonian Canal on the 1831 Inverness to Wick
July 28, 2025 at 7:30 PM
ScotRail 158702 crosses the Clachnaharry Swing Bridge over the Caledonian Canal on the 1831 Inverness to Wick
July 28, 2025 at 11:38 AM
July 28, 2025 at 10:13 AM
July 27, 2025 at 9:41 PM
Raw power, albeit asleep, either end of a test train in the sidings at Doncaster
July 25, 2025 at 12:50 PM
Raw power, albeit asleep, either end of a test train in the sidings at Doncaster
Brilliant night - just brilliant!
July 24, 2025 at 10:18 PM
Brilliant night - just brilliant!
Due to disruption, we ran nonstop through Stratford International this evening.
Not something we do very often when in service.
1J61 1849 Margate - St Pancras
Not something we do very often when in service.
1J61 1849 Margate - St Pancras
July 21, 2025 at 8:04 PM
Due to disruption, we ran nonstop through Stratford International this evening.
Not something we do very often when in service.
1J61 1849 Margate - St Pancras
Not something we do very often when in service.
1J61 1849 Margate - St Pancras
The Inspiration Train at Margate yesterday
July 21, 2025 at 8:02 PM
The Inspiration Train at Margate yesterday
I'm armed with a coffee, so it's time for a quick trip on ECS to Gravesend before we go in service to Maidstone West.
395017
5T95 0648 St Pancras - Gravesend
Then.....
1T96 0712 Gravesend - Maidstone West
1T95 0754 Maidstone West - St Pancras
#HighSpeed #OBM #TrainLife
395017
5T95 0648 St Pancras - Gravesend
Then.....
1T96 0712 Gravesend - Maidstone West
1T95 0754 Maidstone West - St Pancras
#HighSpeed #OBM #TrainLife
July 18, 2025 at 5:49 AM
I'm armed with a coffee, so it's time for a quick trip on ECS to Gravesend before we go in service to Maidstone West.
395017
5T95 0648 St Pancras - Gravesend
Then.....
1T96 0712 Gravesend - Maidstone West
1T95 0754 Maidstone West - St Pancras
#HighSpeed #OBM #TrainLife
395017
5T95 0648 St Pancras - Gravesend
Then.....
1T96 0712 Gravesend - Maidstone West
1T95 0754 Maidstone West - St Pancras
#HighSpeed #OBM #TrainLife
1L15 0622 Faversham - St Pancras via Ramsgate and Dover.
395003 provides the power.
#HighSpeed #OBM #trainlife
395003 provides the power.
#HighSpeed #OBM #trainlife
July 15, 2025 at 5:56 AM
1L15 0622 Faversham - St Pancras via Ramsgate and Dover.
395003 provides the power.
#HighSpeed #OBM #trainlife
395003 provides the power.
#HighSpeed #OBM #trainlife
Today's little track bash was on BeeNetwork trams from:-
St Werburgh's Road - Manchester Airport
Just one little curve left to finish the whole network, which will have to wait until the city centre roadworks are completed.
St Werburgh's Road - Manchester Airport
Just one little curve left to finish the whole network, which will have to wait until the city centre roadworks are completed.
July 2, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Today's little track bash was on BeeNetwork trams from:-
St Werburgh's Road - Manchester Airport
Just one little curve left to finish the whole network, which will have to wait until the city centre roadworks are completed.
St Werburgh's Road - Manchester Airport
Just one little curve left to finish the whole network, which will have to wait until the city centre roadworks are completed.
Can't believe I've just been asked to turn down the Aircon on the train as it's too cold!!!!! 🥶
I think the look on all the other passengers said it all....🥵😯
I think the look on all the other passengers said it all....🥵😯
kyle from south park says oh come on
ALT: kyle from south park says oh come on
media.tenor.com
June 22, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Can't believe I've just been asked to turn down the Aircon on the train as it's too cold!!!!! 🥶
I think the look on all the other passengers said it all....🥵😯
I think the look on all the other passengers said it all....🥵😯