Nick Johns
@nickjohns2.bsky.social
Home is in North East Scotland. Part time Air Traffic Controller, travel addict and transport enthusiast.
@metoffice.gov.uk why no Yellow Warning for North East Scotland today? Heavy rain all day, increasingly string winds, roads flooded, branches and other debris everywhere....
October 24, 2025 at 6:09 PM
@metoffice.gov.uk why no Yellow Warning for North East Scotland today? Heavy rain all day, increasingly string winds, roads flooded, branches and other debris everywhere....
Unfortunately a lot of sad things happening in my life just now has meant no postings for a while. However, on a current short visit to Corsica I did take some time out for a brief look at the metre gauge CFC (Chemins de Fer de la Corse) at Ponte Leccia this morning.
September 6, 2025 at 10:03 PM
Unfortunately a lot of sad things happening in my life just now has meant no postings for a while. However, on a current short visit to Corsica I did take some time out for a brief look at the metre gauge CFC (Chemins de Fer de la Corse) at Ponte Leccia this morning.
@eastmidsrailway.bsky.social good start today - lots of double booked seat reservations on 1012 Nottingham to St Pancras - not impressed!
August 21, 2025 at 9:35 AM
@eastmidsrailway.bsky.social good start today - lots of double booked seat reservations on 1012 Nottingham to St Pancras - not impressed!
And off we go on another adventure with the blue team....despite the rather nice looking day, Storm Floris really beginning to make itself felt with the wind starting to get very strong.
August 4, 2025 at 11:57 AM
And off we go on another adventure with the blue team....despite the rather nice looking day, Storm Floris really beginning to make itself felt with the wind starting to get very strong.
This is Erith station, just another station on South Eastern's network...BUT today it held special significance for me. Last 2 days have been spent walking Sections 2 & 1 of the London LOOP and Erith station means I have completed all 24 sections for a grand total of 163 miles :)
July 30, 2025 at 11:11 PM
This is Erith station, just another station on South Eastern's network...BUT today it held special significance for me. Last 2 days have been spent walking Sections 2 & 1 of the London LOOP and Erith station means I have completed all 24 sections for a grand total of 163 miles :)
Now in South East London. Something different today - The Legend of the Titanic immersive (!) Experience - lots of interesting exhibits plus 360 degree cinematic effects and VR headsets to explore the ship. Brilliant! It can be found at Dock X Canada Water.
July 28, 2025 at 11:33 PM
Now in South East London. Something different today - The Legend of the Titanic immersive (!) Experience - lots of interesting exhibits plus 360 degree cinematic effects and VR headsets to explore the ship. Brilliant! It can be found at Dock X Canada Water.
Paid my first visit to Highcliffe Castle today. A very interesting place - growing up in the area, it was a ruin back then following a fire in 1967. Fascinating to see the restoration.
July 27, 2025 at 10:39 PM
Paid my first visit to Highcliffe Castle today. A very interesting place - growing up in the area, it was a ruin back then following a fire in 1967. Fascinating to see the restoration.
Went to the New Milton Model Railway Exhibition today at Arnewood School - not only to see the layouts but also to have a "neb" at the school I spent 5 years at :) Surprised at how familiar it felt even after all this time...
July 26, 2025 at 10:50 PM
Went to the New Milton Model Railway Exhibition today at Arnewood School - not only to see the layouts but also to have a "neb" at the school I spent 5 years at :) Surprised at how familiar it felt even after all this time...
Road trip continues....passing Mottisfont and Dunbridge on the edge of the New Forest coincided fortuitously with a Wentloog to MCT Freightliner with 66951 leadingvfollowed a few minutes later by Network Rail's Measurement Train.
July 24, 2025 at 11:41 PM
Road trip continues....passing Mottisfont and Dunbridge on the edge of the New Forest coincided fortuitously with a Wentloog to MCT Freightliner with 66951 leadingvfollowed a few minutes later by Network Rail's Measurement Train.
Currently on a bit of a road trip round Britain - visiting friends & family but with a certain goal in mind to finish next week - to be revealed in due course! Today was spent largely in Chester. I had forgotten what a lovely city it is, starting at the Cathedral.
July 23, 2025 at 9:37 PM
Currently on a bit of a road trip round Britain - visiting friends & family but with a certain goal in mind to finish next week - to be revealed in due course! Today was spent largely in Chester. I had forgotten what a lovely city it is, starting at the Cathedral.
Fantastic day out at the Tall Ships in Aberdeen Harbour! A real buzz and positive vibe around the city which is great to see. Very well organised from transport to access to constant waste collection - well done!
July 21, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Fantastic day out at the Tall Ships in Aberdeen Harbour! A real buzz and positive vibe around the city which is great to see. Very well organised from transport to access to constant waste collection - well done!
1/3 Had a great day out today, meeting up with Steve Melia at Inverkeithing station, walking a short way along the Fife Coastal Path to North Queensferry then over the old Forth Road Bridge to South Queensferry and finally to Dalmeny station.
June 30, 2025 at 10:51 PM
1/3 Had a great day out today, meeting up with Steve Melia at Inverkeithing station, walking a short way along the Fife Coastal Path to North Queensferry then over the old Forth Road Bridge to South Queensferry and finally to Dalmeny station.
Rail Adventure operated a 2 coach HST from Mid Norfolk Railway to Kyle of Lochalsh today. Allegedly some filming in connection with a Harry Potter film/tv series. Seen here passing Inverurie, with a bonus Scotrail HST shortly after.
June 11, 2025 at 2:40 PM
Rail Adventure operated a 2 coach HST from Mid Norfolk Railway to Kyle of Lochalsh today. Allegedly some filming in connection with a Harry Potter film/tv series. Seen here passing Inverurie, with a bonus Scotrail HST shortly after.
Special day today....39 Years ago this wonderful lady became my wife. To celebrate, we took a ride on the Strathspey Railway including Afternoon Tea in the Chairman's Saloon as we rode up to Broomhill and back - a magical experience!
April 12, 2025 at 11:06 PM
Special day today....39 Years ago this wonderful lady became my wife. To celebrate, we took a ride on the Strathspey Railway including Afternoon Tea in the Chairman's Saloon as we rode up to Broomhill and back - a magical experience!
Took advantage of the good weather last week and spent a few days down in western Perthshire. Mostly walking but had time to capture 6E45 Fort William Alcan to Blyth empties with GBRF 66740 in charge climbing the last stretch to County March Summit with the backdrop of Beinn Dorain.
April 8, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Took advantage of the good weather last week and spent a few days down in western Perthshire. Mostly walking but had time to capture 6E45 Fort William Alcan to Blyth empties with GBRF 66740 in charge climbing the last stretch to County March Summit with the backdrop of Beinn Dorain.
Rome next - Termini, Tuscolana and Tiburtina. As expected freight was non-existant but some interesting stuff nonetheless. Still scratching my head a bit as to why Tiburtina has 28 platforms but rarely more than 5 or 6 occupied simultaneously...
March 19, 2025 at 9:55 PM
Rome next - Termini, Tuscolana and Tiburtina. As expected freight was non-existant but some interesting stuff nonetheless. Still scratching my head a bit as to why Tiburtina has 28 platforms but rarely more than 5 or 6 occupied simultaneously...
A day round the Milano Suburban Network - warm but increasingly wet. Plenty of rail variety - both passenger and freight, including a pink Vectron...
March 19, 2025 at 2:24 PM
A day round the Milano Suburban Network - warm but increasingly wet. Plenty of rail variety - both passenger and freight, including a pink Vectron...
Solo trip to Italy for 5 days of trains, trains and more trains! Previously, flights would have been with British Airways but seeing as they no longer value my loyalty, it's a switch to KLM/Skyteam from now on. So far quite happy...
March 13, 2025 at 9:10 AM
Solo trip to Italy for 5 days of trains, trains and more trains! Previously, flights would have been with British Airways but seeing as they no longer value my loyalty, it's a switch to KLM/Skyteam from now on. So far quite happy...
A Fantastic week on the Cote d'Azur based in Nice.... The Pass Sud Azur Explore is great value for getting around the area on TER trains, Lignes d'Azur Trams and all buses across the region. As well as the hotspots along the coast, the inland hilltop villages are stunning.
February 23, 2025 at 6:29 PM
A Fantastic week on the Cote d'Azur based in Nice.... The Pass Sud Azur Explore is great value for getting around the area on TER trains, Lignes d'Azur Trams and all buses across the region. As well as the hotspots along the coast, the inland hilltop villages are stunning.
A walk round the Monaco F1 Circuit...the climb up from Ste Devote is much steeper in real life..I will always call the Hairpin Loews...into the Tunnel and the final corner at La Rascasse..
February 19, 2025 at 11:20 AM
A walk round the Monaco F1 Circuit...the climb up from Ste Devote is much steeper in real life..I will always call the Hairpin Loews...into the Tunnel and the final corner at La Rascasse..
Got my first ride on an SWR "Arterio" yesterday. These will be transformational when they ever manage to get them all in service....
January 25, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Got my first ride on an SWR "Arterio" yesterday. These will be transformational when they ever manage to get them all in service....
Contrasts of the Clyde Arc - sub zero Friday evening, ice on the river and barely a Ripple to be seen followed by a beautiful sunrise on Sunday.
January 13, 2025 at 8:34 PM
Contrasts of the Clyde Arc - sub zero Friday evening, ice on the river and barely a Ripple to be seen followed by a beautiful sunrise on Sunday.
4 Tractors in one day....ROG 37901 & 37218 Top n tail 175103 en route Landore to Ely and Colas 37402 & 27057 with the Overhead Line Inspection train from Derby to Taff Vale sidings - both at Cardiff Central 07/01/25
January 8, 2025 at 8:50 AM
4 Tractors in one day....ROG 37901 & 37218 Top n tail 175103 en route Landore to Ely and Colas 37402 & 27057 with the Overhead Line Inspection train from Derby to Taff Vale sidings - both at Cardiff Central 07/01/25
First flight of 2025 and continuing the run of delays - only 85 mins this time....but a beautiful day up our end of the country though!
Add in the kick in teeth delivered by BA over the Executive Club a few days ago my future flying will be increasingly Blue.
Add in the kick in teeth delivered by BA over the Executive Club a few days ago my future flying will be increasingly Blue.
January 4, 2025 at 7:08 PM
First flight of 2025 and continuing the run of delays - only 85 mins this time....but a beautiful day up our end of the country though!
Add in the kick in teeth delivered by BA over the Executive Club a few days ago my future flying will be increasingly Blue.
Add in the kick in teeth delivered by BA over the Executive Club a few days ago my future flying will be increasingly Blue.