Simon Maarfield
@simonmaarfield.bsky.social
Eisenbahner, transport planner, rail fan, environmentalist
Reposted by Simon Maarfield
🚂 The people spoke — and won!
Thanks to #ELLET, and the assembly of the Technical Chamber of #Greece, the plan now includes a study to reopen the #Peloponneserailway, not just a bike path.
✌️ A first victory for the #train’s return!
balkaninsight.com/2025/11/06/g...
Thanks to #ELLET, and the assembly of the Technical Chamber of #Greece, the plan now includes a study to reopen the #Peloponneserailway, not just a bike path.
✌️ A first victory for the #train’s return!
balkaninsight.com/2025/11/06/g...
Greeks Hope to Ride Abandoned Scenic Railway Once Again
A Greek-Swiss initiative seeks to reopen the historic Peloponnese Railway to boost tourism and generate income for locals – but is the project really practical?
balkaninsight.com
November 12, 2025 at 2:00 PM
🚂 The people spoke — and won!
Thanks to #ELLET, and the assembly of the Technical Chamber of #Greece, the plan now includes a study to reopen the #Peloponneserailway, not just a bike path.
✌️ A first victory for the #train’s return!
balkaninsight.com/2025/11/06/g...
Thanks to #ELLET, and the assembly of the Technical Chamber of #Greece, the plan now includes a study to reopen the #Peloponneserailway, not just a bike path.
✌️ A first victory for the #train’s return!
balkaninsight.com/2025/11/06/g...
Reposted by Simon Maarfield
Aaannnndd the next round of arguments about night train subsidy (or not)
It's now possible the Basel-Malmö will not happen, as the Swiss Parliament is against the funds the government wants to allocate to it www.bazonline.ch/nachtzug-nac...
It's now possible the Basel-Malmö will not happen, as the Swiss Parliament is against the funds the government wants to allocate to it www.bazonline.ch/nachtzug-nac...
Kürzung der Subventionen gefordert: Parlamentarier wollen den SBB-Nachtzug nach Malmö nicht losfahren lassen
Eine Kommission will die 10 Millionen Franken nicht sprechen, mit denen der Bund die neue Verbindung nach Skandinavien subventionieren wollte.
www.bazonline.ch
November 12, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Aaannnndd the next round of arguments about night train subsidy (or not)
It's now possible the Basel-Malmö will not happen, as the Swiss Parliament is against the funds the government wants to allocate to it www.bazonline.ch/nachtzug-nac...
It's now possible the Basel-Malmö will not happen, as the Swiss Parliament is against the funds the government wants to allocate to it www.bazonline.ch/nachtzug-nac...
Reposted by Simon Maarfield
P.S. @monisharajesh.bsky.social has written about all of this for The Guardian www.theguardian.com/travel/2025/...
She spoke to Chris Engelsman, one of the founders of European Sleeper - and he claims the carriages for the Paris-Berlin will be from the 1990s. How? 🤨
She spoke to Chris Engelsman, one of the founders of European Sleeper - and he claims the carriages for the Paris-Berlin will be from the 1990s. How? 🤨
New sleeper service will run from Paris to Berlin next year
European Sleeper will operate the new service from March 2026, replacing the Nightjet train that is being axed next month
www.theguardian.com
November 12, 2025 at 9:37 AM
P.S. @monisharajesh.bsky.social has written about all of this for The Guardian www.theguardian.com/travel/2025/...
She spoke to Chris Engelsman, one of the founders of European Sleeper - and he claims the carriages for the Paris-Berlin will be from the 1990s. How? 🤨
She spoke to Chris Engelsman, one of the founders of European Sleeper - and he claims the carriages for the Paris-Berlin will be from the 1990s. How? 🤨
Reposted by Simon Maarfield
BREAKING: European Sleeper will start a Paris-Berlin sleeper train from 26 March 2026, after Nightjet pulls out in December.
It'll run via Brussels (with Eurostar connection from London) 3 times a week. This + existing train = Brussels-Berlin 6 times a week. www.europeansleeper.eu/paris
It'll run via Brussels (with Eurostar connection from London) 3 times a week. This + existing train = Brussels-Berlin 6 times a week. www.europeansleeper.eu/paris
November 12, 2025 at 7:16 AM
BREAKING: European Sleeper will start a Paris-Berlin sleeper train from 26 March 2026, after Nightjet pulls out in December.
It'll run via Brussels (with Eurostar connection from London) 3 times a week. This + existing train = Brussels-Berlin 6 times a week. www.europeansleeper.eu/paris
It'll run via Brussels (with Eurostar connection from London) 3 times a week. This + existing train = Brussels-Berlin 6 times a week. www.europeansleeper.eu/paris
Reposted by Simon Maarfield
Trump is incredibly unpopular here! including amongst Tory voters. What are they doing?
Conservative Shadow Culture Secretary Nigel Huddleston tells GB News that the BBC should "grovel" to Trump.
Amazing how many British 'patriots' are spending their time telling our national broadcaster to prostrate itself before a hostile foreign leader
Amazing how many British 'patriots' are spending their time telling our national broadcaster to prostrate itself before a hostile foreign leader
November 11, 2025 at 11:22 AM
Trump is incredibly unpopular here! including amongst Tory voters. What are they doing?
Reposted by Simon Maarfield
Boris Johnson says the idea that criticism of the BBC is being organised by the right is ‘complete and utter bollocks’, which makes me think there might be something in it.
November 11, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Boris Johnson says the idea that criticism of the BBC is being organised by the right is ‘complete and utter bollocks’, which makes me think there might be something in it.
Reposted by Simon Maarfield
Episode 2 of the #Schengen200 adventure across Europe now up!
THE GREAT SCHENGEN CHALLENGE Part 2: Against the clock on Europe's longest public transport journey
youtu.be/sbjp4KSyOwg
THE GREAT SCHENGEN CHALLENGE Part 2: Against the clock on Europe's longest public transport journey
youtu.be/sbjp4KSyOwg
THE GREAT SCHENGEN CHALLENGE Part 2: Against the clock on Europe's longest public transport journey
YouTube video by Travelling Turtle
youtu.be
November 11, 2025 at 6:11 PM
Episode 2 of the #Schengen200 adventure across Europe now up!
THE GREAT SCHENGEN CHALLENGE Part 2: Against the clock on Europe's longest public transport journey
youtu.be/sbjp4KSyOwg
THE GREAT SCHENGEN CHALLENGE Part 2: Against the clock on Europe's longest public transport journey
youtu.be/sbjp4KSyOwg
Reposted by Simon Maarfield
Whole fucking thing makes me sick to my stomach. An abject fucking liar, a man who lies as easily as he fucking breathes, threatening an organisation which strives for truthfulness. And plastic patriots like the Mail and Farage urging him on. Jackels.
November 11, 2025 at 7:24 AM
Whole fucking thing makes me sick to my stomach. An abject fucking liar, a man who lies as easily as he fucking breathes, threatening an organisation which strives for truthfulness. And plastic patriots like the Mail and Farage urging him on. Jackels.
Reposted by Simon Maarfield
Well, this is quite a serious allegation. I do hope the BBC shows true impartiality and investigate whether or not some of its Board members are systemically biased. www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...
BBC board member with Tory links ‘led charge’ in systemic bias claims, say insiders
Sources say Robbie Gibb amplified criticisms of Trump, Gaza and trans rights coverage, and had ‘a lot of oxygen in the room’
www.theguardian.com
November 11, 2025 at 7:34 AM
Well, this is quite a serious allegation. I do hope the BBC shows true impartiality and investigate whether or not some of its Board members are systemically biased. www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...
Reposted by Simon Maarfield
1945 the British made sure that Germanys public broadcasting system would never be taken over by an authoritarian leader again by creating a complicated federal system.
They didn’t see to that at home which has left the BBC vulnerable.
This needs to change now.
They didn’t see to that at home which has left the BBC vulnerable.
This needs to change now.
Well, this is quite a serious allegation. I do hope the BBC shows true impartiality and investigate whether or not some of its Board members are systemically biased. www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...
BBC board member with Tory links ‘led charge’ in systemic bias claims, say insiders
Sources say Robbie Gibb amplified criticisms of Trump, Gaza and trans rights coverage, and had ‘a lot of oxygen in the room’
www.theguardian.com
November 11, 2025 at 7:40 AM
1945 the British made sure that Germanys public broadcasting system would never be taken over by an authoritarian leader again by creating a complicated federal system.
They didn’t see to that at home which has left the BBC vulnerable.
This needs to change now.
They didn’t see to that at home which has left the BBC vulnerable.
This needs to change now.
Reposted by Simon Maarfield
Fahrgäste der S-Bahn #Berlin haben harte Monate hinter sich. Jetzt kündigt die #DB an, dass sie die Stellwerkstechnik auf der #Stadtbahn ab 2028 austauscht. #Bahn www.berliner-zeitung.de/mensch-metro...
Kaputte Signale bei der Berliner S-Bahn: Warum die alte Technik früher erneuert wird
Fahrgäste haben harte Monate hinter sich. Jetzt kündigt die Bahn an, dass sie die Stellwerkstechnik auf der Stadtbahn ab 2028 austauscht. Das wird Verkehrseinschränkungen mit sich bringen.
www.berliner-zeitung.de
November 10, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Fahrgäste der S-Bahn #Berlin haben harte Monate hinter sich. Jetzt kündigt die #DB an, dass sie die Stellwerkstechnik auf der #Stadtbahn ab 2028 austauscht. #Bahn www.berliner-zeitung.de/mensch-metro...
Reposted by Simon Maarfield
Robbie Gibb who cancelled a BBC investigation into Farage's Leave dot EU campaign shortly before the EU Ref
Arron Banks thanked him for it
"Robbie Gibb is being quite helpful and says he’s trying to hose it down."
- @channel4news.bsky.social in 2019
Arron Banks thanked him for it
"Robbie Gibb is being quite helpful and says he’s trying to hose it down."
- @channel4news.bsky.social in 2019
Revealed: Brexit group covered up its targeting of right-wing extremists
Brexit-backer Arron Banks repeatedly denied that Leave.EU appealed to National Front supporters - in a bid to get the BBC to drop an investigation
www.channel4.com
November 10, 2025 at 6:24 AM
Robbie Gibb who cancelled a BBC investigation into Farage's Leave dot EU campaign shortly before the EU Ref
Arron Banks thanked him for it
"Robbie Gibb is being quite helpful and says he’s trying to hose it down."
- @channel4news.bsky.social in 2019
Arron Banks thanked him for it
"Robbie Gibb is being quite helpful and says he’s trying to hose it down."
- @channel4news.bsky.social in 2019
Reposted by Simon Maarfield
2026 können die Berliner über eine wichtige Frage abstimmen: Wie soll der Verkehr in der Innenstadt aussehen? Wer nicht teilnimmt, sollte sich später nicht beschweren. #Volksbegehren #autofrei
www.berliner-zeitung.de/mensch-metro...
www.berliner-zeitung.de/mensch-metro...
Verkehrsentscheid Berlin: Abstimmung für weniger Autos in der Innenstadt geht 2026 in die entscheidende Phase
Selbst die Grünen distanzieren sich. Trotzdem sammeln Hunderte Aktivisten ab Januar Unterschriften für die nächste Etappe des Verkehrsentscheids. Was müssen Autofahrer befürchten?
www.berliner-zeitung.de
November 10, 2025 at 6:43 AM
2026 können die Berliner über eine wichtige Frage abstimmen: Wie soll der Verkehr in der Innenstadt aussehen? Wer nicht teilnimmt, sollte sich später nicht beschweren. #Volksbegehren #autofrei
www.berliner-zeitung.de/mensch-metro...
www.berliner-zeitung.de/mensch-metro...
Reposted by Simon Maarfield
1/3: Now SNCF is sabotaging its own service.
The 12:11 Paris-Hendaye has been Ouigoisée, no catering, no 1st class, baggage fees.
As a result, I've had to delete the 08:32 London-San Sebastian. Now just 1 London-San Sebastian daytime service.😢
The 12:11 Paris-Hendaye has been Ouigoisée, no catering, no 1st class, baggage fees.
As a result, I've had to delete the 08:32 London-San Sebastian. Now just 1 London-San Sebastian daytime service.😢
November 10, 2025 at 8:48 AM
1/3: Now SNCF is sabotaging its own service.
The 12:11 Paris-Hendaye has been Ouigoisée, no catering, no 1st class, baggage fees.
As a result, I've had to delete the 08:32 London-San Sebastian. Now just 1 London-San Sebastian daytime service.😢
The 12:11 Paris-Hendaye has been Ouigoisée, no catering, no 1st class, baggage fees.
As a result, I've had to delete the 08:32 London-San Sebastian. Now just 1 London-San Sebastian daytime service.😢
Reposted by Simon Maarfield
Once every 20 years or so, the director-general of the BBC is forced to resign for being insufficiently rightwing. Alastair Milne in 1987. Greg Dyke in 2004. Tim Davie in 2025. The great irony is that the BBC was in all cases profoundly biased towards established power. But just not biased enough …
November 10, 2025 at 5:44 AM
Once every 20 years or so, the director-general of the BBC is forced to resign for being insufficiently rightwing. Alastair Milne in 1987. Greg Dyke in 2004. Tim Davie in 2025. The great irony is that the BBC was in all cases profoundly biased towards established power. But just not biased enough …
Reposted by Simon Maarfield
#Berlin is making history: The world's first referendum for less car traffic in the city center will soon enter the next phase. #carfree
@ccitiesorg.bsky.social @carfreeboston.org @carfreeholyrood.bsky.social @carfreepvd.bsky.social @thewaroncars.bsky.social www.berliner-zeitung.de/mensch-metro...
@ccitiesorg.bsky.social @carfreeboston.org @carfreeholyrood.bsky.social @carfreepvd.bsky.social @thewaroncars.bsky.social www.berliner-zeitung.de/mensch-metro...
Verkehrsentscheid Berlin: Abstimmung für weniger Autos in der Innenstadt geht 2026 in die entscheidende Phase
Selbst die Grünen distanzieren sich. Trotzdem sammeln Hunderte Aktivisten ab Januar Unterschriften für die nächste Etappe des Verkehrsentscheids. Was müssen Autofahrer befürchten?
www.berliner-zeitung.de
November 9, 2025 at 5:25 PM
#Berlin is making history: The world's first referendum for less car traffic in the city center will soon enter the next phase. #carfree
@ccitiesorg.bsky.social @carfreeboston.org @carfreeholyrood.bsky.social @carfreepvd.bsky.social @thewaroncars.bsky.social www.berliner-zeitung.de/mensch-metro...
@ccitiesorg.bsky.social @carfreeboston.org @carfreeholyrood.bsky.social @carfreepvd.bsky.social @thewaroncars.bsky.social www.berliner-zeitung.de/mensch-metro...
Reposted by Simon Maarfield
The BBC is apologising for its Panorama edit. It shouldn’t. First, the narrative is true: Donald Trump *did* incite the Capitol riot. Second, the apology won’t appease those attacking it. So why not at least stand for something?
Wrote this on it earlier this week:
inews.co.uk/news/world/b...
Wrote this on it earlier this week:
inews.co.uk/news/world/b...
The BBC was right about the Capitol riots. In a sane world, Trump would be in jail
The US President faced impeachment over the violence, and in a world where Republicans had more courage, he would have been found guilty
inews.co.uk
November 9, 2025 at 7:05 AM
The BBC is apologising for its Panorama edit. It shouldn’t. First, the narrative is true: Donald Trump *did* incite the Capitol riot. Second, the apology won’t appease those attacking it. So why not at least stand for something?
Wrote this on it earlier this week:
inews.co.uk/news/world/b...
Wrote this on it earlier this week:
inews.co.uk/news/world/b...
Reposted by Simon Maarfield
Selbst die Grünen distanzieren sich. Trotzdem sammeln Hunderte Aktivisten ab Januar Unterschriften für den #Verkehrsentscheid. Was müssen Autofahrer befürchten? Fragen an die Initiative #Berlin #autofrei. www.berliner-zeitung.de/mensch-metro...
Berlin schreibt Geschichte: Volksbegehren für weniger Autoverkehr im Zentrum startet 2026
Selbst die Grünen distanzieren sich. Trotzdem sammeln Hunderte Aktivisten ab Januar Unterschriften für die nächste Etappe des Verkehrsentscheids. Was müssen Autofahrer befürchten?
www.berliner-zeitung.de
November 9, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Selbst die Grünen distanzieren sich. Trotzdem sammeln Hunderte Aktivisten ab Januar Unterschriften für den #Verkehrsentscheid. Was müssen Autofahrer befürchten? Fragen an die Initiative #Berlin #autofrei. www.berliner-zeitung.de/mensch-metro...
Reposted by Simon Maarfield
Just updating my UK-Portugal page. The 09:30 Vigo-Madrid AVE has had its 1st class & all catering removed, to become an Avlo.
It’s almost as if @Renfe is deliberately sabotaging its own service. If you want a proper train it’s 06:00 (ouch!) or 13:27 (doesn’t run Saturdays). 🤷♂️
It’s almost as if @Renfe is deliberately sabotaging its own service. If you want a proper train it’s 06:00 (ouch!) or 13:27 (doesn’t run Saturdays). 🤷♂️
November 9, 2025 at 1:03 PM
Just updating my UK-Portugal page. The 09:30 Vigo-Madrid AVE has had its 1st class & all catering removed, to become an Avlo.
It’s almost as if @Renfe is deliberately sabotaging its own service. If you want a proper train it’s 06:00 (ouch!) or 13:27 (doesn’t run Saturdays). 🤷♂️
It’s almost as if @Renfe is deliberately sabotaging its own service. If you want a proper train it’s 06:00 (ouch!) or 13:27 (doesn’t run Saturdays). 🤷♂️
Reposted by Simon Maarfield
Cutting the insulation schemes that are one of the best ways to permanently reduce energy bills for low income families would be an eyewateringly daft & counterproductive way of seeking to reduce energy bills, as well as driving up emissions & leading to mass job cuts in the insulation sector 🙄
Cutting home insulation funding will imperil UK’s climate goals, Reeves told
Energy firms and charities urge chancellor to avoid short-term fix that could also harm low-income households
www.theguardian.com
November 8, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Cutting the insulation schemes that are one of the best ways to permanently reduce energy bills for low income families would be an eyewateringly daft & counterproductive way of seeking to reduce energy bills, as well as driving up emissions & leading to mass job cuts in the insulation sector 🙄
Reposted by Simon Maarfield
Refreshing to hear this on a mainstream news programme.
A great interview from Kevin that directly addresses the issues of COPs, climate, equity and how we choose to spend our wealth as a nation. 👍
A great interview from Kevin that directly addresses the issues of COPs, climate, equity and how we choose to spend our wealth as a nation. 👍
Short interview on the BBC Today programme with Amol Rajan, discussing the upcoming Brazil COP and how the so-called “cost of living crisis” is being (mis)used by leaders and high emitters to avoid taking meaningful action on climate change.
Starts at 2.36.30. www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Starts at 2.36.30. www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Today - 07/11/2025 - BBC Sounds
News and current affairs, including Sports Desk, Weather and Thought for the Day.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 7, 2025 at 11:45 AM
Refreshing to hear this on a mainstream news programme.
A great interview from Kevin that directly addresses the issues of COPs, climate, equity and how we choose to spend our wealth as a nation. 👍
A great interview from Kevin that directly addresses the issues of COPs, climate, equity and how we choose to spend our wealth as a nation. 👍
Reposted by Simon Maarfield
New Travelling Turtle video! Delighted to be premiering episode one (of two) of our adventure across Europe, trying to make the longest possible public transport journey in the Schengen zone in 200 hours. Lots of boats, trains, buses, pastries, mountains and Grieg. #Schengen200
youtu.be/qSQapm0UyWU
youtu.be/qSQapm0UyWU
THE GREAT SCHENGEN CHALLENGE: Can I make Europe's longest public transport journey in 200 hours?
YouTube video by Travelling Turtle
youtu.be
November 4, 2025 at 6:06 PM
New Travelling Turtle video! Delighted to be premiering episode one (of two) of our adventure across Europe, trying to make the longest possible public transport journey in the Schengen zone in 200 hours. Lots of boats, trains, buses, pastries, mountains and Grieg. #Schengen200
youtu.be/qSQapm0UyWU
youtu.be/qSQapm0UyWU
Reposted by Simon Maarfield
Der tägliche Stress als Radfahrer in #Berlin. Sehr lesenswert, was Kolleginnen und Kollegen zusammengetragen haben. #ADFC
www.berliner-zeitung.de/mensch-metro...
www.berliner-zeitung.de/mensch-metro...
„Er wollte mir die Augen ausstechen“: Fahrradfahrer über krasse Erlebnisse in Berlin
Fahrradfahren in Berlin ist Stress pur und manchmal schlicht lebensgefährlich. Unsere Redakteure berichten über den alltäglichen Wahnsinn auf zwei Rädern.
www.berliner-zeitung.de
November 7, 2025 at 10:08 AM
Der tägliche Stress als Radfahrer in #Berlin. Sehr lesenswert, was Kolleginnen und Kollegen zusammengetragen haben. #ADFC
www.berliner-zeitung.de/mensch-metro...
www.berliner-zeitung.de/mensch-metro...
Reposted by Simon Maarfield
Fahrgäste sind gestresst, weil auf Strecken, die von der S-Bahn #Berlin befahren werden, Signale und Stellwerke häufig ausfallen. Jetzt reagiert das Eisenbahn-Bundesamt – und leitet Verwaltungsverfahren gegen den Infrastrukturbetreiber #DB #InfraGO ein. #VBB
www.berliner-zeitung.de/mensch-metro...
www.berliner-zeitung.de/mensch-metro...
Störungen und Ausfälle: Warum sich jetzt die Aufsichtsbehörde bei der S-Bahn Berlin einschaltet
Fahrgäste sind gestresst, weil Signale und Stellwerke häufig ausfallen. Jetzt reagiert das Eisenbahn-Bundesamt – und leitet Verwaltungsverfahren gegen den Infrastrukturbetreiber ein.
www.berliner-zeitung.de
November 6, 2025 at 12:18 PM
Fahrgäste sind gestresst, weil auf Strecken, die von der S-Bahn #Berlin befahren werden, Signale und Stellwerke häufig ausfallen. Jetzt reagiert das Eisenbahn-Bundesamt – und leitet Verwaltungsverfahren gegen den Infrastrukturbetreiber #DB #InfraGO ein. #VBB
www.berliner-zeitung.de/mensch-metro...
www.berliner-zeitung.de/mensch-metro...
Reposted by Simon Maarfield
Possible problems with Simbach 🇩🇪 - Braunau 🇦🇹 #CrossBorderRail from 2029
Line in Austria will be electrified, but into Germany won't be. So Austrian trains won't be able to run to Simbach
Could German DMUs go to Braunau instead?
Link via @tobiaswatzl.bsky.social
www.nachrichten.at/oberoesterre...
Line in Austria will be electrified, but into Germany won't be. So Austrian trains won't be able to run to Simbach
Could German DMUs go to Braunau instead?
Link via @tobiaswatzl.bsky.social
www.nachrichten.at/oberoesterre...
Keine Züge mehr über die Grenze nach Simbach? ÖBB suchen Lösungen
BRAUNAU, SIMBACH. Vorerst ist keine Elektrifizierung der Strecke nach Mühldorf (Verbindung nach München) bei den bayerischen Nachbarn geplant – das hat auch Auswirkungen auf den grenzüberschreitenden ...
www.nachrichten.at
November 6, 2025 at 9:31 AM
Possible problems with Simbach 🇩🇪 - Braunau 🇦🇹 #CrossBorderRail from 2029
Line in Austria will be electrified, but into Germany won't be. So Austrian trains won't be able to run to Simbach
Could German DMUs go to Braunau instead?
Link via @tobiaswatzl.bsky.social
www.nachrichten.at/oberoesterre...
Line in Austria will be electrified, but into Germany won't be. So Austrian trains won't be able to run to Simbach
Could German DMUs go to Braunau instead?
Link via @tobiaswatzl.bsky.social
www.nachrichten.at/oberoesterre...