Tom
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tom40a.bsky.social
Tom
@tom40a.bsky.social
Train driver, former conductor with EMR. Opinions are my own and not my employers. No posts made while undertaking safety critical duties.
‘Sprinter Squadron - 158 - Express Traincrew’

These patches have been produced in support of Epilepsy Action by Northern guard Craig. Sadly they’re sold out but you can support Craig’s fundraising here:

www.justgiving.com/page/craig-s...
August 26, 2025 at 8:02 AM
I’ve not been very active on social media of late. There’s been an awful lot going on but I’m breaking my silence for a good cause.

My friend and colleague Ritch is raising money for Dementia UK and EMR have kindly donated a 158 cab ride. You can bid for it here:

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/35686714...
Pardon our interruption...eBay Home
www.ebay.co.uk
May 7, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Can anyone identify the mystery moquette on this drivers seat? Found on one of our 170s today and it’s not one I’ve seen before!

(Cab not active when photo taken)
January 20, 2025 at 8:05 PM
Last turn of the week complete. A nice easy shift with no issues.

I’m now off for a week and a half with my long weekend and an annual leave week.
January 9, 2025 at 5:31 PM
Spare this morning, but I was sent out to cover a Cleethorpes to Barton trip. It was a little bit fresh at Habrough!
January 8, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Choo choo 🚂
January 7, 2025 at 4:30 PM
I think I’ve driven through almost every type of weather we see in this country today. Also been cautioned over a malfunctioning crossing, reported minor flooding, had to pass two signals at danger due to another crossing issue and some unplanned shunting to finish off. Bed time 🥱
January 6, 2025 at 7:05 PM
Reposted by Tom
Class 153 Appreciation Post😍Legends of the UK Railway network

153329 & 153921 sit side by side at Swansea in Feb 2024
153305 at Dalmuir heading for Oban in April 2023
153356 at Nuneaton waiting to work the next Leamington shuttle in Nov 2018
153331 sat at Sheffield in Nov 2019
January 4, 2025 at 10:12 PM
The first unit of the new year, 170504 was mine for my entire 9hr 20 shift. A double Peterborough and a Doncaster.
January 3, 2025 at 10:18 PM
Happy new year to all my followers, wishing you a wonderful 2025!

My last unit of the year was 170208 on 2L81 Leicester to Lincoln.
December 31, 2024 at 11:01 PM
Not used to this view anymore.

The first part of my job has been taken by a driver manager for an assessment so it’s a pass ride instead to pick up my first of two Leicester trips.
December 31, 2024 at 1:38 PM
After a lovely Christmas it’s back to work on an amended job that has taken in Newark North Gate, Doncaster and Peterborough. My early spares this weekend have morphed into slightly later starts which is more welcome!
December 27, 2024 at 12:22 PM
Back to this day in 2020, working back from Doncaster to Lincoln with 156405.
December 18, 2024 at 6:06 PM
Beautiful skies over Newark this morning 🌅
December 17, 2024 at 2:17 PM
This morning I was 0315 standby, but I’ve picked up a whole job. Worked the 0458 to Cleethorpes, then the first trip to Barton. The return working has now been retimed to leave Barton at 0753 so we have 50 minutes standing time up here now.
December 16, 2024 at 7:17 AM
Reposted by Tom
WELL folks. Time to move my yearly Quality Street analysis over to Bluesky. And boy what a year it is in this niche confectionery world...

Some pics included of past years entries for context.
December 15, 2024 at 9:58 PM
Forgot to post this one yesterday but it was Christmas Jumper Day so I had to get out the one @bessbbe.bsky.social got me a few years ago!

Taken on my pass ride up to Cleethorpes before working a double Barton.
December 13, 2024 at 3:18 PM
It’s 3 years since the final 153 worked for EMR. It had been due to finish its night on the Barton service but had failed at Great Coates due to lack of coolant so was attached to the rear of my Grimsby to Lincoln service then taken on empty to Nottingham.
December 11, 2024 at 10:22 PM
Station I dislike: Leeds
Station I think is overrated: Bristol Temple Meads
Station I think is underrated: Hull
Station I like: Cardiff Central
Station I love: Bishopstone
Station I think deserves better: London Euston
Station I still need to visit: Glasgow Central

Station I dislike: Bristol Temple Meads
Station I think is overrated: St Pancras
Station I think is underrated: Birmingham Moor Street
Station I like: York
Station I love: Birmingham New Street
Station I think deserves better: Stratford upon Avon
Station I still need to visit: Scarborough
Station I dislike: Euston
Station I think is overrated: Eastleigh
Station I think is underrated: Tilehurst
Station I like: Crewe
Station I love: Kemble
Station I think deserves better: Didcot
Station I still need to visit: Doncaster
December 7, 2024 at 11:20 PM
On this day in 2020, a HST set overtaking us just after departure from Barrow upon Soar.
December 7, 2024 at 9:23 PM
Something new for me tonight. Covering a Nottingham depot job off standby and ended up working the 2259 Leicester - Nottingham which runs via the fast lines to East Midlands Parkway. It was a novelty getting to take a 170 up to its maximum permissible speed of 100mph.
December 6, 2024 at 12:57 AM
Back to 9 years ago when Lincoln Christmas Market was still held. We ran various extra services and I worked a special diagram made up of these. I actually remember the first half being pretty quiet but the 1602 to Cleethorpes was absolutely packed.
December 4, 2024 at 9:49 AM
Reposted by Tom
Merry December!
With Christmas fast approaching, here's a map showing who brings the presents in different British regions.
Full post with explanations of each character here:
starkeycomics.com/2019/12/24/w...

#Christmas #British #Father_Christmas #Gef_the_talking_mongoose
December 3, 2024 at 11:57 PM
Almost 5 years since I got to pretend I was a ScotRail guard for a morning. Sadly nothing like the beauty of the West Highland line but a Grimsby to Newark trip - all a bit novel!
December 1, 2024 at 9:55 PM
Always happy when I come across a picture of me driving trains - look you can see my hand 👋🏻

📷 by Keiran James
November 28, 2024 at 2:11 PM