Train Lady πβ₯οΈ Freight Driver on the South Coast. Award winning author, illustrator, columnist, fundraiser and lover of all dogs. Bubblegum Train Driver π
6 years ago today, I worked my first train as a trainee guard. πΊ
6 hours ago today, I drove my first train as a trainee driver. π
Now thatβs an easy date to remember!
I am absolutely blown away by all the kind words from old and new friends alike π
Thank you all so much for being a part of such a fantastic day, youβve all made it that extra bit special.
I love sharing this journey with you. π π
Iβve only been driving trains for 10 days, and they have been the most fun 10 days of my life. π
I just cannot believe Iβm finally here, finally doing it, for real, and Iβm loving it and - somebody stop me, Iβm going to cry. π₯°
Forever grateful to those that made it happen β€οΈ
Look ma! No DI!
I drove my first train all on my lonesome today, and it was the best feeling in the world π π
4O32 on 66719 - I will never forget you
Somewhere on Wessex Route right now, a certain
#FreightTrain
is being driven expertly, and to time, towards their relieving point by an absolute champ who Iβm so proud of. Canβt wait to see how itβs gone in about 30 mins! π
This time last year, I'd begun my secondment as an Information Controller at the ROC in Romford. I loved that job for many reasons but this was my favourite:
I absolutely loved spending the day with
@PaulCliftonBBC
and crew. I loved even more that I was given this opportunity to share my adoration for the brilliant industry I work in. Thank you all for being so supportive! Arlo canβt believe heβs been on telly too! 𦑠β€οΈ
Meet Bessie.
@bessbbe
is fab: a hugely enthusiastic
@RailFreight
driver who wants to encourage more women train drivers. She's a great cheerleader for rail. Oh, and she has written a lovely book for children. She's on
@BBCSouthNews
later too.
βοΈ Fun facts about the class 66 βοΈ
β’ A 66 has 1.486billion mouse power.
β’ The fuel tank can hold up to 390,243 cups of coffee (just enough to get the average driver through a shift)
β’ The class 66 has two ends, but no beginning.
β’Although noseless, a 66 has 2 bogies.
The Queen and 007 meet at Oxford.
66734 "Platinum Jubilee" stops next to 70007 for it's driver to change ends and head back into Hinksey yard.
I on the other hand am held indefinitely due to a broken down train π (not mine!)
What a NIGHT! I am so honoured to have been nominated, shortlisted and then winner (!!!) of the Rail Person of the Year award at the
@RailStaffAwards
. The amount of love and support
@ArloAdventures
and I have received has been otherworldly. I am beaming!
Met by my little dad π₯°
So chuffed to have done it. Never again π
Thank you for all the support, well wishes, motivational messages, and for getting me over my Β£2k goal for
@samaritans
!
#LondonMarathon2024
My last shift of 2023, and what a brilliant one it was π₯°
Happy New Year to you all β€οΈ I canβt thank you enough for sticking around and being my friends π
The only picture I was able to get of the first train I drove. π
"This is my train. There are many like it, but this one is mine.
My train is my best friend. It is my life. I must master it as I must master my life."
#traininglife
#TrainDriversCreed
Just 6 more hours until Iβm done for Christmas π I canβt wait to eat everything and not move. I hope whatever you get up to around this time, youβre safe and have fun things to do β€οΈ
It's the 1st of July and the start of new adventures! This month, copies of Arlo's Adventures There and Back are making their way in to schools, to station platforms, and
@CommunityRail
events! Arlo and I couldn't be more excited to spread the important word of railway safetyπ
Laying in my little hotel room reflecting on the last 5 weeks in Blue; I have experienced and learnt so much. Iβve made friends, eaten lots, and laughed every day. The quiet moments like this, when I can mentally take a pause, I feel truly grateful for where I am in my life π
I havenβt said a proper hello in a while and thereβs a few new faces around π So hellooooo! Thank you for reading my little tweets, playing
#WhatIsIt
with me, and for all your likes, retweets and replies. I love being here with you! π₯°
#RailwayFamily
Around 20 years ago, my wonderful dad created a railway themed colouring page for kids travelling on trains.
Fast forward, and Iβve followed in his footsteps (again!)
Thank you
@RailSafetyWeek
for giving me this incredible opportunity π₯°
(Can anyone guess the train we were on?)
On Monday night, I had the great privilege to take 66301, 66302 and over 2650 tonnes of ballast up and down part of the new East West Rail. This mega heavy train was used to consolidate the ballast - squishing it in to place and simulating a weekβs worth of trains on the tracks.
A mist rolls over Southamptonβs docks,
Another working day begins.
Cranes, like monsters, creep in the fog
Guiding boxes over pins.
Rails shine wet from the night before,
Engines hum and sing.
A mist rolls over Southamptonβs docks,
Another working day begins.
When writing a book, it's important to research. After hours of listening to level crossing alarms, I have come to the conclusion that they say WEE WOO.
@Kazza_belle
I am so excited to share with you the title and cover of my upcoming children's book! Arlo's Adventures There and Back, being released during Rail Safety Week (20th-26th June) in aid of
@RailwayChildren
#ArlosAdventures
Iβm now over 200 hours in to my handling and I canβt believe how quick itβs all going. How quick itβs all goneβ¦
I think about life a lot on this usually unassuming day and, through all the ups and downs over the years, Iβm proud of the little life I lead.
Time flies when you're having fun; Week 2 came and went in a flash!
I am loving everything about this course so much, I have to pinch myself every day. Forever grateful for this incredible opportunity.
#traininglife
So, what's next for Bessie? What could possibly take me away from a job I love love love so much?
I'll be seeing things from the front seat with South Western Railway, tucked away in a humble depot, and I couldn't be more excited.
#trainlife
Happy 153 day to the 153s that made me happy.
I grew up on these trains, and then to have worked with them in my introductory years on the railway was incredibly special. β€οΈ
Long live the dog box, the scud, the tin rocket, the skateboard, the doodlebug - Long live the 153 πΆ π¦
I had the absolute joy of spending almost two hours of my evening deep in the tunnels of
@thepostalmuseum
's
#MailRail
.
Our little group walked around a mile, following the tracks used by the beautiful Post Office trains.
Spent a good hour watching
@Watercress_Line
volunteers training on token exchange with the most beautiful Gronk π₯° I really have such a soft spot for these hard workers.
My new favourite picture ever π₯° Austin, it was a joy to meet you - thank you for taking the time out to speak with me, take this photo and shake my hand! It meant the world β€οΈ
Meeting people is the best part of our adventures, so it was great to bump into someone as inspirational as
@bessbbe
. Perfect backdrop for a photo with such a legend π
Two years ago today, I started my role with
@RailFreight
- how quick the time goes! Iβm having the most exciting adventure and making the best of friends. I canβt wait to see where the next two years takes me π
The phone is ringing; the mainline is calling and weβve answered!
Iβm going to miss being a lil Green shunt driver, and the good friends Iβve made in the last few years, but I look forward to taking those dear memories and experiences with me in to a bright Blue future :-) ππ§‘
Today I was lucky to be involved with a little bit of history! 442420+442410 is the first passenger train to be taken in to the brand new, aptly named Banana Sidings at Fratton Traincare Depot. π
#traininglife
It was my rail-versary a few days ago, so I thought Iβd dig through my virtual wardrobe and share with you the last 6 years of uniforms Iβve lived in π€
Starting with, as most of my sentences do these days, when I was a guard⦠(ALT text for more!)
You were funny, ridiculous, talented and a very selfless man. Thank you for being wonderful in all your moments. Until next time, Graeme.
@redleaderwright
x