A Class 156 departs Maybole station in 2025. The sun is setting as it departs.
On a car trip 30 years ago, my grampa suggested we stopped at Maybole station.
It was dark and deserted. No way on this sparse timetable would we see anything.
But out of the darkness came a Class 156, sparking great excitement at seeing a train!
Great memories can happen from small things.
Me looking at the camera with the sea behind me. It is dusk as the light is low
This September I'll be taking part in an English Chanel relay swim from Dover to France in aid of Swim Tayka
What's a channel relay swim? - I'll be swimming as part of a small team of 5 or 6 people, taking it in turns to swim from Dover to France - Each person swims for one hour at a time before handing over to a team mate - We continue this rotation until we finally reach France! - No wetsuits, gloves or shoes are allowed!
Please sponsor me! I'm doing this swim in aid of Swim Tayka who provide swimming lessons for children in underprivileged communities across the world. I'm aiming to raise £1800. Scan the QR code to donate or go to https://www.justgiving.com/page/robs-channel-relay?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR39b9msPBRbBrap_JnnqInAER0pol9u6EY-7ZMMw6kwLRDXwTkigw38DKk_aem_Q2jmBBr5M0C1aJyvSnfO5A
Dear railway friends,
Later this year, I'm going to be doing something crazy and go swimming from Dover to France in a swim relay across the English Channel!
I'm swimming in aid of Swim Tayka. Please sponsor me and help me and help me reach France!
justgiving.com/page/robs-channel-relay
Stranraer station sign with a Class 156 waiting to depart
The back of Stranraer station with the old ferry port to the left. The surface is overgrown and derelict
A Class 156 departs for Ayr. The old ferry port lies derelict behind the train
While the signs may say ScotRail, it's crazy to think that the station is still owned by the ferry company Stena Line...13.5 years since it last ran a service to Stranraer!
The last ship sailed from here in November 2011.
They also still own the surrounding derilict land.
A ScotRail Class 156 train departs Stranraer station for Ayr
Stranraer...a station in a place that time has left behind.
Its been over 13 years since the last ferry departed this Harbour in Nov 2011, yet nothing has changed apart from ongoing decay.
Trains continue to ply the route for the remaining customers that use it.
What future awaits this line?
Class 08 'St Piran' on show at Longrock Depot wearing the flag of St Piran as a livery.
Gool Perran Lowen! 〓〓
Happy St Piran's Day!
A Northern Class 156 departs Denton station in bright winter sunshine
Denton ✅️
Finally got the chance to visit here and Reddish South...thanks Argyle 💚
The station has just as many trains each week as it does platforms!
And after waving off this train, the next passenger train was 6 days, 23 hours and 32 mins later!
I'm going to need some entertainment!
The once-a-week train from Stockport to Stalybridge arrives at Reddish South station
Welcome to Reddish South!
Miss the 0910 to Stalybridge? Next ones a whole week later!
Only 2 passenger trains serve this line each week.
It is however cared for by a station friends group who have installed plenty of artwork.
Otherwise, it's more out of sight, out of mind.
Argyle 💚 tonight. But what to do beforehand on a Saturday morning?
There's only one thing I could possibly do!
All aboard the once-a-week* Denton flyer!
*in either direction
Trail and error with Google on constant standby!
We all have a Hunger...
Bentley station with a South Western Railway train departing
Bentley station sign with the sun setting above the canopy
Bentley station viewed from the footbridge
A general view of Bentley station showing both platforms, the footbridge and station canopy.
16 stations visited yesterday evening around the Aldershot/Staines area.
Pick if the bunch was definitely Bentley, a small, quiet station on the line between Farnham and Alton.
Although it has 2 platforms, most use Platform 1, with Platform 2 only being used for passing trains.
Watch out Manchester...Argyle are coming! 💚
⚠️ Football tweet ⚠️
COME ON ARGYLE!!!
⚠️ End of football tweet ⚠️
150238 sits at Exeter St Davids wearing FIrst Great Western blue livery with pink doors
Almost 10 years since the first rolling stock was outshopped in GWR green (sleeper coach 10594), there is just one unit left in FGW blue...
...150238 will shortly be departing for Wolverton to be overhauled.
It'll bring an end to almost 20 years of First Great Western blue and pink.
I'll take that 😆
Arguably the best team in the world...play a team from Liverpool.
See you at Home Park!
Border controls at Saltash searching for suspect baked items!
Unbeaten in 2025! 💚
First away win since April.
Bring on the 4th round!!
Get out of Cornwall! 😝
It is where I'm from!
I've been there too! Our return train almost didn't make it back due to a large snowdrift. Spent a couple of hours sat at Bjornfell station. Nearly missed our Northern Lights experience
Shame about the abomination on the left
St James' Park station showing the two platforms
St James' Park is a pain if you're an apostrophe pendant...
Among those that do include it:
✅️ Platform signs
✅️ Station/train screens
✅️ Timetables
Among those that do not:
❌️ The BR arrows sign
❌️ Online info page
❌️The football ground it is named after
I dont think it belongs.
What do you say?
A GWR Class 150 at Lympstone Billage station
Lympstone quay showing the clock tower
A narrow street in Lympstone with houses either side
The view from Lympstone quay as the sun starts to set on the horizon
One of the nicest destinations on the Exmouth branch line is Lympstone Village.
Right on the Exe Estuary cycle trail, it's an ideal stop off for lunch in a small cafe or local pub while surrounded by quaint narrow streets.
Its also 1 of only 3 stations with the suffix 'village' in its name.
Unlike me who actually got you in some water!
Tondu signal box with the Signaller receiving a token from the driver of a train
Myself (far left), with Jack, Stu, Rob, Nick and Natt. The Forth Rail Bridge is in the background
Me in front of Williton signal box after passing my assessment to signal there
Myself and Stu at Dovey Junction after walking around the Dovey Estuary and getting caked in mud
As 2024 draws to a close, here's my favourite memories from the year:
1 - Completing my 100 stations challenge and seeing many fascinating places
2 - Meeting great people and sharing memories ❤️
3 - Passing as a Signalman at Williton on the WSR
4 - Breaking @everylaststation.bsky.social in Wales!
Chandlers Ford station with a Class 158 departing direct to Romsey
Chandlers Ford station view taken from the footbridge, a disused platform stands on the right of the footbridge
Chandlers Ford station from the north end of the station under a shelter
An old sign on the disused platform showing the direction of travel for trains. Although all trains go to Romsey. One direct, the other via Eastleigh and Southampton Central
Station 100 for the year...Chandlers Ford!
An outcropper of a station on a single line between Romsey and Eastleigh, with trains that end up in the same place whichever direction you go!
It's nice to see out my 100 stations challenge. Here's to another 100 in 2025!
Merry Christmas to you all!
A day in Aldershot gave me a great opportunity to nearly complete my station challenge with 4 added to my tick list:
Sandhurst
Crowthorne
Aldershot
Ash Vale
I never knew Sandhurst was so basic!
Anyone want to take a guess at where Im going for my 100th station?
🥢🫎🚗 (Kudos if you get it)
99/100
Longcross used to be a pretty awkward station to visit.
But with an hourly service off-peak (half-hourly at peak times), it's become much easier to tick off this odd little station.
Situated in the middle of nowhere, exect for a film studio. But it does have a Permit to Travel machine!
95/100
With 10 stations still to go, I ventured onto the SWR in the Reading area to visit...
Martins Heron
Bracknell
Sunningdale
Ascot
Sunningdale was anything other than sunny, as it absolutely poured down!
Anyone know why Martin has a Heron?
94/100
Langley station taken from the new footbridge. And Elizabeth Line train is pulling into the station next to the main station building
With just enough time between connections, I stopped off at Langley...
4 platforms, only 2 of which see regular use, but it does have a nice new lift/footbridge.
The coming of the Elizabeth Line has improved its attraction as a commuter station no end.
90/100