Daniel Puddicombe
@danielonrails.bsky.social
Freelance journalist: Mostly write about trains and cars. Paloma Faith enthusiast and a snooker anorak as well. Email: [email protected]. Own views.
Pinned
Hi Bluesky. Suppose I should introduce myself?
I'm a freelance journalist. I mostly write about trains these days; I'm very much an enthusiast that happens to be a journo and I travel thousands of miles behind steam each year in the UK & abroad.
I'm a freelance journalist. I mostly write about trains these days; I'm very much an enthusiast that happens to be a journo and I travel thousands of miles behind steam each year in the UK & abroad.
Reposted by Daniel Puddicombe
Here’s my CHRISTMAS GIFT TIP. You can buy all Michael Palin’s books and DVDs and suchlike off his website, and he signs and dedicates the item for no extra charge. Don’t say I don’t give you nowt. (I did this for my dad, and he didn’t notice the autograph on his Ripping Yarns.) themichaelpalin.com
November 25, 2025 at 12:45 PM
Here’s my CHRISTMAS GIFT TIP. You can buy all Michael Palin’s books and DVDs and suchlike off his website, and he signs and dedicates the item for no extra charge. Don’t say I don’t give you nowt. (I did this for my dad, and he didn’t notice the autograph on his Ripping Yarns.) themichaelpalin.com
Reposted by Daniel Puddicombe
Yesterday my partner and I counted all the ads along Chicago's Brown Line for "Friend," a company selling an AI chatbot pendant, and tallied how many of those ads were defaced.
Still working on a longer piece on this, but here's the quick and dirty: we counted 104 "Friend" ads total, 42 defaced.
Still working on a longer piece on this, but here's the quick and dirty: we counted 104 "Friend" ads total, 42 defaced.
November 23, 2025 at 10:46 PM
Yesterday my partner and I counted all the ads along Chicago's Brown Line for "Friend," a company selling an AI chatbot pendant, and tallied how many of those ads were defaced.
Still working on a longer piece on this, but here's the quick and dirty: we counted 104 "Friend" ads total, 42 defaced.
Still working on a longer piece on this, but here's the quick and dirty: we counted 104 "Friend" ads total, 42 defaced.
Mountains Magazine issue two contains lots of great pieces by brilliant writers. And, er, some words from me about a brilliant railway line in Mexico. Thank you again @aplantogo.bsky.social!
🚨PRE-ORDER Mountains Magazine #2 for delivery in early Dec. Prices from just £2.99!
🏷️WINTER SALE
Subscribe & save. 4 issues delivered for just £24.95
BUY HERE > www.mountains-magazine.com/Shop/#wbs1
⛰️Saint-Gervais
⛰️Shiga Kogen
⛰️Méribel
⛰️Copper Canyon
⛰️Bavaria
⛰️+ much MUCH more!
#Sale #Mountains
🏷️WINTER SALE
Subscribe & save. 4 issues delivered for just £24.95
BUY HERE > www.mountains-magazine.com/Shop/#wbs1
⛰️Saint-Gervais
⛰️Shiga Kogen
⛰️Méribel
⛰️Copper Canyon
⛰️Bavaria
⛰️+ much MUCH more!
#Sale #Mountains
November 22, 2025 at 12:42 PM
Mountains Magazine issue two contains lots of great pieces by brilliant writers. And, er, some words from me about a brilliant railway line in Mexico. Thank you again @aplantogo.bsky.social!
Reposted by Daniel Puddicombe
🚨PRE-ORDER Mountains Magazine #2 for delivery in early Dec. Prices from just £2.99!
🏷️WINTER SALE
Subscribe & save. 4 issues delivered for just £24.95
BUY HERE > www.mountains-magazine.com/Shop/#wbs1
⛰️Saint-Gervais
⛰️Shiga Kogen
⛰️Méribel
⛰️Copper Canyon
⛰️Bavaria
⛰️+ much MUCH more!
#Sale #Mountains
🏷️WINTER SALE
Subscribe & save. 4 issues delivered for just £24.95
BUY HERE > www.mountains-magazine.com/Shop/#wbs1
⛰️Saint-Gervais
⛰️Shiga Kogen
⛰️Méribel
⛰️Copper Canyon
⛰️Bavaria
⛰️+ much MUCH more!
#Sale #Mountains
November 21, 2025 at 6:49 PM
🚨PRE-ORDER Mountains Magazine #2 for delivery in early Dec. Prices from just £2.99!
🏷️WINTER SALE
Subscribe & save. 4 issues delivered for just £24.95
BUY HERE > www.mountains-magazine.com/Shop/#wbs1
⛰️Saint-Gervais
⛰️Shiga Kogen
⛰️Méribel
⛰️Copper Canyon
⛰️Bavaria
⛰️+ much MUCH more!
#Sale #Mountains
🏷️WINTER SALE
Subscribe & save. 4 issues delivered for just £24.95
BUY HERE > www.mountains-magazine.com/Shop/#wbs1
⛰️Saint-Gervais
⛰️Shiga Kogen
⛰️Méribel
⛰️Copper Canyon
⛰️Bavaria
⛰️+ much MUCH more!
#Sale #Mountains
Does ANYONE at Daily Express fact check before publishing stories? As an example, Facebook served me this article. As soon as I saw the headline and standfirst I realised the piece is full of nonsense.
(Quite why the Express is running a piece about a bridge opened in 2011 is beyond me.)
(Quite why the Express is running a piece about a bridge opened in 2011 is beyond me.)
November 22, 2025 at 12:32 PM
Does ANYONE at Daily Express fact check before publishing stories? As an example, Facebook served me this article. As soon as I saw the headline and standfirst I realised the piece is full of nonsense.
(Quite why the Express is running a piece about a bridge opened in 2011 is beyond me.)
(Quite why the Express is running a piece about a bridge opened in 2011 is beyond me.)
Anyone up for a game of spot the difference? I'm livid the Express plagiarised my work - and a story I am incredibly proud of.
Not sure what's more annoying: the stolen stories, the compensation offer or the lack of apology.
It's odd being the story. Thanks to Press Gazette for the piece.
Not sure what's more annoying: the stolen stories, the compensation offer or the lack of apology.
It's odd being the story. Thanks to Press Gazette for the piece.
November 18, 2025 at 12:02 PM
Anyone up for a game of spot the difference? I'm livid the Express plagiarised my work - and a story I am incredibly proud of.
Not sure what's more annoying: the stolen stories, the compensation offer or the lack of apology.
It's odd being the story. Thanks to Press Gazette for the piece.
Not sure what's more annoying: the stolen stories, the compensation offer or the lack of apology.
It's odd being the story. Thanks to Press Gazette for the piece.
For months, I've been looking into dodgy videos that seemingly encouraged unlawful behaviour while promoting TrainPal on TikTok - plus a side-show of using the Money Saving Expert name without permission.
Story for @railmagazine.bsky.social is online: www.railmagazine.com/news/trainpa...
Story for @railmagazine.bsky.social is online: www.railmagazine.com/news/trainpa...
TrainPal accused of encouraging "unlawful behaviour" with social media adverts
Rail Delivery Group investigating after videos described as misleading are produced by online ticket retailer TrainPal.
www.railmagazine.com
November 12, 2025 at 10:57 AM
For months, I've been looking into dodgy videos that seemingly encouraged unlawful behaviour while promoting TrainPal on TikTok - plus a side-show of using the Money Saving Expert name without permission.
Story for @railmagazine.bsky.social is online: www.railmagazine.com/news/trainpa...
Story for @railmagazine.bsky.social is online: www.railmagazine.com/news/trainpa...
That’s #WTMLDN done for another year. 17 formal meetings over two days, countless catch ups with contacts / friends old and new, too many hot chocolates drunk, one very frazzled brain.
Same time next year?
(There’s also the one tourist board that still will not engage (IYKYK))
Same time next year?
(There’s also the one tourist board that still will not engage (IYKYK))
November 5, 2025 at 7:00 PM
That’s #WTMLDN done for another year. 17 formal meetings over two days, countless catch ups with contacts / friends old and new, too many hot chocolates drunk, one very frazzled brain.
Same time next year?
(There’s also the one tourist board that still will not engage (IYKYK))
Same time next year?
(There’s also the one tourist board that still will not engage (IYKYK))
One of the favourite things I've written in a while:
A week or so ago, I spent a fun afternoon with land speed record-holder Andy Green and his 1904 Stanley Runabout ahead of today's Veteran Car Run to learn why the world's fastest man loves steam cars.
www.telegraph.co.uk/cars/feature...
A week or so ago, I spent a fun afternoon with land speed record-holder Andy Green and his 1904 Stanley Runabout ahead of today's Veteran Car Run to learn why the world's fastest man loves steam cars.
www.telegraph.co.uk/cars/feature...
Why the world’s fastest driver prefers a 20mph steam-powered car
Land speed record-holder Andy Green is hooked on his 1904 steam-powered machine that only does 60mph and has ‘the worst brakes in the world’
www.telegraph.co.uk
November 2, 2025 at 11:43 AM
One of the favourite things I've written in a while:
A week or so ago, I spent a fun afternoon with land speed record-holder Andy Green and his 1904 Stanley Runabout ahead of today's Veteran Car Run to learn why the world's fastest man loves steam cars.
www.telegraph.co.uk/cars/feature...
A week or so ago, I spent a fun afternoon with land speed record-holder Andy Green and his 1904 Stanley Runabout ahead of today's Veteran Car Run to learn why the world's fastest man loves steam cars.
www.telegraph.co.uk/cars/feature...
A superb time seeing The Last Dinner Party (twice) last night in Southampton.
Second show was unhinged - among other things, Abi (on her birthday) ended up chugging half a bottle of vodka during This is the Killer.
A brilliant band live - and the new album is ace. @tldparchives.bsky.social
Second show was unhinged - among other things, Abi (on her birthday) ended up chugging half a bottle of vodka during This is the Killer.
A brilliant band live - and the new album is ace. @tldparchives.bsky.social
October 20, 2025 at 8:00 AM
A superb time seeing The Last Dinner Party (twice) last night in Southampton.
Second show was unhinged - among other things, Abi (on her birthday) ended up chugging half a bottle of vodka during This is the Killer.
A brilliant band live - and the new album is ace. @tldparchives.bsky.social
Second show was unhinged - among other things, Abi (on her birthday) ended up chugging half a bottle of vodka during This is the Killer.
A brilliant band live - and the new album is ace. @tldparchives.bsky.social
Every so often, the 135-year old former presidential train takes to Portugal's most scenic railway line. Last month, I travelled aboard Comboio Presidencial for an eight-course meal & trip along the Douro Valley for @telegraphnews.bsky.social:
www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/desti...
@diningcar.at
www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/desti...
@diningcar.at
October 14, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Every so often, the 135-year old former presidential train takes to Portugal's most scenic railway line. Last month, I travelled aboard Comboio Presidencial for an eight-course meal & trip along the Douro Valley for @telegraphnews.bsky.social:
www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/desti...
@diningcar.at
www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/desti...
@diningcar.at
Until last month, I'd never travelled on a railway run by an actual military. Have written about the glorious Tren Interoceánico network in Mexico for @telegraphnews.bsky.social.
Yes, it was most odd seeing armed marines guarding level crossings & platforms.
www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/desti...
Yes, it was most odd seeing armed marines guarding level crossings & platforms.
www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/desti...
October 12, 2025 at 12:52 PM
Until last month, I'd never travelled on a railway run by an actual military. Have written about the glorious Tren Interoceánico network in Mexico for @telegraphnews.bsky.social.
Yes, it was most odd seeing armed marines guarding level crossings & platforms.
www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/desti...
Yes, it was most odd seeing armed marines guarding level crossings & platforms.
www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/desti...
Remember that Austrian bloke that jumped out of a balloon in space? This is a really nice read about him and also the culture about Red Bull's sponsorship of extreme sports. Well worth five minutes of your time.
Felix Baumgartner: the highs and lows of a life of extremes trib.al/zk6gSky
Felix Baumgartner: the highs and lows of a life of extremes
The Austrian skydiver survived jumping 24 miles from space. But then his challenges really began. How did a daredevil hero become a political villain?
trib.al
October 10, 2025 at 11:33 AM
Remember that Austrian bloke that jumped out of a balloon in space? This is a really nice read about him and also the culture about Red Bull's sponsorship of extreme sports. Well worth five minutes of your time.
The first of the dispatches from my US & Mexican rail trip went live this morning.
Amtrak's 'Pacific Surfliner' is a stunning route between LA and San Diego that's affordable and has good frequency - an epitome of all that is good about rail travel in the US.
www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/affor...
Amtrak's 'Pacific Surfliner' is a stunning route between LA and San Diego that's affordable and has good frequency - an epitome of all that is good about rail travel in the US.
www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/affor...
October 8, 2025 at 12:57 PM
The first of the dispatches from my US & Mexican rail trip went live this morning.
Amtrak's 'Pacific Surfliner' is a stunning route between LA and San Diego that's affordable and has good frequency - an epitome of all that is good about rail travel in the US.
www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/affor...
Amtrak's 'Pacific Surfliner' is a stunning route between LA and San Diego that's affordable and has good frequency - an epitome of all that is good about rail travel in the US.
www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/affor...
Travelling aboard Comboio Presidencial - Portugal’s 125 year old former presidential train - from Porto through the Douro Valley in lovely sunshine today. There’s the added bonus of haulage behind a 1960s English Electric 1400-class diesel…
September 20, 2025 at 12:55 PM
Travelling aboard Comboio Presidencial - Portugal’s 125 year old former presidential train - from Porto through the Douro Valley in lovely sunshine today. There’s the added bonus of haulage behind a 1960s English Electric 1400-class diesel…
I know there are bigger issues in the world right now but yesterday I took a tour along Mobile River. I saw SS United States, mid decommissioning. What an utter waste of America’s shipping heritage that it is going to be sunk off the coast of Florida to create a reef.
September 15, 2025 at 12:15 PM
I know there are bigger issues in the world right now but yesterday I took a tour along Mobile River. I saw SS United States, mid decommissioning. What an utter waste of America’s shipping heritage that it is going to be sunk off the coast of Florida to create a reef.
Travelling on Amtrak’s new Mardi Gras Service today. A few weeks ago trains resumed between New Orleans and Mobile after a 20 year Hurricane Katrina-induced hiatus. And already services are selling out, which is great to see. 🎉
September 13, 2025 at 12:35 PM
Travelling on Amtrak’s new Mardi Gras Service today. A few weeks ago trains resumed between New Orleans and Mobile after a 20 year Hurricane Katrina-induced hiatus. And already services are selling out, which is great to see. 🎉
I’m in New Orleans at the moment. The city is home to the world’s oldest continuously running Streetcar line in the world. These 102 year old machines run 24/7 and are great fun to ride aboard. Had a fascinating look around RTA’s depot, too.
September 12, 2025 at 9:49 PM
I’m in New Orleans at the moment. The city is home to the world’s oldest continuously running Streetcar line in the world. These 102 year old machines run 24/7 and are great fun to ride aboard. Had a fascinating look around RTA’s depot, too.
Cancun-bound aboard Tren Maya today. Merida’s station is very impressive, even if it is nowhere near the city centre.
(The less says about the truly awful boarding experience, the better!)
(The less says about the truly awful boarding experience, the better!)
September 9, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Cancun-bound aboard Tren Maya today. Merida’s station is very impressive, even if it is nowhere near the city centre.
(The less says about the truly awful boarding experience, the better!)
(The less says about the truly awful boarding experience, the better!)
Plodding my way to Cancun over the next few days using (Army-owned) Tren Maya. The station at Palenque is huge, brand new and very airy. Impressive stuff.
September 7, 2025 at 5:35 PM
Plodding my way to Cancun over the next few days using (Army-owned) Tren Maya. The station at Palenque is huge, brand new and very airy. Impressive stuff.
This is so strange - and the main reason for coming to Mexico. Sat in a former GWR first class Mk3 for the journey between Coatzacoalcos and Palenque. Since 2023 HSTs have been running on the line. It’ll be surreal to travel through a jungle on a HST…
September 6, 2025 at 1:16 PM
This is so strange - and the main reason for coming to Mexico. Sat in a former GWR first class Mk3 for the journey between Coatzacoalcos and Palenque. Since 2023 HSTs have been running on the line. It’ll be surreal to travel through a jungle on a HST…
After a few days in Mexico City being a tourist, it’s back to trains and I’m travelling on Tren Interoceánico between Salina Cruz on the Pacific and Coatzacoalcos on the Gulf of Mexico. Interesting stock - ex Amtrak Amfleet I carriages and US freight locos that have been exported.
September 5, 2025 at 3:47 PM
After a few days in Mexico City being a tourist, it’s back to trains and I’m travelling on Tren Interoceánico between Salina Cruz on the Pacific and Coatzacoalcos on the Gulf of Mexico. Interesting stock - ex Amtrak Amfleet I carriages and US freight locos that have been exported.
Things I did not expect to see today: a Mexican Pacer.
September 3, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Things I did not expect to see today: a Mexican Pacer.
Apropos of nothing, Mexico City has a cable car network. There is a flat fee of $7 MXN (25p) to ride it. Metro journeys cost $5 MXN each and offer unlimited transfers. A gold standard for public transport? @jonnelledge.bsky.social
September 2, 2025 at 7:48 PM
Apropos of nothing, Mexico City has a cable car network. There is a flat fee of $7 MXN (25p) to ride it. Metro journeys cost $5 MXN each and offer unlimited transfers. A gold standard for public transport? @jonnelledge.bsky.social
Getting my first taste of Mexico’s passenger railway systems today: the sun has just risen and I’m travelling on Chepe Regional from Chihuahua to Divisadero which is in the heart of the Copper Canyon.
The sight of armed guards on the train definitely woke me up at 0530!
The sight of armed guards on the train definitely woke me up at 0530!
August 30, 2025 at 12:51 PM
Getting my first taste of Mexico’s passenger railway systems today: the sun has just risen and I’m travelling on Chepe Regional from Chihuahua to Divisadero which is in the heart of the Copper Canyon.
The sight of armed guards on the train definitely woke me up at 0530!
The sight of armed guards on the train definitely woke me up at 0530!