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Michael C

@mikewillsee.bsky.social

510 followers 220 following 240 posts

He/Him Sustainable transport advocate & enthusiast (usual trainspotter) Human rights enjoyer Founder of @networknews.org.uk I also make YouTube videos: youtube.com/@mikewillsee

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Michael C @mikewillsee.bsky.social · 13d

Skerne Bridge on the Stockton & Darlington Railway

27th September 1825 vs 27th September 2025

A painting of the Skerne Bridge from the inaugural journey on the Stockton & Darlington Railway. A large crowd can be seen watching the Locomotion No. 1 from a field, whilst dressed in Edwardian clothing.

A photo of the Skerne Bridge taken today in the same location. A large crowd can be seen watching the Locomotion No. 1 replica from a car park whilst dressed in modern clothing.

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Michael C @mikewillsee.bsky.social · 11h

New Video!

On the 27th of September 1825, the Stockton & Darlington Railway ran its inaugural train, so I made my way up north to recreate that first ever journey 200 years later!

youtu.be/cW1M1ezyy4o

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Michael C @mikewillsee.bsky.social · 5d

Agree with the sentiment, but I think it's actually more dramatic than that.

Labour have effectively taken the Tories' place, and basically killed them off as a party in the process.

Reform, on the other hand, represents something far more dangerous that we've not seen before.

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Michael C @mikewillsee.bsky.social · 10d

Congratulations, very well deserved! 👏👏👏

Reposted by Michael C

Network News @networknews.org.uk · 10d

New Video!

This time we're discussing the new Beaulieu Park station ahead of its opening in October:

youtu.be/PPinWVMpRC4

Beaulieu Park Opening Date CONFIRMED: Everything You Need To Know!

YouTube video by Network News

youtu.be

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Reposted by Michael C

JenOnTheMove 🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈 @jenonthemove.com · 12d

And that’s a wrap on the 200th Anniversary journey!

I have an amazing video coming for you all in about a weeks time, this has way exceeded my expectations!

Thank you to everyone who’s come along to everything, thanks to everyone who has said hello… it’s been a blast!

Jen stood on Stockton Railway station platform in front of a replica of Locomotion

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Reposted by Michael C

Riku Fryderyk 🚇🏳️‍⚧️ @rikufryderyk.bsky.social · 12d

What a weekend… thx Michael :)

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Reposted by Michael C

Riku Fryderyk 🚇🏳️‍⚧️ @rikufryderyk.bsky.social · 13d

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Michael C @mikewillsee.bsky.social · 13d

Yes it's been very enjoyable thank you!

Michael C @mikewillsee.bsky.social · 13d

Skerne Bridge on the Stockton & Darlington Railway

27th September 1825 vs 27th September 2025

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Reposted by Michael C

carl50035arkroyal.bsky.social @carl50035arkroyal.bsky.social · 15d

Liking the new Chiltern colours on the 68’s & mk 5 coaches

Reminds me of a football teams colours🤔

Photo by Bob Fosters railway gallery on Flickr

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Michael C @mikewillsee.bsky.social · 17d

Live NOW!

surreyhillsradio.co.uk

Michael C @mikewillsee.bsky.social · 17d

Gonna be LIVE on surreyhillsradio.co.uk from 5PM to discuss Scottish electrification, Gatwick expansion, the Northumberland line, Avanti diverts, and HS2's latest blow.

Don't forget to tune in!

Surrey Hills Community Radio

surreyhillsradio.co.uk

Michael C @mikewillsee.bsky.social · 17d

Gonna be LIVE on surreyhillsradio.co.uk from 5PM to discuss Scottish electrification, Gatwick expansion, the Northumberland line, Avanti diverts, and HS2's latest blow.

Don't forget to tune in!

Surrey Hills Community Radio

surreyhillsradio.co.uk

Michael C @mikewillsee.bsky.social · 18d

So Gatwick expansion is to go ahead...

What part of "climate emergency" and "aviation harms the economy" does this government not understand?

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Reposted by Michael C

Network News @networknews.org.uk · 19d

New video:

Recently, the opening date of Blyth Bebside was confirmed - the 19th of October 2025.

In this video we discuss what passengers can expect of the new station, and evaluate the success of the Northumberland line as a whole!

youtu.be/E1gVuu75vcM

Blyth Bebside Station Opening Date Confirmed: The Northumberland Line's Latest Addition!

YouTube video by Network News

youtu.be

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Reposted by Michael C

Zack Polanski @zackpolanski.bsky.social · 25d

How do we fix this mess?

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Michael C @mikewillsee.bsky.social · 25d

Just (finally) finished reading How The Railways Will Fix The Future by @garethdennis.uk whilst aboard a very crowded 2 car 168 all the way from Birmingham to London!

The book itself is absolutely tremendous so I’d highly recommend it; do make sure to get yourself a copy if you haven’t already!

A picture of the book ‘How The Railways Will Fix The Future’ being held up in front of a 2 car Class 168 in a dimly lit London Marylebone station.

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Michael C @mikewillsee.bsky.social · 25d

Absolute pleasure to see @george-station-cat.bsky.social in person for the first time today, and on his birthday no less!

Happy birthday George! 😸

George, the Stourbridge Junction Station Cat, curled up on a chair behind the ticket desk. A series of birthday cards addressed to him can be seen in the background!

Michael C @mikewillsee.bsky.social · 29d

I feel your pain. Being ill would be a great opportunity to edit so many of my videos, if not for the fact that you actually SOUND ILL!

Michael C @mikewillsee.bsky.social · 29d

On the upside, my setback means I have time to enjoy a drink at the York Tap, one of the country’s BEST pubs, with its ‘garden’ being right on the platform of York station!

I think @garethdennis.uk and @garethaethwy.bsky.social would approve!

A half pint of beer sits on a pub table underneath York’s grand train shed, which nicely frames a Northern 170 sitting in the platform behind, awaiting its next service.

The pub table, meanwhile, is right on the platform!

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Michael C @mikewillsee.bsky.social · 29d

(They is me by the way, nobody forced me to play TPE roulette)

Michael C @mikewillsee.bsky.social · 29d

Travel on Transpennine Express they said…

It will be fine they said…

I played TPE roulette today and I lost ☹️

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Reposted by Michael C

Network News @networknews.org.uk · Sep 8

New Video!

In yet another blow the HS2 project, it seem that the HS2 rail line will no longer be using platform edge doors, but on the bright side, it is looking at longer trains to avoid a reduction in capacity north of Birmingham:

youtu.be/1wbuUlYTA-U

HS2 ABANDONS Platform Edge Doors As It Moves To Mixed Fleet Of Trains

YouTube video by Network News

youtu.be

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Michael C @mikewillsee.bsky.social · Sep 4

Great video, but I find it funny that the thumbnail text has three Ls in "Billionnaire"

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Michael C @mikewillsee.bsky.social · Sep 4

Yeah fair enough, I look forward to seeing it!

Michael C @mikewillsee.bsky.social · Sep 4

Do you discuss the potential for a Huddersfield - Bradford line, as that seems to be the most likely long-term outcome at this stage?

A map of the proposed Northern Powerhouse Rail, showing:

Upgraded lines between Liverpool Lime Street and Warrington

A new line from Warrington to just west of Huddersfield with stops at Manchester Airport and Manchester Piccadilly

The line splitting in two after Huddersfield:

Branch A: Upgraded lines direct to Leeds

Branch B: A longer route comprising a new line between Huddersfield and Bradford followed by an upgraded line to Leeds

Upgraded lines from Leeds to York and Hull

A diagram from the Integrated Rail Plan showing the "potential wider network" which includes a new line between Huddersfield and Bradford as well as upgrades to the route from Manchester to Sheffield.

The cost of these interventions is estimated at £25bn and the caption beneath the image reads:

"In addition to the Core Network a section of new or reopened line connecting Manchester-Bradford (via Huddersfield) with electrification and/or upgrades between Manchester-Sheffield and from Leeds and Sheffield-Hull and York to Newcastle."