Graeme Pickering
@pickgs.bsky.social
Railway Magazine Senior Correspondent. Ex-broadcast journalist and news editor. Husband. 'Dad' to a Greek cat. Aspiring novelist.
Reposted by Graeme Pickering
On this day.
Kirton in Lindsey on the 29th January 1976, and an unidentified class 47 heads towards Gainsborough.
Sadly due to the state of the track, large parts of the Brigg line, including here, were single in the early 1980s.
© Phillip Hewson.
Kirton in Lindsey on the 29th January 1976, and an unidentified class 47 heads towards Gainsborough.
Sadly due to the state of the track, large parts of the Brigg line, including here, were single in the early 1980s.
© Phillip Hewson.
January 29, 2026 at 12:10 AM
On this day.
Kirton in Lindsey on the 29th January 1976, and an unidentified class 47 heads towards Gainsborough.
Sadly due to the state of the track, large parts of the Brigg line, including here, were single in the early 1980s.
© Phillip Hewson.
Kirton in Lindsey on the 29th January 1976, and an unidentified class 47 heads towards Gainsborough.
Sadly due to the state of the track, large parts of the Brigg line, including here, were single in the early 1980s.
© Phillip Hewson.
Not looking too bad for 50 years and 1 day, even if I do say so myself! 😉 Round at the in-laws for celebration part 2 this afternoon.
January 28, 2026 at 10:20 PM
Not looking too bad for 50 years and 1 day, even if I do say so myself! 😉 Round at the in-laws for celebration part 2 this afternoon.
Reposted by Graeme Pickering
There is an interloper in Harwich Yard this morning. I assume it’s related to the overhead wire problem at Stowmarket last night.
January 28, 2026 at 6:26 AM
There is an interloper in Harwich Yard this morning. I assume it’s related to the overhead wire problem at Stowmarket last night.
Many thanks for the good wishes today. Much appreciated. My parents take a very hands-off approach, talking us out of visiting and direct involvement in celebrations these days so it's been a good one (thanks to Mrs P) albeit strange. Celebrating with in-laws tomorrow!😃
January 27, 2026 at 11:17 PM
Many thanks for the good wishes today. Much appreciated. My parents take a very hands-off approach, talking us out of visiting and direct involvement in celebrations these days so it's been a good one (thanks to Mrs P) albeit strange. Celebrating with in-laws tomorrow!😃
Reposted by Graeme Pickering
I'll be in York on March 10th giving a lecture on 'These Isles: A People's History of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales' at Yorkshire Philosophical Society, Yorkshire Museum, 2.30pm. Non-members £5. Book due out Feb 26th, available for preorder. www.ypsyork.org/events/these...
January 27, 2026 at 1:54 PM
I'll be in York on March 10th giving a lecture on 'These Isles: A People's History of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales' at Yorkshire Philosophical Society, Yorkshire Museum, 2.30pm. Non-members £5. Book due out Feb 26th, available for preorder. www.ypsyork.org/events/these...
Reposted by Graeme Pickering
67015 Awaits departure from Manchester Piccadilly with 1V42, destined for Cardiff Central. What a way to travel! Transport for Wales, like Chiltern Trains, know the value of running loco-hauled services.
#Class67 #TfW #ManchesterPiccadilly #DB #Trainspotting
#Class67 #TfW #ManchesterPiccadilly #DB #Trainspotting
January 27, 2026 at 7:04 AM
67015 Awaits departure from Manchester Piccadilly with 1V42, destined for Cardiff Central. What a way to travel! Transport for Wales, like Chiltern Trains, know the value of running loco-hauled services.
#Class67 #TfW #ManchesterPiccadilly #DB #Trainspotting
#Class67 #TfW #ManchesterPiccadilly #DB #Trainspotting
Reposted by Graeme Pickering
oh no not gavin williamson, the most beloved tory mp since er suella braverman, seriously is Kemi paying Farage for this service
Gavin Williamson on Reform defection watch reports James Tapsfield www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article...
January 27, 2026 at 3:25 PM
oh no not gavin williamson, the most beloved tory mp since er suella braverman, seriously is Kemi paying Farage for this service
Reposted by Graeme Pickering
Auschwitz was at the end of a process. We must remember that it did not start from gas chambers.
This hatred gradually developed: from ideas, words, stereotypes & prejudice through legal exclusion, dehumanization & escalating violence... to systematic and industrial murder.
Auschwitz took time.
This hatred gradually developed: from ideas, words, stereotypes & prejudice through legal exclusion, dehumanization & escalating violence... to systematic and industrial murder.
Auschwitz took time.
January 27, 2026 at 11:00 AM
Auschwitz was at the end of a process. We must remember that it did not start from gas chambers.
This hatred gradually developed: from ideas, words, stereotypes & prejudice through legal exclusion, dehumanization & escalating violence... to systematic and industrial murder.
Auschwitz took time.
This hatred gradually developed: from ideas, words, stereotypes & prejudice through legal exclusion, dehumanization & escalating violence... to systematic and industrial murder.
Auschwitz took time.
January 27, 2026 at 1:15 PM
Reposted by Graeme Pickering
Good news, #Hamburg 🌙🚆
From 13 July 2026, our Paris–Berlin #nighttrain will also stop in Hamburg. A new city to board in the evening, or wake up to in the morning.
With easy onward rail links, Scandinavia is now closer than ever.
🎟️ Bookings are open
👉 www.europeansleeper.eu/hamburg
From 13 July 2026, our Paris–Berlin #nighttrain will also stop in Hamburg. A new city to board in the evening, or wake up to in the morning.
With easy onward rail links, Scandinavia is now closer than ever.
🎟️ Bookings are open
👉 www.europeansleeper.eu/hamburg
January 27, 2026 at 10:00 AM
Good news, #Hamburg 🌙🚆
From 13 July 2026, our Paris–Berlin #nighttrain will also stop in Hamburg. A new city to board in the evening, or wake up to in the morning.
With easy onward rail links, Scandinavia is now closer than ever.
🎟️ Bookings are open
👉 www.europeansleeper.eu/hamburg
From 13 July 2026, our Paris–Berlin #nighttrain will also stop in Hamburg. A new city to board in the evening, or wake up to in the morning.
With easy onward rail links, Scandinavia is now closer than ever.
🎟️ Bookings are open
👉 www.europeansleeper.eu/hamburg
Reposted by Graeme Pickering
27 January 1945, early morning: liberation of #Auschwitz.
#WeRemember
Remembering guides us: it tells us where we come from, and it teaches us where to go - and where never to go again.
This is about the essence of our civilisation.
#HolocaustMemorialDay
#WeRemember
Remembering guides us: it tells us where we come from, and it teaches us where to go - and where never to go again.
This is about the essence of our civilisation.
#HolocaustMemorialDay
January 27, 2026 at 8:33 AM
27 January 1945, early morning: liberation of #Auschwitz.
#WeRemember
Remembering guides us: it tells us where we come from, and it teaches us where to go - and where never to go again.
This is about the essence of our civilisation.
#HolocaustMemorialDay
#WeRemember
Remembering guides us: it tells us where we come from, and it teaches us where to go - and where never to go again.
This is about the essence of our civilisation.
#HolocaustMemorialDay
And so begins a few days off! Many thanks to Michelle for the amazing presents. Celebrating with family tomorrow and a day out on Thursday.
January 27, 2026 at 9:24 AM
And so begins a few days off! Many thanks to Michelle for the amazing presents. Celebrating with family tomorrow and a day out on Thursday.
Reposted by Graeme Pickering
47739 shunts stored 56091, formerly "Driver Wayne Gaskell - The Godfather" at Leicester L.I.P., while the two Class 99s, 99001 and 002, await their next test run.
19/01/2026
#SteelCityDoggoPhotography
19/01/2026
#SteelCityDoggoPhotography
January 27, 2026 at 8:41 AM
47739 shunts stored 56091, formerly "Driver Wayne Gaskell - The Godfather" at Leicester L.I.P., while the two Class 99s, 99001 and 002, await their next test run.
19/01/2026
#SteelCityDoggoPhotography
19/01/2026
#SteelCityDoggoPhotography
Reposted by Graeme Pickering
It’s behind you…
January 26, 2026 at 9:58 AM
It’s behind you…
A familiar TV face when I was studying journalism. I wrote to him when I was doing my final year thesis on the BBC under John Birt and I got a lovely, very helpful handwritten reply. He was also a big fan of using the train on his travels across India.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Sir Mark Tully, the BBC's 'voice of India', dies aged 90
Sir Mark covered some of the defining moments in India's history in a career that spanned decades.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 25, 2026 at 11:31 PM
A familiar TV face when I was studying journalism. I wrote to him when I was doing my final year thesis on the BBC under John Birt and I got a lovely, very helpful handwritten reply. He was also a big fan of using the train on his travels across India.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Graeme Pickering
A rather nice Saturday shift allocated to me from ‘Spare’. An 8.26 start for a trip to Rugeley, a decent break & then a round trip Lichfield/Bromsgrove to finish.
A pleasant days driving. I’m back on the rails Monday where I move over to afternoon shifts. #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver #WomenInRail
A pleasant days driving. I’m back on the rails Monday where I move over to afternoon shifts. #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver #WomenInRail
January 24, 2026 at 10:23 PM
A rather nice Saturday shift allocated to me from ‘Spare’. An 8.26 start for a trip to Rugeley, a decent break & then a round trip Lichfield/Bromsgrove to finish.
A pleasant days driving. I’m back on the rails Monday where I move over to afternoon shifts. #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver #WomenInRail
A pleasant days driving. I’m back on the rails Monday where I move over to afternoon shifts. #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver #WomenInRail
2 of 2 - 37403, 19 Jan 2018, looking south at Barrow as the driver walks into view to ready it for its afternoon trip to Carlisle. When we got off at Dalston the platforms were covered in snow nicely illuminated by station lights. Kicked myself I didn't get pics there, too! 📸: ©️Graeme Pickering
January 25, 2026 at 10:08 PM
2 of 2 - 37403, 19 Jan 2018, looking south at Barrow as the driver walks into view to ready it for its afternoon trip to Carlisle. When we got off at Dalston the platforms were covered in snow nicely illuminated by station lights. Kicked myself I didn't get pics there, too! 📸: ©️Graeme Pickering
Inspired by a @miles-and-chains.bsky.social post, 1 of 2 of pics of 37403 'Isle of Mull' at Barrow, about to work an afternoon Northern service to Carlisle on 19 Jan 2018. Looking north with then DRS-owned Mk. 2 6001 in foreground, loco up front, semaphores in distance. 📸: ©️ Graeme Pickering
January 25, 2026 at 10:06 PM
Inspired by a @miles-and-chains.bsky.social post, 1 of 2 of pics of 37403 'Isle of Mull' at Barrow, about to work an afternoon Northern service to Carlisle on 19 Jan 2018. Looking north with then DRS-owned Mk. 2 6001 in foreground, loco up front, semaphores in distance. 📸: ©️ Graeme Pickering
Reposted by Graeme Pickering
The Green Dragon:
L&YR Class 25 'Ironclad' no.52044 at Keighley during her return to service, running as 957, her L&Y number, and in her iconic Railway Children Green livery. She also had her previous smokebox door here!
#SteelCityDoggoPhotography #Steamfix #KeighleyAndWorthValleyRailway
L&YR Class 25 'Ironclad' no.52044 at Keighley during her return to service, running as 957, her L&Y number, and in her iconic Railway Children Green livery. She also had her previous smokebox door here!
#SteelCityDoggoPhotography #Steamfix #KeighleyAndWorthValleyRailway
January 25, 2026 at 10:01 PM
The Green Dragon:
L&YR Class 25 'Ironclad' no.52044 at Keighley during her return to service, running as 957, her L&Y number, and in her iconic Railway Children Green livery. She also had her previous smokebox door here!
#SteelCityDoggoPhotography #Steamfix #KeighleyAndWorthValleyRailway
L&YR Class 25 'Ironclad' no.52044 at Keighley during her return to service, running as 957, her L&Y number, and in her iconic Railway Children Green livery. She also had her previous smokebox door here!
#SteelCityDoggoPhotography #Steamfix #KeighleyAndWorthValleyRailway
Reposted by Graeme Pickering
Looks like a sunrise sort of thing to me.
January 25, 2026 at 9:48 AM
Looks like a sunrise sort of thing to me.
Reposted by Graeme Pickering
4061/4032 at #SouthShields, lovely to see these beauties still out and about, #TyneandWearMetro 24/01/26
January 24, 2026 at 6:35 PM
4061/4032 at #SouthShields, lovely to see these beauties still out and about, #TyneandWearMetro 24/01/26
Reposted by Graeme Pickering
Penultimate train of the day from London to the mainland.
January 24, 2026 at 8:13 PM
Penultimate train of the day from London to the mainland.
Aboard the 20.54 Newcastle-Metrocentre service on this day in 2015. The 'Pacers' have gone and although some trains are still as quiet, most I travel on are considerably busier. 'Lucky to get a seat," I saidto the conductor. He laughed: "Yeah, train to yourself tonight."
January 23, 2026 at 9:06 AM
Aboard the 20.54 Newcastle-Metrocentre service on this day in 2015. The 'Pacers' have gone and although some trains are still as quiet, most I travel on are considerably busier. 'Lucky to get a seat," I saidto the conductor. He laughed: "Yeah, train to yourself tonight."