Rail Focus - Chris 🏳️‍🌈
banner
railfocus.bsky.social
Rail Focus - Chris 🏳️‍🌈
@railfocus.bsky.social
Freelance transport & engineering journalist, railway campaigner and self proclaimed engineering nerd.
http://Youtube.com/@Rail_Focus
he/him/they/them 🏳️‍🌈
Given that continued overdependence on fossil fuel can only end with resource wars and or climate catastrophe, either way people like Andrew Neil are basically saying their children and grandchildren can deal with the consequences.
The average U.K household pays 39p - 50 U.S cents - a day to fund a clean, secure, domestic energy system.

This is a bargain, which would have cost even less if Andrew Neil’s right wing heroes had invested North Sea oil and gas revenues instead of using them to fund tax breaks for millionaires.
February 11, 2026 at 11:36 AM
It was fantastic to see the first refurbished CrossCountry Class 220 (003) today. I must say the new livery has grown on me! The brand new seats certainly seem to provide more leg room and while the padding feels firm, I can confirm the seats are comfortable. 1/2
February 10, 2026 at 8:26 PM
It was fantastic to see the first refurbished @CrossCountryUK Class 220 (003) today. I must say the new livery has grown on me! The brand new seats certainly seem to provide more leg room and while the padding feels firm I can confirm the seats are comfortable. 1/2
February 10, 2026 at 8:25 PM
The March issue of @todaysrailwaysuk.bsky.social includes a detailed look at "Bellingham Bridge" (Curzon No.2 Viaduct) and the complex #HS2 approach into Birmingham. Available now!
February 10, 2026 at 9:54 AM
Cheshire West & Chester councillors managed to stop what was effectively a Section 28 style motion to ban an inclusive event at #Storyhouse. 22 for and 35 against was a significant majority. But this is a worrying sign of what's to come. Imagine if the council had been majority run by Reform.
February 10, 2026 at 8:52 AM
🚨 Latest Video 🚨 South Wales Metro progress, looking at the Cardiff Bay Line upgrade and upgrade of Cardiff Queen Street, which is due to take place in 2027
▶️ youtu.be/MtpSCytUTlQ ◀️
#TransportforWales #SouthWales
South Wales Metro is Almost Complete!
YouTube video by Rail Focus
youtu.be
February 9, 2026 at 12:21 PM
🚨 Latest Video 🚨 South Wales Metro progress, looking at the Cardiff Bay Line upgrade and upgrade of Cardiff Queen Street, which is due to take place in 2027
▶️ youtu.be/MtpSCytUTlQ ◀️
#SouthWalesMetro #Cardiff
South Wales Metro is Almost Complete!
YouTube video by Rail Focus
youtu.be
February 8, 2026 at 8:45 PM
🚨 Latest Video 🚨 South Wales Metro progress, looking at the Cardiff Bay Line upgrade and upgrade of Cardiff Queen Street, which is due to take place in 2027
▶️ youtu.be/MtpSCytUTlQ ◀️
February 8, 2026 at 4:08 PM
I am planning to release a video today, it may just be a little bit later than usual.
February 8, 2026 at 12:48 PM
If Reform gets into power they're going to try and introduce Section 28 aren't they. No one from the LGBTQ+ community should even be entertaining the thought of voting for Reform.

"Reform councillor Mandy Clare"
February 7, 2026 at 10:00 PM
If ever there was an image that exemplifies why pubs are dying it's this. As a non drinker I can't think of walking into a dinghy pub, day or night. I think even if I wanted to support a local, if I asked for a soya latte I'd be shown the door. My modern friendly coffee shop is much more welcoming.
February 7, 2026 at 7:20 PM
Reposted by Rail Focus - Chris 🏳️‍🌈
Does anyone know what NPR is anymore?

My news analysis from the latest issue takes a deeper look at how it asked more questions than gave answers...
News Analysis: More questions than answers in NPR announcement
RICHARD WILCOCK examines the political chess of the NPR announcement, which ensured that nobody is quite clear on what it is anymore.
www.railmagazine.com
February 6, 2026 at 11:04 AM
Bannon's involvement in Brexit was well documented, but nobody cared. The right wing media wants to carry on the Brexit charade at any cost so will continue to con people gullible enough to believe Brexit was ever about the interests of the people.
February 4, 2026 at 11:13 PM
I don't list cartography as one of my skills, but it's nice to see one of my maps in print. Coverage of NPR is the latest issue of @railmagazine.bsky.social, which is available now.
February 4, 2026 at 2:45 PM
Reposted by Rail Focus - Chris 🏳️‍🌈
The latest issue of
@railmagazine.bsky.social
is on sale TODAY with the latest news, best comment and features, including:
🛤️ EMR might buy more diesel trains
🛤️ Eurostar “not scared of competition”
🛤️ Walk the line: beyond Ashington?
🛤️ Scotland’s railways in the snow

railmagazine.com
February 4, 2026 at 9:19 AM
Reposted by Rail Focus - Chris 🏳️‍🌈
In she goes… the 48-wheeler Self Propelled Modular Transporter lines up the new concrete box that will form the walkway and bridge abutment at Botley Road. The jacks in the foreground will lift the box into position, enabling the SPMT to be driven out again.
February 3, 2026 at 4:21 PM
Reposted by Rail Focus - Chris 🏳️‍🌈
New VIDEO!

The GWR Battery Train came into service very early at 05.30am on Saturday over the weekend, and I went along to ride the first train of the day ...

youtu.be/Lvb33T3ZJnw
The GWR Battery Train is in Passenger Service!
YouTube video by Geoff Marshall
youtu.be
February 3, 2026 at 5:22 PM
The last two weeks have been challenging to say the least and this week the builders in doing some work to the house. But I am currently writing the script for the next video and I'm aiming to release it on Sunday, or possibly early next week.
#SouthWalesMetro #Cardiff
February 3, 2026 at 5:14 PM
Reposted by Rail Focus - Chris 🏳️‍🌈
Re-worked a large area of Thorepness just so I could fit in Anfield Stadium. I'm not trying to recreate Liverpool or a real UK city, but there's some inspiration there.
#CitiesSkylinesII #CitiesSkylines2
February 3, 2026 at 4:25 PM
BBC strikes again! At least 3/4 of the article dedicated to people complaining. I know it's a bit of a stretch to blame the media for high construction costs, but I genuinely believe they should bear some responsibility, with their hostile reporting and giving excessive copy to opponents. 1/2
February 3, 2026 at 9:17 AM
Completely normal panel rattle for a modern train 😶
February 2, 2026 at 3:41 PM
Reposted by Rail Focus - Chris 🏳️‍🌈
Ok, let’s do this🙄

We’ll start with an explainer covering:

🕒What is a 15-minute city
🏫What on Earth is going on with Oxford
👽Where the conspiracy theories have come from

And then we’ll look at the Telegraph article

🧵
1/25
February 1, 2026 at 11:13 AM
The day many thought would never come
It's all go down at Oxford station. The old bridge decks have been removed, with work now focusing on removing the abutments.
February 2, 2026 at 2:46 PM
Bathroom fitter arrived around 09:30, by 13:00 the old bathroom was no more.
squidward from spongebob squarepants is laying in a hammock
ALT: squidward from spongebob squarepants is laying in a hammock
media.tenor.com
February 2, 2026 at 1:26 PM