Richard Long
@rclongauthor.bsky.social
Full time dad and part time railway author. Winner of Third Prize Non-Fiction at the 2025 Isle of Wight Book Awards for “Upgrading the Isle of Wight’s Railway”.
https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/rclong
https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/rclong
Pinned
SPECIAL OFFER: Right now - until 1 December - can buy both of my Pen & Sword titles for 30% off the the RRP in the @penandswordbooks.bsky.social Black Friday Sale! www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Richard-C-Lo...
#IsleofWight #IslandLine #StIves #StIvesBranchLine
#IsleofWight #IslandLine #StIves #StIvesBranchLine
Reposted by Richard Long
Finally getting some theological clarity on the ethics of reclining in one’s plane seat
November 29, 2025 at 12:13 PM
Finally getting some theological clarity on the ethics of reclining in one’s plane seat
Reposted by Richard Long
We unveiled a plaque today with Cllr Phil Jordan, Leader of Isle Wight Council at Ryde Esplanade Stn to celebrate all the improvements undertaken by them & @SW_Help, part of which we funded with a £93k grant. Great new cafe & waiting room, & good to see the pier tramway columns revealed & restored.
November 28, 2025 at 4:14 PM
We unveiled a plaque today with Cllr Phil Jordan, Leader of Isle Wight Council at Ryde Esplanade Stn to celebrate all the improvements undertaken by them & @SW_Help, part of which we funded with a £93k grant. Great new cafe & waiting room, & good to see the pier tramway columns revealed & restored.
Reposted by Richard Long
'I often dream of trains when I'm alone
I ride on them into another zone
I dream of them constantly, heading for paradise
Or Basingstoke, or Reading'
- 'I Often Dream of Trains' by Robyn Hitchcock (1984)
- 📷 Basingstoke, England, 1971, taken by B Mills
I ride on them into another zone
I dream of them constantly, heading for paradise
Or Basingstoke, or Reading'
- 'I Often Dream of Trains' by Robyn Hitchcock (1984)
- 📷 Basingstoke, England, 1971, taken by B Mills
November 28, 2025 at 12:53 PM
'I often dream of trains when I'm alone
I ride on them into another zone
I dream of them constantly, heading for paradise
Or Basingstoke, or Reading'
- 'I Often Dream of Trains' by Robyn Hitchcock (1984)
- 📷 Basingstoke, England, 1971, taken by B Mills
I ride on them into another zone
I dream of them constantly, heading for paradise
Or Basingstoke, or Reading'
- 'I Often Dream of Trains' by Robyn Hitchcock (1984)
- 📷 Basingstoke, England, 1971, taken by B Mills
Reposted by Richard Long
The way she's waving that frying pan around I'm not sure it's such a care-free holiday. Cover of the London & North Eastern Railway's Camping Coaches leaflet - these were converted carriages parked up stations or on sidings & let out as holiday homes. #railways #holidays
↘️ flic.kr/p/2rHG3oQ
↘️ flic.kr/p/2rHG3oQ
November 28, 2025 at 10:11 AM
The way she's waving that frying pan around I'm not sure it's such a care-free holiday. Cover of the London & North Eastern Railway's Camping Coaches leaflet - these were converted carriages parked up stations or on sidings & let out as holiday homes. #railways #holidays
↘️ flic.kr/p/2rHG3oQ
↘️ flic.kr/p/2rHG3oQ
Reposted by Richard Long
The new scalable British #NationalRail maps are live from today. Very clever idea in many ways, you zoom in or out for more or less detail. Have a play #rail, @transitmap.net and #map fans! railmap.nationalrail.co.uk#/mapview
November 28, 2025 at 11:37 AM
The new scalable British #NationalRail maps are live from today. Very clever idea in many ways, you zoom in or out for more or less detail. Have a play #rail, @transitmap.net and #map fans! railmap.nationalrail.co.uk#/mapview
Reposted by Richard Long
We are now further away from the theatrical release of Raiders of the Lost Ark (June 12, 1981) than it was from the year it takes place in (1936). We have reached the Indiana Jones event horizon.
November 27, 2025 at 12:49 AM
We are now further away from the theatrical release of Raiders of the Lost Ark (June 12, 1981) than it was from the year it takes place in (1936). We have reached the Indiana Jones event horizon.
Reposted by Richard Long
November 24, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Reposted by Richard Long
'You're just taking your ass to the top of that building
Throwing yourself under cars and trains
Taking the pill that you know will kill you
Under the wheels, the same, the same'
- 'Cars and Trains' by George Michael (2004)
- 📷 Grantham, England, 1962, taken by Jack Ray
Throwing yourself under cars and trains
Taking the pill that you know will kill you
Under the wheels, the same, the same'
- 'Cars and Trains' by George Michael (2004)
- 📷 Grantham, England, 1962, taken by Jack Ray
November 27, 2025 at 6:08 PM
'You're just taking your ass to the top of that building
Throwing yourself under cars and trains
Taking the pill that you know will kill you
Under the wheels, the same, the same'
- 'Cars and Trains' by George Michael (2004)
- 📷 Grantham, England, 1962, taken by Jack Ray
Throwing yourself under cars and trains
Taking the pill that you know will kill you
Under the wheels, the same, the same'
- 'Cars and Trains' by George Michael (2004)
- 📷 Grantham, England, 1962, taken by Jack Ray
Reposted by Richard Long
Great afternoon exploring the southern half of the Isle of Wight Railway. Highlight was listed Brading Station and its excellent restored footbridge, together with signal box accessible from the platform and framed by a nice picket fence.
November 27, 2025 at 7:16 PM
Great afternoon exploring the southern half of the Isle of Wight Railway. Highlight was listed Brading Station and its excellent restored footbridge, together with signal box accessible from the platform and framed by a nice picket fence.
Reposted by Richard Long
Looking for a Christmas gift for the train geek in your life? There’s still a few days left to take advantage of this Black Friday offer!
SPECIAL OFFER: Right now - until 1 December - can buy both of my Pen & Sword titles for 30% off the the RRP in the @penandswordbooks.bsky.social Black Friday Sale! www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Richard-C-Lo...
#IsleofWight #IslandLine #StIves #StIvesBranchLine
#IsleofWight #IslandLine #StIves #StIvesBranchLine
November 26, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Looking for a Christmas gift for the train geek in your life? There’s still a few days left to take advantage of this Black Friday offer!
Reposted by Richard Long
Wake up to 400 emails on how I can hide my money from the Chancellor and, as ever, it's good to see the generous, warm-hearted, UK press in action.
November 27, 2025 at 7:37 AM
Wake up to 400 emails on how I can hide my money from the Chancellor and, as ever, it's good to see the generous, warm-hearted, UK press in action.
Looking for a Christmas gift for the train geek in your life? There’s still a few days left to take advantage of this Black Friday offer!
SPECIAL OFFER: Right now - until 1 December - can buy both of my Pen & Sword titles for 30% off the the RRP in the @penandswordbooks.bsky.social Black Friday Sale! www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Richard-C-Lo...
#IsleofWight #IslandLine #StIves #StIvesBranchLine
#IsleofWight #IslandLine #StIves #StIvesBranchLine
November 26, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Looking for a Christmas gift for the train geek in your life? There’s still a few days left to take advantage of this Black Friday offer!
Reposted by Richard Long
On budget day, think of George Ward Hunt, who delivered his only budget in 1868.
On arriving in the Commons he discovered that he'd left his speech behind, & had to run home to get it while MPs sat grumbling in the Chamber.
That is why chancellors show the red box to journalists before setting out
On arriving in the Commons he discovered that he'd left his speech behind, & had to run home to get it while MPs sat grumbling in the Chamber.
That is why chancellors show the red box to journalists before setting out
November 26, 2025 at 12:04 PM
On budget day, think of George Ward Hunt, who delivered his only budget in 1868.
On arriving in the Commons he discovered that he'd left his speech behind, & had to run home to get it while MPs sat grumbling in the Chamber.
That is why chancellors show the red box to journalists before setting out
On arriving in the Commons he discovered that he'd left his speech behind, & had to run home to get it while MPs sat grumbling in the Chamber.
That is why chancellors show the red box to journalists before setting out
Reposted by Richard Long
Suggs and the boys, great bunch of lads, always said so.
‘Madness’ to increase welfare spending in Budget, says AO World boss
‘Madness’ to increase welfare spending in Budget, says AO World boss
‘Madness’ to increase welfare spending in Budget, says AO World boss
www.independent.co.uk
November 26, 2025 at 8:38 AM
Suggs and the boys, great bunch of lads, always said so.
Reposted by Richard Long
Budget day at last.
November 26, 2025 at 8:31 AM
Budget day at last.
Reposted by Richard Long
one of the coolest things about ChatGPT is how you can actually just never use it. you can fill your whole entire life with simply not once using it. it's incredible.
November 25, 2025 at 4:15 PM
one of the coolest things about ChatGPT is how you can actually just never use it. you can fill your whole entire life with simply not once using it. it's incredible.
Reposted by Richard Long
Fun history fact! If you were born in the 12th century, by now you'd be dead.
November 25, 2025 at 11:40 AM
Fun history fact! If you were born in the 12th century, by now you'd be dead.
Reposted by Richard Long
OH. COME. ON.
November 24, 2025 at 1:27 PM
OH. COME. ON.
Reposted by Richard Long
do you have any idea how much you have to piss somebody off to make them change their gauge
#Finland will begin to #Russia - proof its rail network, integrate with EU train infrastructure.
The Finnish government has announced the conversion of its rail network from Russian gauge (1,524 mm) to European standard (1,435 mm).
www.trenvista.net/en/news/flas...
The Finnish government has announced the conversion of its rail network from Russian gauge (1,524 mm) to European standard (1,435 mm).
www.trenvista.net/en/news/flas...
November 23, 2025 at 4:40 PM
do you have any idea how much you have to piss somebody off to make them change their gauge
Reposted by Richard Long
When your shop is closing and every customer has the same three questions
November 23, 2025 at 4:49 PM
When your shop is closing and every customer has the same three questions
Reposted by Richard Long
It’s a very happy #DoctorWhoDay from us - we’re delighted to announce we’ve successfully acquired the archive of Whoniverse legend Terrance Dicks 😲 Read more at the link:
www.york.ac.uk/borthwick/ne...
www.york.ac.uk/borthwick/ne...
November 23, 2025 at 10:49 AM
It’s a very happy #DoctorWhoDay from us - we’re delighted to announce we’ve successfully acquired the archive of Whoniverse legend Terrance Dicks 😲 Read more at the link:
www.york.ac.uk/borthwick/ne...
www.york.ac.uk/borthwick/ne...
Reposted by Richard Long
“I’d like the most Yorkshire quote you can get.”
November 22, 2025 at 5:59 PM
“I’d like the most Yorkshire quote you can get.”
Reposted by Richard Long
You like fish? You like sex? You like Christmas? Then allow me to be the first to wish you a…
November 22, 2025 at 6:54 PM
You like fish? You like sex? You like Christmas? Then allow me to be the first to wish you a…
Reposted by Richard Long
Ok Bluesky, let’s give this a go: I found this postcard in the back of a photo frame I bought at a London thrift shop.
It’s an unsent postcard from a woman called Linda to her parents. The front shows the Kremlin in Moscow and the stamp says 1984 (!).
I’d love to return it to Linda - can you help?
It’s an unsent postcard from a woman called Linda to her parents. The front shows the Kremlin in Moscow and the stamp says 1984 (!).
I’d love to return it to Linda - can you help?
November 21, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Ok Bluesky, let’s give this a go: I found this postcard in the back of a photo frame I bought at a London thrift shop.
It’s an unsent postcard from a woman called Linda to her parents. The front shows the Kremlin in Moscow and the stamp says 1984 (!).
I’d love to return it to Linda - can you help?
It’s an unsent postcard from a woman called Linda to her parents. The front shows the Kremlin in Moscow and the stamp says 1984 (!).
I’d love to return it to Linda - can you help?