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Home after a fantastic 4 days in Scotland, focusing on visiting new stations and riding HSTs! ✅️ 30 out of 52 Scotrail Class 43s ✅️ 32 new stations ✅️ 1,667 miles ❌️ 181 delay minutes

Photo shows a Scotrail HST arriving at Blair Atholl station. The train is passing a tall semaphore signal to the left and a signal box to the right. There are trees on both sides of the train. There are mountains dominating the skyline in the distance.

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ACETrainsUK @acetrains.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

What better way to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the HST than with over 3 hours on one?

Photo shows two HST trains stood end-to-end in the same platform at Inverness station. The front set has passengers boarding, whilst only the front powercar of the rear set is seen. The weather is cloudy.

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ACETrainsUK @acetrains.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

The meeting of the HSTs... Another excellent day of Scotrail trains, with multiple required Class 43 powercars and stations complete: ✅️ Inverness Airport ✅️ Kingussie ✅️ Newtonmore ✅️ Blair Atholl ✅️ Pitlochry ✅️ Dunkeld & Birnam Not a bad haul considering how far apart the stations are on this line!

Photo shows two HST trains passing each other at the south end of Dunkeld and Birnam station. The train on the left, of which only the lead powercar can be seen, is stationary at a tall semaphore signal. The train on the right is moving slowly into the platform. There are tall trees lining the track. The weather is sunny though the scene is in shadow.

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ACETrainsUK @acetrains.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Over the top... Today's focus is a combination of required HSTs and new stations on the Highland Mainline, which passes over Druimuachadar Pass, the highest point on the national rail network (Leadhills & Wanlockhead and Snowdon Mountain Railways are higher but preserved/heritage lines instead).

Photo shows a sign on wooden posts next to a railway line. The sign reads Druimuachadar Pass, 1,484 feet, 452 metres, Highest Point on rail network. There is a tall mountain with moorland in the background. The picture is partially blurry due to being taken from a train.

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ACETrainsUK @acetrains.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Another tranche of stations in the North-East of Scotland completed last night and today! ✅️ Broughty Ferry ✅️ Barry Links ✅️ Golf Street ✅️ Carnoustie ✅️ Arbroath ✅️ Montrose ✅️ Dyce ✅️ Inverurie ✅️ Insch ✅️ Huntly ✅️ Elgin ✅️ Forres ✅️ Nairn

Photo shows the view from Huntly station facing north. There are two tracks, which merge into one in the distance. Both tracks have a semaphore signal. On the left track is the front of a Scotrail HST powercar. There are trees lining the track in the distance.

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ACETrainsUK @acetrains.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

A scene that, if you perhaps squinted a little, could well have been the country end of Paddington station just 10 years ago... Three Scotrail HSTs line up awaiting their next workings at Aberdeen this morning.

Photo shows three HST trains side-by-side at Aberdeen station platforms 3, 4 and 5. All three of the powercars have their tail lights illuminated and are at the buffer stops. Platform 3 and 4 is an island platform that separates the left train to the middle train. An overhrad canopy constructed of wood and glass covers all the platforms.

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ACETrainsUK @acetrains.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Alongside ticking off new stations, the next few days will also give me a chance to tick off a few HSTs, which are still going strong in the North-East of Scotland. These are due to be phased out over the next few years as Class 222 sets migrate north, marking the end of timetabled HSTs in the UK.

Photo shows a ScotRail HST train arriving at Montrose station. The train is passing a signal box and a semaphore signal to the left. The start of the station platform lies directly in front of the train. There are hills and woods in the distance.

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ACETrainsUK @acetrains.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Lots of stations ticked so far today, with Kinghorn perhaps taking the award for most scenic view! ✅️ Inverkeithing ✅️ Dalgety Bay ✅️ Aberdour ✅️ Burntisland ✅️ Kinghorn ✅️ Kirkcaldy ✅️ Markinch ✅️ Ladybank ✅️ Cupar ✅️ Leuchars

Photo shows a view from a railway station footbridge. There are two platforms, serving a track apiece, which curve away into the distance. To the right is a bay with a beach and several houses. A church sits within the houses. There are waves gently breaking on the shoreline and a container ship out to sea. The sky is blue with a few small clouds scattered in the distance.

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ACETrainsUK @acetrains.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Another photo from a recent trip on the Harz Railway in Germany, with 187 013 looking rather peaceful at Hasselfelde station. As is sadly common these days on this line, I was the sole passenger for the journey from Eisfelder Talmühle, which did make for a relaxing journey.

Photo shows a Class 187 railcar stood at Hasselfelde station in Germany. The railcar is painted red and cream. There is a white station building to the left. The platform is at ground level and consists of gravel. The tracks are overgrown with grass and weeds.

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ACETrainsUK @acetrains.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Spent 15 minutes looking down on a busy Berlin HBf last night, envious of the range of destinations gracing the departure boards as passengers settle into their beds on the Stockholm-bound sleeper.

Photo shows a wide view of the lower level platforms at Berlin Hauptbahnhof station. There is a DB ICE train in ome platform and a Snalltaget sleeper train in another platform, hauled by a vectron electric locomotive. There are escalators up to the next level, from where the photo is taken.

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ACETrainsUK @acetrains.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

A fantastic day on the Harz network, focusing on the Selketalbahn, which is due to close soon for dam construction work, with doubts over whether it will ever reopen. Sadly, I was the only passenger on some of the trains today, so I can see how it may be hard to justify continuing the service.

Photo shows a steam locomotive leading a rake of red and cream carriages around a corner on the side of a forested hill. The picture is taken from further back on the same train and it is taken on the Harz Railway system.

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ACETrainsUK @acetrains.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

No prizes for guessing why I came to this part of Germany... Here is my traction for the first part of today!

Photo shows a large narrow gauge steam locomotive at Quedlingburg station. The locomotive has three lights on the front and is numbered 99 7243 1. There are several people waiting to board the train to the left. There is a watering pole to the right. The weather is wet and overcast.

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ACETrainsUK @acetrains.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Some loco action at Rathenow, between Berlin and Wolfsburg, this morning. Plenty of loco-hauled Regional trains to use my Deutschland ticket on in this area!

Photo shows an old diesel locomotive with a curved cab at both ends and three headlights on the front. The locomotive is sitting in a side platform at Rathenow station and is painted in red and yellow livery.

Photo shows a DB Class 112 electric locomotive stood at the platform at Rathenow station with a rake of 5 double-decker carriages in tow. Several people are waiting to board the train on the right.

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ACETrainsUK @acetrains.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Reached a milestone on my YouTube channel today! 🎊🎉

Photo shows a screenshot from YouTube that says ACE Trains UK, 4000 subscribers. There is a photo of a First Great Western HST at Reading next to the text.

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ACETrainsUK @acetrains.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

Despite issues on the WCML both ways, it was a great day out in London, filming trains at Wandsworth Road, Kensington Olympia, Forest Gate and Hanwell! The upside to the delays is that 75% of my open return fare should be refunded, meaning the whole day + travelcard from Birmingham was just £30 🤣

Photo shows two pairs of Southeastern Class 465 units climbing up towards London Victoria at Wandsworth Road station. There are three tracks on a viaduct, which curves in a sweeping S-shape into the distance. There are high-rise building either side of the viaduct.

Photo shows the unusual sight of a London Overground Class 710 unit at Kensington Olympia station. The train is stood on the far platform, with two empty tracks and another platform in the foreground. A metal footbridge spans all the tracks. There are trees and medium height buildings in the distance. The weather is cloudy with some blue skies.

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ACETrainsUK @acetrains.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

Me: I think I'll have a nice day out on trains for the first time in ages! The WCML: hehe, somehow I don't think so...

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ACETrainsUK @acetrains.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

The eclipse from the West Midlands, UK. Spectacular event any time it happens and one that briefly unites humanity in a turbulent world.

Photo shows the sun being mostly obscured by the moon. There is a thin crescent facing upward. The rest of the scene is dark.

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ACETrainsUK @acetrains.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

172331 sporting the updated WMR livery, bringing the fleet in line with the identity worn by the 196 and 730/0 fleets.

Photo shows West Midlands Railway Class 172, number 331, arriving at Rowley Regis station. The train is sporting the newer orange and purple livery for West Midlands Railway. There are several people waiting to board the train. The weather is sunny.

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ACETrainsUK @acetrains.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

Some views of St Philip's Marsh depot and the Portbury Docks branch from the tour today. The latter of these will be mostly visible to the general public when the Portishead branch is reopened in a couple of years, with station construction works already well underway at Pill.

Photo shows an maintenance building at St Philips Marsh depot in Bristol. The building has four tracks leading into it, with trains stood on two of these inside the building. There is also a yellow gantry crane spanning three of the tracks. The weather is sunny with some clouds.

Photo shows the village of Pill as seen from a railway viaduct that passes through the middle of it. There are houses either side of a small valley, which leads down to the River Avon. There are some boats sitting on the river bank and a road leading to the river bank. The weather is sunny with broken clouds.

Photo shows the underside of the Clifton Suspension Bridge looking up from the train window. The bridge has a single span, supported by a stone tower atop of a tall cliff. The weather is sunny with blue skies.

Photo shows a view of a large car park at Portbury Docks, which is an import terminal. There is a road in the foreground, with the front of the train snaking in the same direction. There is a tall bulk storage building in the distance. The weather is sunny with broken clouds.

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ACETrainsUK @acetrains.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

A cracking day out behind 47593 and 47712 on "The Avon Gorgeous" railtour, with apt weather for the occasion. After a winding route from Crewe to Bristol via Hereford and Oxford, we traversed the Portbury Docks branch into the facility itself, a nice bonus compared to what was advertised!

Photo shows Class 47, number 47712 stood at Bristol Temple Meads under the main trainshed. The locomotive is painted in British Rail Scotrail livery whilst the carriages are in a mix of Scotrail and Intercity liveries. There are three empty tracks to the right of the train. The weather is sunny.

Photo shows Class 47, number 47593, stood at Bristol Temple Meads station under the main trainshed. The locomotive is painted in British Rail Intercity livery. There is a GWR IET train to the left. The weather is sunny with the sun streaming in through the glass roof.

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ACETrainsUK @acetrains.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

A cracking day out to the West Somerset Railway on the Thumper yesterday! There was also a mini-tour around the Norton Fitzwarren triangle, allowing us to score this rare track. The evening was a Crompton-fest, with WSR's D6566 and WCRC's 33025/207 seen at Bishops Lydeard before our journey home

Photo shows Hastings DEMU unit, numbered 1013, crossing the pointwork to the south of Redhill station as it arrives into the station. There are a large number of trees in the distance. There is also a 15mph speed limit sign on the ground by the track.

Photo shows a 2-car West Somerset Railway DMU, with a Class 115 vehicle leading. The train is stood in the bay platform at Norton Fitzwarren station. There are engineering wagons immediately in front of the train. A large number of people are walking along the platform. It is sunny with blue skies and no clouds.

Photo shows a Class 33 locomotive stood with a rake of Mark 1 carriages at Bishops Lydeard station. The locomotive is painted in Southern green with a white stripe and the headcode board shows 69. There is another platform and track to the right, with a ticket office and benches. A locomotive shed is in the distance, with several carriages stood adjacent to this. The weather is sunny with cloudless blue skies.

Photo shows a pair of Class 33s heading a railtour into Bishops Lydeard. The locomotives are painted in West Coast Railways maroon, whilst the carriages are a mix of maroon and British Rail grey and blue. There is a pair of semaphore signals in front of the train, with the left-hand one pointing downwards, clearing the train into the western platform. There is a 15mph speed limit sign facing the train and a 25mph sign in the opposite direction. There is shrubbery and lots of trees either side of the train.

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ACETrainsUK @acetrains.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

A little "guess where?" puzzle... A lonely track comes to an abrupt end before a bridge

Photo shows a railway track stopping short of a bridge, with a buffer stop at the end. There is a plastic bucket and cone to the right and some shrubbery to the left.

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ACETrainsUK @acetrains.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

A great day out at the Real Ale festival at the Gloucestershire and Warwickshire Railway, with 24081 and 37215 for haulage!

Photo shows a Class 24 arriving at Winchcombe station. The locomotive is painted in British Rail blue with a rake of Mark 1 carriages behind it. The second man is leaning out of the open cab door. The weather is sunny with blue skies.

Photo shows a Class 37 diesel locomotive stood at Toddington station. The locomotive is painted in British Rail blue with a rake of 3 mark 1 carriages behind it. The weather is sunny with blue skies and broken clouds.

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ACETrainsUK @acetrains.bsky.social · 30/05/2026

A view over Shrewsbury at lunchtime, with a Mark 4 set departing towards Cardiff, a Class 196 arriving from Birmingham and a quartet of dogboxes stabled in the carriage sidings. All under the watchful eye of the largest mechanical signal box in the world!

Photo shows a wide angle shot of the south of Shrewsbury station taken from a high vantage point. A TfW Class 67 and Mark 4 set is departing towards Cardiff to the right. Several tracks curve to the left and a West Midlands Railway train is waiting to enter from the Birmingham direction. There are four Class 153 units sat in the carriage sidings to the left. A tall signal box stands on the right. Lots of houses dominate the background.

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ACETrainsUK @acetrains.bsky.social · 23/05/2026

Various traction seen at Jesenice in Slovenia whilst waiting for a connection, including a Germany to Croatia Eurocity, a Jesenice to Ljubljana EMU and a pair of Vectrons on a freight working.

Photo shows a Class 182 Taurus Locomotive stood af Jesenice station platform 1 with a rake of 4 Euro City carriages. There are several other tracks to the left, with an island platform. There are long concrete canopies above the platforms. There are tall forested mountains rising in the distance. The weather is sunny with some clouds.

Photo shows a three-car double decker Stadler Electric multiple unit train at Jesenice station. The train is painted in blue and white Slovenian Railways livery. There are two tracks and a platform in the foreground. There is a wide concrete signal box behind the train. Hills rise either side of the train. The sky is blue.

Photo shows a pair of OBB Siemens Vectron locomotives on a freight train at Jesenice station sidings. There are two empty tracks in the foreground with weeds growing out of them. There are two old steam water columns either side of the tracks. A tall hill rises behind the locomotive. The sky is blue.

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ACETrainsUK @acetrains.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

Loco action aplenty in Villach, with numerous ÖBB examples on a variety of passenger and freight workings! Love the fact loco haulage is still going strong on the continent, despite more services being taken over by Siemens/Stadler multiple units.

Photo shows two Class 182 Taurus locomotives side by side at Villach Hauptbahnhof station. The locomotive on the left is working a railjet service, whilst the locomotive on the right is working an OBB intercity service. There is a platform canopy in the middle and a sign that says 5F on the left and 4F on the right. The sky is blue with few clouds.

Photo shows a Railjet train at Villach Hauptbahnhof station. The locomotive is painted in City Airport Train green, whilst the carriages are painted in Railjet red and black. There are two empty tracks to the right and a red signal in the top right corner. The sky is blue with few clouds.

Photo shows a Siemens Vectron locomotive stood at the front of a freight train in Villach Yard. The cargo consists of double decker car carriers with Skoda models on top. There are numerous other tracks in the foreground and background. There is an OBB workshop in the distance and mountains rising up from the valley. The weather is sunny.

Photo shows a double headed OBB freight train climbing an incline at the back of Villach Yard. The front locomotive is a Class 182 Taurus, whilst the second locomotive is an Class 1144. Both are painted in OBB red livery. There are numerous empty tracks and a car park in the foreground. The weather is sunny.

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ACETrainsUK @acetrains.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

✅️ Semmering Pass Another line ticked off the bucket list, with a leisurely climb over Austria's Semmering Pass in a Railjet on a beautiful day. This spectacular line will no longer be served by intercity and freight trains from 2030ish, once the Semmering Base Tunnel is complete.

Photo shows a view from a passenger seat looking towards the front of a Rail jet train turning a corner. The train is passing over a viaduct and is about to enter a tunnel. There are forest-coveree mountains to the left.

Photo shows the view from a train window looking over a wide valley plain. There are two tracks in the foreground. The sky is blue with very few clouds.

Photo shows the view from a train window looking down a steep valley bound by forest-covered mountains. There are meadows in the foreground. The sky is blue with broken clouds.

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ACETrainsUK @acetrains.bsky.social · 21/05/2026

If the Clockwork Orange was a full-sized metro train, this is how I'd imagine the interior to be like... Love the retro feel of the Vienna Metro system, still with manual sliding door handles!

Photo shows the interior of a Vienna Metro U1 train. There are bays of 4 seats along the carriage and lots of grab rails. The doors are orange and lights are yellow. Several people are sitting and a couple of people are standing.

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ACETrainsUK @acetrains.bsky.social · 21/05/2026

Some tram action in Vienna...more of this in the UK please! 🚊🚊

Photo shows two trams side by side turning a corner on a street. Both trams are made up of 6 sections and are operating route number 2. There are trees and old buildings in the background.

Photo shows a 5 part tram stood at a tram stop in the road. The tram is operating route 1. There are trees in the background and a pedestrian crossing in the foreground.

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ACETrainsUK @acetrains.bsky.social · 03/05/2026

A brilliant couple of hours, with every single piece of track in Banbury depot ticked off! A big thanks to Chiltern Railways and BLS for facilitating the railtour, not least with the ballet-style maneuvres to shunt everything out of the way for us as we went around!

Photo shows a wide view of Banbury train depot. There are multiple tracks, two of which have Chiltern diesel trains sitting on them. There is a wash shed above one track and a canopy above the fuelling road. There is a gantry connecting four of the tracks. There are footpaths and lights alongside each track. The weather is overcast.

Photo shows a Class 68 Chiltern Railways Explorer train at Banbury depot. The train is painted in a dark and light blue livery. There is an empty track with lights alongside in front of the train. There is a large grassy expanse in the foreground. A small wash shed and gantry are seen in the distance.

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ACETrainsUK @acetrains.bsky.social · 03/05/2026

Now for a rather unusual railtour... Chiltern's 165006 is our chariot for 2 hours 23 minutes today, as we attempt to traverse all the track within the Banbury Depot complex. The proceeds from today's tour will go to the Railway Children charity, which Chiltern are doing the 3 peaks challenge for.

Photo shows a 2-car Chiltern Class 165 diesel train stood at Banbury station platform 2. There are several people on the platform, some of whom are in hi-visibility jackets. There is a canopy and footbridge above the train.

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ACETrainsUK @acetrains.bsky.social · 19/04/2026

After yesterday's great tour, today sees a couple of rare track opportunities before home. Firstly, engineering work on the Piccadilly Line offers the chance to traverse the Hyde Park Corner crossover. Then, engineering work at Fenchurch Street means that Platform 1A at Upminster is available!

Photo shows a Class 357 electric train stood at Upminster platform 1A. The train is painted in c2c pink and white livery with the number 357017 on the front. There is a platform to the left and a flight of stairs leading up to a footbridge. The weather is sunny with blue sky.

Photo shows a set of railway points in a tube tunnel. There is one track going straight on and one track going to the left. There are orange lights illuminating the tunnel. A set of safety signs are attached to a door in the foreground, warning passengers about high voltage and not to pass this point.

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ACETrainsUK @acetrains.bsky.social · 18/04/2026

A leg stretch at Spalding, offering a photo opportunity. This is much-needed considering there are no breaks on this tour for those staying on for the Hunslet branch!

Photo shows a Class 57 diesel locomotive at Spalding station. The locomotive is painted in GBRf livery with the number 57305 on the side. There is a rake of 9 Mark 2 carriages behind the locomotive. An ornate station canopy and footbridge are seen in the background. The weather is bright sunshine with few clouds.

Photo shows a train stood at Spalding station. The train consists of a Class 57 diesel locomotive and a rake of Mark 2 carriages. A large crowd of people are walking all over the platform. The weather is bright sunshine.

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ACETrainsUK @acetrains.bsky.social · 18/04/2026

Railtour number 65 for me... Today sees what is expected to be the final passenger-carrying tour into Doncaster Works before its scheduled closure at the end of the year. We also traverse the Hunslet branch in Leeds. 57305 is our steed for much of the day, with 66704 having brought the stock in.

Photo shows an LNER Azuma and a Class 57 diesel locomotive side by side at London Kings Cross station. The LNER Azuma has a vinyl on the side that shows a puppet singing "she's electric". The Class 57 diesel locomotive is painted in GBRf colours and has a UK Railtours headboard attached to the front. The arched glass roof of Kings Cross is seen above both trains.

Photo shows a Class 66 diesel locomotive stood at the buffers at Kings Cross station. The locomotive is painted in GBRf colours and is numbered 66704. Several people are walking along the platform to the left of the train. The glass arched roof of Kings Cross is seen above the train.

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ACETrainsUK @acetrains.bsky.social · 17/04/2026

The feeling when you're booked on a railtour tomorrow but there's still no timings in real time trains... Here's hoping there is indeed a Class 57 and carriages at Kings Cross at 07:21 in the morning 😅

media.tenor.com

a man in a suit and tie is holding a jacket over his shoulder

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ACETrainsUK @acetrains.bsky.social · 01/04/2026

As the Stourbridge Town cars reach almost 20 years in service, the DfT have announced their replacement. The new units, numbered Class 139.5, is set to be introduced on 1st April 2028, featuring world-class air-conditioning for both drivers and passengers, along with better visibility for drivers.

Photo shows a single railway carriage sandwiched between two simplex shunter locomotives within a railway yard.

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ACETrainsUK @acetrains.bsky.social · 29/03/2026

The Rylstone Quarry branch has to be one of the most scenic freight railways in the UK, traversing the picturesque Yorkshire Dales. At 9 miles long, it was the longest freight line I hadn't travelled over to date. #yorkshire #scenery

Photo shows a hilly landscape with a large village in the foreground. There is a green field in front of the village. The village is a mix of different styles of cottages. The sky is blue with some clouds.

Photo shows a hilly landscape, with small copses of trees scattered around. There is a large field in the foreground with cows grazing. The sky is cloudy but the foreground is lit by sunshine.

Photo shows a hilly landscape with a flat valley in the foreground. There are trees scattered around the scene and some farm buildings in the middle distance. The hills in the distance have rock crags at their summits. The sky is mostly blue with some broken clouds.

Photo shows a zoomed in shot of a hilly landscape. The evening sunshine is streaming through gaps in the clouds to create an effect of golden rays. There is a small woodland to the left.

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ACETrainsUK @acetrains.bsky.social · 28/03/2026

Keighley, where we have a chance to stretch our legs before the Rylstone mini-tour. Class 14 D9520 (D957) makes an appearance on the KWVR service, contrasting nicely with our more modern locomotives.

Photo shows a Class 57 diesel locomotive stood at Keighley station. There is a tree and turntable in the foreground. A selection of freight wagons flank the frame of the locomotive. The weather is sunny with shadows cast by the tree.

Photo shows two diesel locomotives side by side at Keighley station. In the foreground is a Class 14 diesel locomotive, numbered D957, whilst in the background is Class 69, numbered 69006. There is an ornate footbridge stretching over the top of the locomotives. The weather is sunny, though the bridge casts a shadow over the background locomotive.

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ACETrainsUK @acetrains.bsky.social · 28/03/2026

Another weekend, another railtour! This time sees us on a long day trip from Kidderminster to Keighley and then onwards to Rylstone Quarry. 69006 and 57305 are the traction for today, with assistance from RFSD 6w-6w 'Cracoe' booked at Rylstone itself.

Photo shows a Class 69 locomotive arriving at Kidderminster mainline station with a rake of Mark 2 carriages. The locomotive is painted in GBRf livery with a UK Railtours headboard attached to the front. There are a few people taking pictures on the left. A brick goods shed is seen in the background. The weather is sunny with early morning light.

Photo shows a Class 57 diesel locomotive at the rear of a rake of Mark 2 carriages. The locomotive is painted in GBRf plain blue with 57305 painted on the side. The carriage has Eastern Rail Services written on the side. There is a car park and a heritage railway station in the background. The weather is sunny with early morning light.

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ACETrainsUK @acetrains.bsky.social · 14/03/2026

At first, this might just be a random picture of a Class 196... However, this is heading from platform 1 at Sandwell and Dudley, where Class 196s don't usually call, to Shrewsbury, navigating a rare crossover to the north of the station to regain the correct running line.

Photo shows a Class 196 diesel train stood at Sandwell and Dudley station platform 1. The display screen says Shrewsbury. There is another empty platform and track to the left. The weather is sunny with blue skies.

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ACETrainsUK @acetrains.bsky.social · 11/03/2026

⚠️ Opening dates for 5 new stations in the West Midlands: Thursday 19th March - Willenhall & Darlaston Tuesday 7th April - Moseley Village, Kings Heath and Pineapple Road

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ACETrainsUK @acetrains.bsky.social · 11/03/2026

A Chiltern Explorer eases into Stourbridge Depot after a training run from Bicester at lunchtime.

Photo shows a Chiltern Explorer train, comprising of a set of 5 Mark five carriages with a Class 68 diesel locomotive on the rear. The train is crossing from the right hand track to the left hand track in the distance. There is a large station canopy on both platforms. The weather is sunny with some broken clouds.

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ACETrainsUK @acetrains.bsky.social · 08/03/2026

A flurry of station ticking before my booked train home from London this morning Kensal Rise ✅️ Brondesbury ✅️ Finchley Road & Frognal ✅️ Hampstead Heath ✅️ Kentish Town West ✅️ Crouch Hill ✅️ Upper Holloway ✅️ Archway ✅️ Tufnell Park ✅️

Photo shows a Bakerloo line train arriving at Paddington station. There is a platform with no people on it to the left and a curved roof.

Photo shows a London Overground Class 710 electric train arriving at Hampstead Heath station. There are several people waiting on the platform to the right. There is another platforn with a station canopy to the left. A tall brick house stands at the top of a hill above the station.

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ACETrainsUK @acetrains.bsky.social · 07/03/2026

Some photos from a productive jaunt around the Tube and Rail network in London, ticking off no fewer than 24 new stations. 📸 St John's Wood Castle Bar Park Ruislip Perivale

Black and white photo of a tube train departing St John's Wood Station. The station is underground with a curved ceiling. There are two people walking along the platform. There is a station roundel with the words St John's Wood on it.

Zoomed photo looking along a long straight section of railway. There are two tracks. A GWR Class 165 diesel train is heading into the distance on the left hand track. There is a yellow signal in the mid distance and a red signal in the far distance. The railway is lined with trees on both sides. Tall tower blocks rise in the distance at the end of the straight track.

Photo shows a signal box at Ruislip tube station. The signal box is a red and white colour and has glass on both sides. There are two tracks to the left, which curves away with an S shape. A tube train is seen heading away from the station.

Photo shows a Central line tube train approaching Perivale station. The train is exiting a long straight section of railway track. There is a tower block to the right in the foreground. There is a skyscraper in the distance, partially obscured by cloud at the top.

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ACETrainsUK @acetrains.bsky.social · 07/03/2026

A brief moment of busyness at Harrow & Wealdstone station this morning.

Black and white photo of three trains at Harrow and Wealdstone station. On the left is a Bakerloo line train stood in the middle siding. In the middle is an Avanti West Coast Pendolino and on the right is a LNWR Class 730 electric train. There are overhead wire gantries across the scene.

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ACETrainsUK @acetrains.bsky.social · 28/02/2026

First time sampling the "Chiltern Explorer", albeit for a short trip. Definitely a step-up from Mark 3s in noise levels and ambience, and seats are better than IETs/Azumas in my opinion. However, it certainly rides on the rougher side over points! Overall, a nice upgrade, but not everyone will agree

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ACETrainsUK @acetrains.bsky.social · 15/02/2026

Another reason for yesterday's outing was to tick off more stations, with 14 in total being ticked off: Birkdale ✅️ Meols Cop ✅️ Ince ✅️ Hindley ✅️ Westhoughton ✅️ Salford Central ✅️ Urmston ✅️ Wavertree ✅️ Broad Green ✅️ Roby ✅️ Eccleston Park ✅️ Thatto Heath ✅️ St Helens C. ✅️ Rainhill ✅️ Photo highlights:

Photo shows Birkdale station facing towards Southport. The station comprises of two platforms with ornate glass canopies above each platform. There is a ticket office on the right hand platform. A signal showing a green light is on the left. There is a signal box and a level crossing in the distance. The weather is sunny with blue skies.

Photo shows Meols Cop station facing towards Southport. The station comprises of a single island platform with a track either side. The plaform has a wide area of grass with shrubs and a waiting shelter on it. There are lamp posts along the middle of the platform. A road bridge crosses over the tracks in the distance. The weather is sunny with blue skies.

Photo shows Roby station facing towards Liverpool. The station comprises of four tracks, served by a central island platform and two outer platforms. There is a ticket office and ornate canopy on the left hand platform. There are basic waiting shelters on the central and right platforms. There are overhead wires above all tracks. The sky is overcast.

Photo shows Eccleston Park station facing towards Wigan. The station comprises of two tracks and two platforms. There is an old wooden ticket office and waiting room on the opposite platform, along with an old brick building. There is a puddle on the left hand platform. A road bridge crosses over the tracks in the distance. The weather is overcast and light is fading, with station lights illuminating the scene.

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ACETrainsUK @acetrains.bsky.social · 14/02/2026

Manchester Oxford Road platform 1 ✅️ It's a full house at Manchester Oxford Road, with three examples of Northern's extensive fleet seen. Engineering work at Piccadilly means that there is an unusual opportunity to score a couple of crossovers and the rarely-used platform 1 at Oxford Road.

Photo shows three Northern trains side by side at Manchester Oxford Road. On the left is a Class 769 bi-mode unit. In the middle is a Class 323 electric unit and on the right is a Class 331 electric unit. There is a platform separating the left and middle units. There is a footbridge spanning the two right hand trains. The area is built up with tall buildings in the background. The sun is shining.

Photo shows the front of a Northern Class 331 electric unit at Manchester Oxford Road. There is a red signal immediately in front of the train. There is a sign saying 6 car stop on a post. There are overhead electric wires above the train. There are tall glass towers in the distance. The sun is shining, with a few clouds scattered.

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ACETrainsUK @acetrains.bsky.social · 14/02/2026

An oxymoron in a picture... However, credit where credit is due, it was the cleanest Class 150 I've ever seen!

Photo shows a Northern Class 150 diesel train departing Southport station. The train is painted in Northern blue and white livery with a yellow front. There is an empty track and platform to the left and a glass roof overhead. The sun is streaming through the columns. There is a billboard to the right, which shows a Tesco advert that says "only the finest", hence the oxymoron as the Class 150 can be an unpopular train.

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