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Andy Bowes-Roden @andyroden.bsky.social · 11/03/2026

Rail resilience in the South West is a big issue and this morning I chatted to Seb about it in the birthplace of the modern railway in Hayle. First story in; this is a short part of a longer interview. Enjoy! www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...

bbc.co.uk

Spotlight - Lunchtime News: 11/03/2026

The latest news, sport, weather and features from the South West of England.

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Andy Bowes-Roden @andyroden.bsky.social · 28/02/2026

To cheer everyone up, have some daffodils - King George V Memorial Walk in Hayle.

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Andy Bowes-Roden @andyroden.bsky.social · 17/02/2026

It’s half term so it’s entertaining now not so young person. Painting pottery in Hayle this afternoon so I chose Editorial Assistant Woof as the subject. This is the first time I’ve painted anyone and I’m more than quietly pleased at the result.

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Andy Bowes-Roden @andyroden.bsky.social · 17/02/2026

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Andy Bowes-Roden @andyroden.bsky.social · 16/02/2026

A quick walk with Editorial Assistant Woof at a very, very windy lunchtime and where did she take me? Think she wanted to see a Sprinter, bless her. Not amazing pics but worth recording.

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Andy Bowes-Roden @andyroden.bsky.social · 15/02/2026

And here’s one from a trip with Mrs B-R and editorial assistant woof yesterday. Kynance Cove in Cornwall. Ansum!

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Andy Bowes-Roden @andyroden.bsky.social · 15/02/2026

Daughter got the train down to #Hayle today, and my goodness she chose well. Comfiest train in the west!

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Andy Bowes-Roden @andyroden.bsky.social · 25/01/2026

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... - the SW economy could be looking at a £27m/day hit to its economy with the loss of the coastal railway. It’s time to revisit the TORS proposals to reopen the #NorthernRoute from plymouth to Exeter via Tavistock - generated by genuine #railway experts.

bbc.co.uk

Storm Ingrid damage forces closure of Devon railway line

The Dawlish railway line is closed

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Andy Bowes-Roden @andyroden.bsky.social · 19/01/2026

A nature vid from the weekend in #Gwithian #Cornwall. I’m told this is a kestrel. Bird recognition not a strong point. Enjoy !

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Andy Bowes-Roden @andyroden.bsky.social · 12/01/2026

I’ve subbed Roger Ford’s latest Informed Sources for the next issue of @modernrailways.keypublishing.com and he’s on fire. If you’ve an interest in railways, you’re really not going to miss the February issue!

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Andy Bowes-Roden @andyroden.bsky.social · 11/01/2026

Editorial Assistant Woof is opting for comfort tonight. If she does this tomorrow, she’s doing the writing and subbing.

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Andy Bowes-Roden @andyroden.bsky.social · 11/01/2026

Editorial Assistant Woof and I are making a conscious decision to post much more on here than the other place. So expect trains, Cornwall and dog treats posts from now on.

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Andy Bowes-Roden @andyroden.bsky.social · 11/01/2026

#Stormgoretti was the worst I’ve known in 21 years in #Cornwall. Huge thanks to the power, water, telecoms, highways and many other teams for working so bloody hard to get things back to normal. A hell of an achievement given the damage caused. We’re very grateful.

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Andy Bowes-Roden @andyroden.bsky.social · 01/12/2025

This whole Avanti West Coast/ORR surreality exposes why having a single body responsible for the timetable is so important. If the train’s a big money maker and really important, it goes first on the graph and everything else works around it. It is utterly bonkers.

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Andy Bowes-Roden @andyroden.bsky.social · 01/12/2025

Put a ham in the oven to roast at lunchtime. Editorial Assistant Woof is refusing to leave a radius of more than two metres from the cooker. Clever woof!

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Reposted by Andy Bowes-Roden

Modern Railways @modernrailways.keypublishing.com · 17/09/2025

In her latest The Human Factor column, Tracey Barber highlights prejudice on the railway - and says power MUST be taken away from those who preach it. www.modernrailways.com/article/huma...

modernrailways.com

The Human Factor: We must take power away from the

In her latest column looking at the human side of the railway, TRACEY BARBER says racism, homophobia and other prejudice must be challenged - and eliminated.

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Andy Bowes-Roden @andyroden.bsky.social · 01/08/2025

#SaveOurRailway #Dawlish PETITION NOW LIVE! Our petition calling on the Government to reinstate the Phase 5 cliff works of the South West Rail Resilience Programme is now live here: chng.it/MnChtg2zfG Please sign the petition and share the link to help us make the strongest case possible.

chng.it

This campaign needs you now

Unpause Phase 5 of South West Rail Resilience Programme

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Andy Bowes-Roden @andyroden.bsky.social · 13/07/2025

20 years after Save Our Sleeper, it’s time for the South West to dust off its campaigning hat and present an irresistible case for the government to rethink its decision to pause the resilience works at #Dawlish. I’ll be setting up a petition before work tomorrow, but in the meantime…

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Andy Bowes-Roden @andyroden.bsky.social · 28/04/2025

Just me and eldest in the house tonight. Eldest will likely go upstairs after din meaning I can watch old episodes of top gear guilt free with curry and chips.

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Andy Bowes-Roden @andyroden.bsky.social · 28/04/2025

A few from this morning’s walk with Assistant Woof. Looks like it’s going to be gorgeous!

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Andy Bowes-Roden @andyroden.bsky.social · 23/04/2025

I was watching Heidi Alexander make her debut appearance at #transportcommittee today. Some interesting answers - but am I alone in perceiving a lukewarm attitude to freight in her responses? Was noticeable how quickly she shifted them to passengers. Freight sector is concerned about GBR.

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Andy Bowes-Roden @andyroden.bsky.social · 23/04/2025

Dull old morning in Kernow today walking Editorial Assistant Woof. Atmospheric though…

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Andy Bowes-Roden @andyroden.bsky.social · 22/04/2025

I don’t, funnily enough, get much chance to write about steam for MR, but once in a while it happens. Ignore the doom mongers: #ETCS is not a death knell for main line steam.

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Modern Railways @modernrailways.keypublishing.com · 03/04/2025

Arriva goes tri-mode for Grand Central with £300m order to replace Class 180s and 221s - www.modernrailways.com/article/arri...

modernrailways.com

Arriva orders battery ‘80x’ fleet for Grand Central

Hitachi scoops first UK inter-city battery train order

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Andy Bowes-Roden @andyroden.bsky.social · 03/04/2025

A fascinating order from Arriva here - and telling that Angel is funding a battery train fleet. The battery revolution is gathering pace.

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Andy Bowes-Roden @andyroden.bsky.social · 25/01/2025

Look what turned up while waiting for Mrs B-R at the station - a @gwr.com castle set heading east. Enjoy them while you can folks!

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Reposted by Andy Bowes-Roden

Modern Railways @modernrailways.keypublishing.com · 23/01/2025

The February issue of Modern Railways is out now! Roger Ford reveals how much YOUR train costs to run, @Clinnick1 examines Southeastern’s fleet replacement plans and @andyroden.bsky.social looks at how satellites could transform signalling. All of this, plus much more at www.modernrailways.com

The cover of the February issue of Modern Railways magazine.

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Andy Bowes-Roden @andyroden.bsky.social · 23/01/2025

The latest issue of @modernrailways.keypublishing.com is out now - and it’s a corker! @Clinnick1 reveals Southeastern’s fleet replacement plans, Roger Ford reveals how much your train costs to run, and I reveal a radical way of signalling rural lines. All revealed at your local newsagent now!

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Andy Bowes-Roden @andyroden.bsky.social · 21/01/2025

FirstGroup’s open access calls are interesting but also there’s an inevitable element of ‘Well, they would say that, wouldn’t they?’. There are underserved markets and if open access can serve them while paying the same access costs as incumbent operators and not abstract revenue, maybe…

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Andy Bowes-Roden @andyroden.bsky.social · 20/01/2025

Blimey, people don’t like these 20mph speed limits, do they? I’m sticking to them in my little town. Come summer, with the amount of folks who seem to think cars in Cornwall exist in a different reality where they’re not made of metal, it’ll give more time to stop.

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Andy Bowes-Roden @andyroden.bsky.social · 05/01/2025

Big shoutout to the guys at Western Power Distribution. Mains feed into the house was arcing outside at midnight rather spectacularly and beautifully. Called shortly after we discovered it, they sent a team out and all done by 0200. Brilliant stuff!

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Andy Bowes-Roden @andyroden.bsky.social · 03/01/2025

I’ve said for a long time that I believe the railway is at the start of a technological revolution more profound than anything since the introduction of interlocked signalling - and in the next @modernrailways.bsky.social I’ve written two features which really give weight to that view.

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Modern Railways @modernrailways.keypublishing.com · 03/01/2025

Greetings, we are now on BlueSky. Follow the team here for news updates, exclusive analysis and more. While you’re here, give @andyroden.bsky.social and @richardclinnick.bsky.social a follow too.

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Andy Bowes-Roden @andyroden.bsky.social · 03/01/2025

Modern Railways is now on Bluesky! Give us a follow at @modernrailways.bsky.social for the latest updates and news!

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Andy Bowes-Roden @andyroden.bsky.social · 31/12/2024

Farewell, 2024. For my family, you started with heartbreak and grief and continued to pile it on right until the very end. All of us can’t wait to say a heartfelt and guttural “Sod off”. I think it’ll be an early night and a book for me. 2024 doesn’t deserve staying up to bid goodbye to.

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Andy Bowes-Roden @andyroden.bsky.social · 18/12/2024

Has Scotland made the right call deferring rail decarbonisation by 10 years? Modern Railways’ analysis is here: www.modernrailways.com/article/scot...

modernrailways.com

Scottish rail decarbonisation - a good call?

Does Scotland's deferral of rail decarbonisation to 2045 make sense?

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Andy Bowes-Roden @andyroden.bsky.social · 07/12/2024

For all her gorgeous loopiness, Editorial Assistant Woof (peering over my shoulder in the profile pic) CAN be sensible. She decided she wanted to go out, poked her nose out of the door and then scuttled back to a blanket on the sofa.

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Saintesky @saintesky.bsky.social · 30/11/2024

Over the last 2 years, I was told several times on Twitter that automation was going to get rid of us Train Drivers by numerous Waynes & Dazzas who luv der country and are Patriots. In entirely unconnected news, here is the replacement for the old semaphore signal at Holyhead today. Another one.

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Andy Bowes-Roden @andyroden.bsky.social · 28/11/2024

Bit of a misjudgment from the transport secretary here. Pissing off a huge amount of the rail workforce - of all ages and genders - isn’t a good look. She needs and the railway depends on their enthusiasm and passion. Very, very poor show.

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Andy Bowes-Roden @andyroden.bsky.social · 27/11/2024

Gorgeous sky over Hayle this morning…

A warm pink sky looking south over Hayle, Cornwall, UK

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Andy Bowes-Roden @andyroden.bsky.social · 26/11/2024

A fascinating commentary from the i. Controversial for sure - but is also damning that there are more homes than households. Homes that could provide roofs over heads for the tens of thousands in temporary accommodation. Is this a partial way forward? apple.news/AD-25g8lzQN6...

apple.news

Ending the housing crisis means taxing pensioners who won’t downsize — The i paper

Too many family-sized homes are being lived in by older people who, bluntly, do not need them

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Andy Bowes-Roden @andyroden.bsky.social · 25/11/2024

Remember after 2016 when remain supporters were told to respect the will of the people and suck it up with the referendum result? Well, if you don’t like the government that’s what you have to do after a general election. It’s how it works.

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Andy Bowes-Roden @andyroden.bsky.social · 23/11/2024

I want snow. Is it too much to ask? I want to see what Editorial Assistant Woof makes of it. Given that she’s a rare hydrophobic spaniel, it would be fun to see!

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GWR @gwr.com · 22/11/2024

Hello Bluesky 👋 We are GWR! Welcome aboard. We aren't quite ready to offer customer support here yet, but please follow us for GWR news. We'd be delighted to have you!

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That Tall Bloke @thattallbloke.bsky.social · 22/11/2024

At 5am I was driving through a snow flurry singing Christmas carols to myself 🤔 🎵Driving through the snow In my Intercity train Singing as I go Early starts make me insane🎵

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Andy Bowes-Roden @andyroden.bsky.social · 22/11/2024

A slightly different angle seeing @gwruk.bsky.social Night Riviera sleeper nearing the end of its westbound journey this morning.

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