iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Daniel Puddicombe @danielonrails.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

The full story on the 'Bedbug Express(es)', which have also at peak times is here: www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/10...

telegraph.co.uk

Daniel Puddicombe @danielonrails.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

New by me for the Telegraph: Bedbugs have been spotted infesting Southeastern services between East Sussex and London over the last 10 or so days. A number of trains have had carriages locked out of use, some cancellations and quite a few short-formations this week.

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Daniel Puddicombe @danielonrails.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

@alcs.co.uk What a delightful surprise email to receive. Thank you for everything you do. I love the magic money tree.

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Daniel Puddicombe @danielonrails.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Look at the Elizabeth Line as a recent example: state-owned, then a sale-and-leaseback deal to free up cash for TfL.

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Daniel Puddicombe @danielonrails.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

I can't see GBR taking on ROSCO duties any time soon. Would the government really want billions of pounds worth of trains on its books? And if it was that serious, why is TPE's new fleet - announced on 10 Sept this year - financed by Rock Rail?

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Reposted by Daniel Puddicombe

👻 Jack Djinn Wail 🧞 @jacktindale.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

There’s the 9/11 bit on The Day Today DVD where Chris Morris goes “coming up next, what is a hijacked airliner and HOW DOES IT CRASH?!” that lives rent free in my head when I see headlines like this.

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Daniel Puddicombe @danielonrails.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Back in February, I spent a night on the world's fastest sleeper train: G897 covers the 2,500km between Beijing and Hong in just over 10 hours. I've written about the experience for The Times: www.thetimes.com/travel/desti... @seatsixtyone.bsky.social

thetimes.com

My night on the fastest sleeper train in the world

Ten hours, 220mph and microwaved sweet and sour chicken – what it’s like in a berth on a night service from Beijing to Hong Kong

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Daniel Puddicombe @danielonrails.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

This documentary by UP going behind the scenes of 'Big Boy' No.4014's historic coast to coast tour is well worth a watch. Fascinating to hear from the people that made it possible with previously unseen footage. Still have to pinch myself I had a cab ride... www.youtube.com/watch?v=szQ3...

youtube.com

Big Boy No. 4014: A Coast-to-Coast Journey

YouTube video by Union Pacific

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Daniel Puddicombe @danielonrails.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

I should say the purpose for my Norwegian sojourn was to travel behind Caroline. At 165 years old, she is the oldest main line certified steam locomotive in the world. The youngest vehicle in the set dates from 1890…

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Daniel Puddicombe @danielonrails.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

I was in Norway over the weekend and for reasons unknown trains display how many metres above sea level stations are?

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Daniel Puddicombe @danielonrails.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

It occurred to me the journey I did yesterday could only be possible in China. I was in Wuhan but I’d booked onto a tourist train that left Beijing, 760 miles away, at 1pm. G340 took me to the capital in 3h55m, a metro transfer later and I had plenty of time to board. High speed rail rocks.

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Daniel Puddicombe @danielonrails.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

Back in the arena for the conclusion of the final. Much busier tonight - should be a cracking finish. #WuhanOpen

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Daniel Puddicombe @danielonrails.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

Also on Discovery+ like other tournaments. Sorry, I assumed you had one / both as I've seen your posts about non triple crown events!

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Daniel Puddicombe @danielonrails.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

Enjoyed that first session. Nicely poised going into the conclusion tonight. Was half-expecting Zhao to run away after the first couple of frames but glad we have a match on our hands. #WuhanOpen

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Daniel Puddicombe @danielonrails.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

Two World finals ✅ 10 UK Championship finals ✅ 10 Masters finals ✅ Snooker in Germany ✅ Snooker in Hong Kong ✅ Ticking off the final thing on my snooker ‘to-do’ list: seeing a match in China: the all-Chinese #WuhanOpen final. 🇨🇳

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Daniel Puddicombe @danielonrails.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

I realised quite how special Hungarian steam is when the last of the evening’s sun was glinting off the loco as we meandered our way into Budapest. So when state-run railways do go the extra mile it should be celebrated. What a wonderful three days with 424.247.

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Daniel Puddicombe @danielonrails.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

State-run railways have no obligation whatsoever to run 100+ year old wooden bodied carriages on the main line or a 71 year old steam locomotive. Let alone charging next to nothing for a three-day tour.

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Daniel Puddicombe @danielonrails.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

For tedious logistical reasons I had to change an Amtrak ticket at the station. To do that I had to present my passport to prove I am me and the agent said contactless isn’t used at all. First time in years I’ve actually used my card rather than Apple Pay.

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Daniel Puddicombe @danielonrails.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

Hungary has the world’s best railway jingle and I will not be taking questions at this time.

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Daniel Puddicombe @danielonrails.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

That’s 🇭🇺 added to the list of countries I’ve had a footplate ride on the main line. Always a fascinating experience and something I’ll never take for granted.

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Daniel Puddicombe @danielonrails.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

Day three with 424.247. Back to Budapest the long way around. Another day of new track, too.

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Daniel Puddicombe @danielonrails.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

Arrival into Nyíregyháza. It’s baking hot today - 35 degrees and barely any wind.

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Daniel Puddicombe @danielonrails.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

424.247 is all set for an afternoon jolly to Nyíregyháza…

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Daniel Puddicombe @danielonrails.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

Today’s thought: why aren’t carnival floats electric? I ask this having spent the morning at the Debrecen Flower Carnival which was bonkers, however the constant thrum and smoke from EU2 diesel engines became tiresome. @sniffpetrol.com, any thoughts?

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Daniel Puddicombe @danielonrails.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

Szolnok for water. From here onwards it’ll be new track for me…

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Daniel Puddicombe @danielonrails.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

A shame but I’m not shocked. Hopefully steam ops won’t be impacted.

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Daniel Puddicombe @danielonrails.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

A short stop in Nagykáta. Some spirited running so far, nudging into the mid-50s for quite a few miles.

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Daniel Puddicombe @danielonrails.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

Spending the next three days going here, there and everywhere around Hungary with oil-burning 424.247:

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Daniel Puddicombe @danielonrails.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

PLUG ALERT: Wrote about the Mardi Gras for adventure.com earlier this year: adventure.com/deep-south-r...

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Daniel Puddicombe @danielonrails.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Yep, ROSCOs are still involved and leasing stock to the ‘nationalised’ TOCs.

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Daniel Puddicombe @danielonrails.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Might have something on the data point - mind following me back so I can DM please?

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Daniel Puddicombe @danielonrails.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

Or indeed HS1 in the UK. Or GWR, LNER et al.

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Daniel Puddicombe @danielonrails.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

The @diningcar.at menu is very reasonably priced indeed and the food offering - like the rest of the train - aims to replicate menus from the 1970s…

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Daniel Puddicombe @danielonrails.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

HSB is a tourist operation (and marry gauge) so doesn’t count!

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Daniel Puddicombe @danielonrails.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

Travelling on PKP’s “Nieśpieszny” (Unhurried) train today from Zakopane to Warsaw. It is comprised of wonderfully restored 1970s coaches and an electric loco in period-correct liveries.

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Daniel Puddicombe @danielonrails.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

Quite fun to go from the most photographed steam locomotive in the world as it crosses America to a locomotive that is an everyday sight in Poland in the space of four days…

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Daniel Puddicombe @danielonrails.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

Pt47-65 arrived spot on time in Poznan. This not the first time I’ve done this by any means but it is still remarkable there’s real main line steam running in 2026. I was, of course, the only enthusiast onboard.

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Daniel Puddicombe @danielonrails.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

The last bastion of real main line steam in the world is still running six days a week in 2026. Pt47-65 is hauling the 1046 Wolsztyn to Poznan all-shacks stopper this morning.

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Daniel Puddicombe @danielonrails.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

I’m in the US at the moment. Kansas City’s streetcar is entirely free to use, has been extended twice and another is on the cards. Build it and they will come.

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Daniel Puddicombe @danielonrails.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

I’m a big fan of Kansas City’s streetcar network as it is (a) entirely free to use and (b) has good aircon.

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Daniel Puddicombe @danielonrails.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

Also, top marks to the Amtrak staff flagging 4014 to passengers onboard. The first of a few sightings today…

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Daniel Puddicombe @danielonrails.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

A new Amtrak division for me toddy, as I’m travelling on Train 311, the Missouri River Runner from St Louis. First time sampling the new Siemens Venture stock. Train 22, the on time(!) Texas Eagle to Chicago is on the right in the first photo.

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Daniel Puddicombe @danielonrails.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

Also visited the National Museum of Transportation on Friday, mostly to see No.4006. It only hit me this morning how many the museum’s exhibits were built at Schenectady Locomotive Works (including all 25 Big Boys). What a crying shame the site is now a casino.

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Daniel Puddicombe @danielonrails.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

Anyway, I was reunited with an old friend in St Louis earlier today…

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