iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

🔥 Last chance to grab your advance discounted tickets for the Twyford Round Table Bonfire & Fireworks night! 🔥 Twyford’s biggest night of the year is almost here — Bonfire & Fireworks Night, Saturday 25th October! 🎆 👉 Get your tickets here: www.tickettailor.com/events/twyfo...

Hmmmm not sure about the headboard, but I really enjoyed 1219 pottering around Minehead Station shunting wagons over the gala weekend.

The trains were great (obviously), but the best thing about the weekend was catching up with great mates and sharing amazing experiences. Wonderful railway, lovely people!

Just recovering from an excellent weekend WSR Autumn Gala. It was amazing to get a driving turn on 813, the loco I passed my firing test on 19 years ago at the Cholsey & Wallingford. She has aged better than me and is in fine form after a recent overhaul.

George Thomas @downrelief.bsky.social · 06/10/2025

Unlikely to see the real 'Cookham Manor' in steam anytime soon, so this 5 inch gauge version will have to do for now. Very enjoyable visit to RSME at Prospect Park on Sunday afternoon.

040

George Thomas @downrelief.bsky.social · 01/10/2025

Another magical day on a 'Manor'!

031

George Thomas @downrelief.bsky.social · 30/09/2025

I'm a very lucky man. We attended a wonderful wedding at Crystal Palace on Saturday, which of course included a trip on the pedalos!

George Thomas @downrelief.bsky.social · 29/09/2025

Footage of a wonderful day driving 9351 on the West Somerset last week. Perfect conditions to bring my friend Matt along for the ride, who made this recording. #bestofficeintheworld

050

George Thomas @downrelief.bsky.social · 31/08/2025

Last day of BunkFest! So far the timetable has worked well for connections and robustness. Sunday was the hardest to write, as there is only an hourly GWR service. I've prioritised connections from London/Reading in the morning and visaversa from 4pm. Overall 2 more round trips this year.

030

George Thomas @downrelief.bsky.social · 29/08/2025

Doing my annual bar shift for BunkFest today at Wallingford Station from 3pm until late. Pop by for a chat, real ale, live music and perhaps a train ride!

Simon Nixon @nixonsimon.bsky.social · 28/08/2025

Reposted by George Thomas

The Tory refusal to be honest about the scale of their Brexit disaster and associated trade-offs has utterly discredited the party, perhaps permanently, radicalised the right and raised the spectre of a Faragist Trumpian tyranny. The country risks being trapped in a doom loop.

45112

Reposted by George Thomas

Simon Nixon @nixonsimon.bsky.social · 28/08/2025

Very succinct WSJ summary of the staggering migration shock that successive Tory governments inflicted on Britain as they tried to mitigate and hide the economic consequences of the Brexit disaster

14224134

George Thomas @downrelief.bsky.social · 27/08/2025

We're running 35 round trips this weekend to get you to and from Wallingford BunkFest. Unlimited travel all weekend on our 'Singing Trains' is just £18. Easy connections with GWR mainline services at Cholsey #letthetraintakethestrain

George Thomas @downrelief.bsky.social · 22/08/2025

Only one week to go until Wallingford Bunkfest! We're running more trains than ever 29th-31st August. Avoid the parking hassle and let the train take the strain! ✅ Beer 🍻 and music 🎶 on most trains ✅ 3 day rover just £18 ✅ Connections with GWR at Cholsey

131

George Thomas @downrelief.bsky.social · 20/08/2025

230001 leaving Reading at the start of her record breaking run last night. She ran just over 200 miles on battery power breaking the previous World record by over 60 miles! Great work by the dedicated team of GWR engineers that are developing the fast charge technology.

George Thomas @downrelief.bsky.social · 20/08/2025

Reading Festival all ready to go. The view from my office window this afternoon.

100

George Thomas @downrelief.bsky.social · 17/08/2025

Hard to believe it has been 10 years since my first solo WSR firing turn and a very memorable one it was too. 4160 on a fully loaded 8 coaches to Minehead for the Red Arrows. Enough time in the layover for fish and chips and a wonderful view of the airshow. Can't wait for my next turn on Thursday!

052

George Thomas @downrelief.bsky.social · 15/08/2025

Great to visit Didcot Railway Centre again this week. Particularly pleased to see the beautifully turned out 1450 and 4079, which was running on the demonstration line. Looking forward to returning when 1466 steams later this month!

072

George Thomas @downrelief.bsky.social · 07/08/2025

Quick trip on @chinnorrailway.bsky.social this afternoon to get reacquainted with an S160. Can't say they are my favourite locos, but the whistle is epic! The new independent line is a hugely impressive achievement - great to see the signalling at Princes Risborough all commissioned too.

0184

George Thomas @downrelief.bsky.social · 13/07/2025

I got to fire this famous old girl earlier this week. It was very hot, but a privilege to operate such famous historical machines on the WSR.

George Thomas @downrelief.bsky.social · 03/07/2025

We still have a few spaces available for our Hog Roast and Real Ale train this Saturday 5th July leaving at 6.30pm. Advanced booking is essential for this wonderful evening with great beer from Amwell Springs Brew Co. and food from Pig & a Half www.cholsey-wallingford-railway.com/events/hog-r...

cholsey-wallingford-railway.com

Hog Roast and Real Ale

George Thomas @downrelief.bsky.social · 23/06/2025

I've taken lots of railway pictures, but this is perhaps my favourite. Partly because they are my kids, but also because I remember being that child at the front of a DMU captivated by the view ahead! It is of course on the Cholsey & Wallingford Railway approaching 'Bunk Bridge' at Cholsey.

070

George Thomas @downrelief.bsky.social · 21/06/2025

If you're going to Wallingford Carnival today, then why not take the train and beat the road closures? Regular services from 0930 as part of our Railway 200 celebration with return fares just 200 pence!

031

George Thomas @downrelief.bsky.social · 19/06/2025

Great to welcome TV's Tim Dunn to the Cholsey and Wallingford today. A great first day of running for Railway 200. Another 16 round trips tomorrow starting at 0735!

291

George Thomas @downrelief.bsky.social · 19/06/2025

The 0955 to Cholsey waits underneath the Brunelian canopy at Wallingford. We're running roughly every hour until 2130 this evening. Just £2 return!

George Thomas @downrelief.bsky.social · 17/06/2025

Commuter trains return to the Wallingford branch for Railway 200! We're running a full service for the first time since 1959 this week and for just £2 return! Join us Thursday 19th - Sunday 22nd June. Up to 16 return trips a day connecting with GWR at Cholsey.

183

George Thomas @downrelief.bsky.social · 12/06/2025

An absolutely brilliant day driving and firing 9351 on the WSR. Drove the first round trip and fired the second. Plus I'm now in the pub - days out don't get much better! #besthobbyintheworld

030

George Thomas @downrelief.bsky.social · 03/06/2025

Wonderful afternoon driving Erlestoke to sunny Minehead and back. On our return some blue tin cans had arrived for this weekend's diesel gala.

George Thomas @downrelief.bsky.social · 03/06/2025

Book now for the Hog Roast and Real Ale Train at the Cholsey and Wallingford Railway on Saturday July 5th. Tickets cost £28, including Hog Roast with salad and coleslaw, but excluding drinks. www.cholsey-wallingford-railway.com/events/hog-r...

George Thomas @downrelief.bsky.social · 26/05/2025

One for the diary! We're running all day for Rail 200 June 19th-22nd. The 'Bubblecar' will be running all on all four days with a return costing just £2. Timed by yours truly to connect with GWR services.

185

George Thomas @downrelief.bsky.social · 11/05/2025

I never get tired of seeing A380s flying over my house. Beautiful birds!

George Thomas @downrelief.bsky.social · 09/05/2025

These two numpties deserve to be made an example of. What a mindless act -->> www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/ck... Two men guilty of felling world-famous Sycamore Gap tree

bbc.co.uk

Two men guilty of felling world-famous Sycamore Gap tree

Daniel Graham, 39, and Adam Carruthers, 32, both from Cumbria, are each convicted of two counts of criminal damage.

011

George Thomas @downrelief.bsky.social · 08/05/2025

Lovely run to sunny Minehead and back driving 7812 this morning. Lovely to have a working 'Manor' back in the fleet - they are really hard to beat!

George Thomas @downrelief.bsky.social · 07/05/2025

Arty shot from the cycle to work this morning from Sonning Bridge at 0530.

042

George Thomas @downrelief.bsky.social · 03/05/2025

Excellent news! The Lib Dem takeover of Oxfordshire is virtually complete. Remarkable considering how much of a Tory stronghold it was when I was growing up. www.bbc.com/news/article...

bbc.com

Lib Dems secure control of Oxfordshire County Council for first time

The Liberal Democrats have an outright majority on Oxfordshire County Council for the first time.

042

George Thomas @downrelief.bsky.social · 03/05/2025

What an incredible little loco. Had the best day driving this lovely 153 year old Lady. She's nicknamed 'Funchurch' for a reason. Thanks to the Bluebell for letting us borrow her.

160

George Thomas @downrelief.bsky.social · 02/05/2025

Love a gala morning at Minehead. Just going in for our first tea break after lighting up two locos. Happy days!

040

George Thomas @downrelief.bsky.social · 01/05/2025

What a gorgeous little thing! Thoroughly enjoyed my go at driving her from Williton and Washford to familiarize myself. Driving the shuttles on Saturday with her between Minehead and Blue Anchor 👌

2192

George Thomas @downrelief.bsky.social · 01/05/2025

Makes total sense, but I'm sure some will find a reason to object!

000

George Thomas @downrelief.bsky.social · 01/05/2025

Great Twyford Round Table AGM at Hennerton Golf Club last night. Welcome new member Sam and congratulations to our new chairman Riccardo! Great to vote through £21k to local good causes as well.

000

George Thomas @downrelief.bsky.social · 29/04/2025

Wonderful to get a tour of the work taking place on 1-3 Duke Street in Henley. The essential roof, chimney and window works will ensure this building can continue to serve the town for another 100 years. The rent this building earns funds the upkeep of our Almshouses.

000

George Thomas @downrelief.bsky.social · 29/04/2025

Yvette Cooper is very impressive whenever I hear her interviewed. She has a very tricky job and I'm sure she'd want to be making swifter progress on certain issues. Worth remembering the show of incompetent Home Secretaries we had under the Tories.

George Thomas @downrelief.bsky.social · 29/04/2025

Excellent news from Canada this morning! Always good to see Conservatives defeated.

000

George Thomas @downrelief.bsky.social · 28/04/2025

Only 4 sleeps to go until the West Somerset Steam Gala. My highlight of the heritage year - do say hello if you see me out and about. Get your tickets in advance to save £££! www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk/events/view/...

west-somerset-railway.co.uk

George Thomas @downrelief.bsky.social · 26/04/2025

Just a reminder that if you sign up to PayPal using this link, we can both get a £10 reward if you spend £5 within 30 days. py.pl/poC0z

py.pl

P2P Referral - PayPal UK

PayPal UK P2P Referral Terms and conditions

000

George Thomas @downrelief.bsky.social · 25/04/2025

We did this as a family of four as part of a trip to Florence with a break in Lyon for a couple of nights over Easter. I thoroughly recommend taking the train, although sadly it is nearly always more expensive than flying.