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Justin on eurostar @eurostarjustin.bsky.social · 48m

An absolute gem from BBC Archive. Features Malcolm Southgate who was later Deputy MD of European Passenger Services (The division of BR set up to run the UK part of eurostar). Remember him wandering around Waterloo International keeping an eye on things and helping out. youtu.be/YmRqNNyhIeo?...

youtu.be

1975: Time to Scrap British Rail? | The Money Programme: Beware of Trains | BBC Archive

YouTube video by BBC Archive

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Justin on eurostar @eurostarjustin.bsky.social · 7h

Country number 2 for 9140 from London to Amsterdam. We're working it as far as Brussels where our Dutch colleagues will take over. #EuropeOnRails

View of the empty rear cab of an e320 train.

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Justin on eurostar @eurostarjustin.bsky.social · 10/10/2026

Saturday standby shift (05:23 start). There are fewer trains to and from Paris this weekend due to planned engineering work just outside Gare du Nord. www.eurostar.com/uk-en/travel...

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Justin on eurostar @eurostarjustin.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

Leipzig on this day in 1989. 2 days after the 40th anniversary of the GDR, a massive demonstration that hastened the end of the communist dictatorship and help bring about the fall of the Berlin Wall a month later. www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-e...

bbc.co.uk

East Germany 1989 - the march that KO'd communism

A giant anti-communist protest in Leipzig in October 1989 doomed the East German state.

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Brian Groom @groomb.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

The Early Shift, Belfast, painting by Cupar Pilson, Irish artist.

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German at Portsmouth @germanatportsmouth.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

9 October 1952: the neon lights of East Berlin at night - Café Praha, Französische Straße (via Bundesarchiv)

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Ian Dinmore @tarkaman.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

Last of the oil tail lamps -York station Sept 1990

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Justin on eurostar @eurostarjustin.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

It would appear that it's Feet On Seats (Shoes) Friday. Had to have a word with 3 people on the 07:04 and we weren't even 10 minutes into the journey.

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Nami ΔΘ @steelcitydoggo.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

#HST50, and what better way to celebrate it than a run across the stunning Hope Valley Line. #brel43025 "Exeter" and #brel43159 open back up after slowing for the signal near Hathersage 🖤❤️🤍 You may need to click the photos to see the full image! #SteelCityDoggoPhotography

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Justin on eurostar @eurostarjustin.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

On this day 50 years ago, the revolutionary British Rail Inter-City 125 entered service. Fantastic to see a set restored into 1980s livery arrive at Manchester Piccadilly this afternoon. #TheJourneyShrinker

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Justin on eurostar @eurostarjustin.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Good morning from Manchester! Here to see our son run the half marathon. Go Nate! 🏃‍♂️

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Joe Brown @joebrownlondon.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

#OnThisDay 50 years ago BR introduced their revolutionary InterCity 125 on regular services between London Paddington and Bristol/South Wales. Video clip from the BBC Archive from a couple of weeks before the launch previewing the new trains, full video: buff.ly/QGnH3Et

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Justin on eurostar @eurostarjustin.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

"In 2024, 48% of England’s population did not fly at all. But 5% of the population took five or more flights abroad, and these account for 33% of all journeys. Increasing demand has been almost entirely driven by frequent flyers..." www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

theguardian.com

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Justin on eurostar @eurostarjustin.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Happy Birthday to St Pancras station! Opened on this day in 1868. #architecture

Black and white nighttime image of the platforms and roof

Midland Mainline train under the clock before the station closed for rebuilding.

A class 45 diesel on a special to mark the end of domestic services from what are now the international platforms.

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Justin on eurostar @eurostarjustin.bsky.social · 22/10/2024

How about a thread about a rather special train, the TMST (Trans Manche Super Train)? This was the project name for the high-speed train designed to link London, Paris and Brussels via the Channel Tunnel when it opened in 1994.

A eurostar class 373 train in original livery at St Pancras in London.

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Justin on eurostar @eurostarjustin.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Day return to Brussels. An unplanned one from standby.

The boarding steps of a eurostar class 373 train in evening sunlight withba 1993 builder's plate. Reads: GEC Alsthom Metro Cammell Birmingham

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Boak & Bailey (Jess & Ray) @boakandbailey.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

BLOG POST: We rather took to Le Garde Fou in Strasbourg with it's greebling, dark corners, wonky, worn-in furniture and, crucially, 14 beers on tap. boakandbailey.com/2026/10/in-s...

boakandbailey.com

In Strasbourg skip the microbreweries and go to the pub

On our recent trip to Strasbourg we found a pub we liked so much we visited twice.

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Justin on eurostar @eurostarjustin.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

It would appear that we can finally talk about rejoining the Single Market, Customs Union, and maybe even the EU... Burnham says UK ‘can’t afford another decade of post-Brexit drift’ as he leaves door open to rejoining the EU – UK politics live www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...

static.klipy.com

Austin Powers Stuck in a Tight Spot

ALT: Austin Powers Stuck in a Tight Spot

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Justin on eurostar @eurostarjustin.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Earlier on today, I felt hope again. Then I came across this fake Citroën van. Have the hipsters finally run out of originals from which to sell burgers?

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Justin on eurostar @eurostarjustin.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Is there a word to describe the sadness of leaving the coast and not knowing when you'll next be back by the sea? There should be.

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Justin on eurostar @eurostarjustin.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Timeline cleanser: Just under a minute of a motor boat on the River Alde in Suffolk.

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Jon Henley @jonhenley.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Well how very French. In the flat (now a museum) of 19th century philosopher Auguste Comte, father of positivism, a voucher issued by a Paris theatre to disappointed ticket holders on February 24th 1848 after the evening's performance was "cancelled due to revolution"

voucher issued to disappointed ticket holders by a Paris theatre in Feb 1848 after the evening's performance was "cancelled due to revolution"

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Justin on eurostar @eurostarjustin.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

The 12th European Tram Driver Championship is currently taking place in Warsaw. Think It's A Knockout/Jeux Sans Frontières but on rails... 🚊 🎳 www.youtube.com/live/R1PeT9Z...

youtube.com

12th European TramDriver Championship in Warsaw

YouTube video by TRAM-EM

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Justin on eurostar @eurostarjustin.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Just under 2 weeks off begin for me this evening. Time to ditch the city for the sea...

Pedestrians crossing Bishopsgate im Londom at dusk

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Justin on eurostar @eurostarjustin.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

This looks like an interesting exhibition at Trainworld in Brussels: Fashion and Trains. trainworld.be/en/expo/fash... Even features the current eurostar uniform apparently...

trainworld.be

Fashion & Trains - TrainWorld

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Justin on eurostar @eurostarjustin.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Today's Great Rail Journey: Cambridge to Saxmundham (for Aldeburgh) via Paris. It hasn't started well. 08:42 cancelled and now 08:51 still hasn't left at 09:12... #TrainLife

A Thameslink train and Cambridge station sign

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Justin on eurostar @eurostarjustin.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Shift 4/5: 05:01 cover (standby). Not going anywhere so far...

The "country" ie non-buffer end of platforms 7/8 at St Pancras

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Campaign for Better Transport @bettertransport.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Rather than expanding Heathrow, the Government should focus on cleaner alternatives to flying by improving rail links to Europe. A frequent flyer levy and ending aviation's tax privileges would also ensure those who fly most and pollute most contribute most to decarbonisation.

Aeroplane taking off from Heathrow Airport at sunset with a quote about Heathrow's negative climate impact from the Climate Change Committee.

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Brian Groom @groomb.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Liverpool to Manchester railway, world's first inter-city passenger service, opened on this day 1830. Tragedy struck when politician William Huskisson stepped on to the parallel track and was hit by a locomotive. Taken to nearest place on the line, Eccles, died later that day.

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Justin on eurostar @eurostarjustin.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Good morning from the first eurostar train from the mainland to the island, the 07:06 from Paris to London #TrainsNotPlanes

Pink clouds before sunrise over a railway line and the sky reflected in buildings.

A wind turbine and a strip of mist just above the ground at sunrise.

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Met Office - weather and climate @metoffice.gov.uk · 11/09/2026

Happy #CloudAppreciationDay! ☁️✨ Today is the perfect excuse to look up and admire the skies above us. From fluffy fair-weather cumulus clouds to towering, dramatic cumulonimbus, they do more than shape our weather. They spark curiosity, inspire creativity, and connect us to the natural world.

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Justin on eurostar @eurostarjustin.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Time to head home from King's Cross at the end of another week on the iron road.

King's Cross station platforms and roof at night

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Justin on eurostar @eurostarjustin.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

The inaugural Brussels to Milan sleeper runs today (departs 19:06). I'm looking forward to announcing "Change here for Milano" as we arrive in Brussels on 9140 at 18:05. I'd take the earlier eurostar at 13:01 like @seatsixtyone.bsky.social and allow a sensible buffer and time for an early dinner...

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The Man in Seat 61 @seatsixtyone.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

BREAKING: Today, Eurail (established 1959) & Interrail (established 1972) merge into a single European railpass range for EVERYONE regardless of nationality or country of residence, called INTERRAIL. Read why I think this is excellent news here: www.seat61.com/news.htm

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Flight Free UK @flightfreeuk.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

📢Make trains the easier choice - not the uphill struggle! London to Coimbra by rail proves it: international rail works, connects us AND cuts emissions - but the barriers are often still too real. We need a proper UK International Rail Strategy so low carbon travel is the default choice.

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Justin on eurostar @eurostarjustin.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

It shouldn't need saying but it apparently does: The RNLI do an amazing job saving lives at sea whatever the circumstances. rnli.org/support-us/g...

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Justin on eurostar @eurostarjustin.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Train to work delayed by climate change: The line north of Cambridge through the Fens to King's Lynn has a speed restriction as dry weather is affecting the ground under the track. A prime example of the need for climate-resilient infrastructure which should include new lines... #ClimateAction

Information poster explaining the delays caused by dry weather

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Natalie Bennett @nataliegreenpeer.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

How do you get from Barcelona to London comfortably in a day? By train of course See @seatsixtyone.bsky.social for details

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Justin on eurostar @eurostarjustin.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

"Someone's sitting there!" My seat for the 20 minutes under the sea. On a eurostar train, both Train Managers have to sit in the vestibule of the extreme coaches for the duration of the Channel Tunnel transit. It means that we are in position should an evacuation be necessary.

A tip-up seat and notice asking to vacate if requested.

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Justin on eurostar @eurostarjustin.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

Went to see De Gaulle: Resistance at the cinema yesterday and would thoroughly recommend it. Can't wait for part two to be released in the UK. Back in 2010, a eurostar train was decorated with images of Resistance figures to mark the 70th anniversary of his famous 18th June broadcast from London.

Charles de Gaulle – Leader of Free France and former President of France.
Félix Éboué – Colonial administrator and early supporter of Free France in French Equatorial Africa (far left background).
Berty Albrecht (or Geneviève de Gaulle-Anthonioz) – Key female figure in the Resistance.
Jean Moulin – High-ranking French civil servant and iconic Resistance leader (center, wearing his signature hat and scarf).

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Justin on eurostar @eurostarjustin.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Blackpool Sud illuminations last night at dusk.

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Justin on eurostar @eurostarjustin.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

First day of September: Time to dig out the hat for autumn.

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Justin on eurostar @eurostarjustin.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

Sunday standby shift: Currently reading an article about railway uniforms in the latest edition of Rail magazine. Interesting to reflect on how our uniform has changed in the three decades of operation.

A magazine article with an image of a British Rail cap

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