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Markonthemaps (Mark Ovenden)

@markonthemaps.bsky.social
6.8K followers 14K following 883 posts

🌈 Author, broadcaster and lecturer in design, cartography, typography and architecture around public transport. Partner of ND 🌈♾️ person. Pro-Transit 🚆 🚃 🚋 🚟🚌 and ‘in transit’ from X as @markovenden.

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Markonthemaps (Mark Ovenden) @markonthemaps.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Currently on a train still branded as the “Gatwick Express”. It no longer runs to Gatwick from Southampton, it now calls at every single station en route to Brighton. Yiu need to changetrains to go to the airport now. So: not Gatwick, and not an Express. Bravo to all for this. #UKRail
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Markonthemaps (Mark Ovenden) @markonthemaps.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
#Comedian, #contentcreator & #transport lover Christopher Beanland joins todays CATCHcast. www.vectisradio.com/on-air/prese... He's produced books on Lido's, Stations, Brutalism & performed stand-up comedy at Edinburgh. He also runs #ParkDate pod! Hat's off to him and do take a listen! #TransitSky
vectisradio.com
Mark Ovenden
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Markonthemaps (Mark Ovenden) @markonthemaps.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Anniversary today of this fine feline going to #cat heaven. With him for 18 years and he brought so much happiness. An indoor housecat his whole life (living in flats) he eventually got limited garden access in his last year before passing in 2020. Miss him still. #CatsOfBlueSky
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Markonthemaps (Mark Ovenden) @markonthemaps.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Urgent medical attention required: life #signs are not good! #signpostSunday
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Markonthemaps (Mark Ovenden) @markonthemaps.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Fascinating chat with @roadscholar.bsky.social about possibility of a new #tunnel under the #Pennines. He reckons linking #Manchester and #Sheffield can be done much cheaper with the Norwegian method that a #TunnelBoringMachine Listen here: www.vectisradio.com/on-air/prese... #TransitSky
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Markonthemaps (Mark Ovenden) @markonthemaps.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Always good to see new mass transit infrastructure opening but this must be especially pleasing for the people of beautiful #NewZealand. www.railwaygazette.com/auckland-cit... Huge bravo to all for completing this vital link for #Auckland. And a rather fine map too! #TransitSky
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Markonthemaps (Mark Ovenden) @markonthemaps.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
When I made this playful diagram about 20 years ago, it wasn’t too far off the new #GreaterManchesterMayor’s plan but I’ll be in my 90s by 2050 - if indeed any of us make past the AI killing us all off in 2 years time. But hey, otherwise: it’s a great plan! www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
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Markonthemaps (Mark Ovenden) @markonthemaps.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
#OTD 100 years ago, 7 new #Underground stations opened serving #SouthLondon. With beautiful modern designs by #CharlesHolden and escalators to all platforms, it was a huge boon to southern suburbs and brought the #Tube to Morden. #TransportForLondon #TFL #Train #TransitSky
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Markonthemaps (Mark Ovenden) @markonthemaps.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Leading young #rail planner Kayla Bibby, founder of the North Star Rail Alliance, wants a new Merseyrail route utilising disused tunnels: names it 'the Sergeant Pepper Line'. Hear our geeky map chat plus thoughts on rise of the UK's new skyscrapers. www.vectisradio.com/on-air/prese... #TransitSky
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Markonthemaps (Mark Ovenden) @markonthemaps.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Privilege to speak for #TootingHistoryGroup on #Centenary of the #NorthernLine extension to #Morden They made an exceptional cake we all tucked into afterwards! And sang happy birthday to it!
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Markonthemaps (Mark Ovenden) @markonthemaps.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Appreciation to @joebrownlondon.bsky.social for this post. Great to see his excellent books in @stanfordstravel.bsky.social too. And he’s so right to ask everyone to buy in physical bookshops if possible. To paraphrase the wise old car sticker: « if you can read this thank a bookshop »!
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Markonthemaps (Mark Ovenden) @markonthemaps.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
#BAFTA award-winning Geoff Posner's back: more tales of #AcornAntiques, #French&Saunders, #DinnerLadies & his other telly productions in the 2nd part of our long giggly natter about his life as a TV Director including cast corpsing over #MrsOverall's lumpy tights: www.vectisradio.com/on-air/prese...
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Markonthemaps (Mark Ovenden) @markonthemaps.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
He's worked on #CatherineTate, #HarryEnfield, #Blackadder, #SteveCoogan, #French&Saunders, #LittleBritain & #VictoriaWood / #JulieWalters. #AcornAntiqes #2soups: all directed by #GeoffPosner. He reveals how he 1st met Vic. Plus why he's a big transport fan too! www.vectisradio.com/on-air/prese...
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Markonthemaps (Mark Ovenden) @markonthemaps.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
@terriblemapshq.bsky.social have you seen this one? AI seems to have made the south of Ireland into southern England while turned Ulster into an island for a solar panel advert. Quite the mapping mix up!
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Markonthemaps (Mark Ovenden) @markonthemaps.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
#AndrewMartin host of 'Reading On Trains' Substack & author of bestseller 'To The Sea By Train' told me last year about these plus then new 'Moquette Mystery'. Listen again and find out more about why there was a station at #Waterloo dedicated to corpses! www.vectisradio.com/podcasts/cat...
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Markonthemaps (Mark Ovenden) @markonthemaps.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Forgive shameless self promotion but for we freelance #authors these things are rare: new book with @mrmappy.bsky.social #Mapping #Britains #Railways has just gone to Number 1 in 6 #Amazon categories. Also No1 @stanfordstravel.bsky.social in #Trains & #Transport. Appologies for trumpet-blowing!
Screenshot from Amazon.co.uk showing Ovendens book as « Number One Best Seller » in the Railways History category.
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Markonthemaps (Mark Ovenden) @markonthemaps.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
Book launch ahead! Love #maps #railways #design? Know people who do? Search "Mapping Britain's Railways" & "Ovenden" for new #BritishLibrary title out 18/08/26. 1st with every #TrainOperatingCompany & newest #GreatBritishRailways maps, plus historical ones. #transit & #cartography lovers must-have!
Mark Ovenden poses inside the Stanfords book store, Covent Garden, London, with piles of his new book, just signed!
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Markonthemaps (Mark Ovenden) @markonthemaps.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
As if we didnt already know: the #SUV (Stupendously Unnecessary Vehicle) is dominating the #UK. Time for action now to reduce these things down and tax them off our roads? www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
It’s the SUV tyranny: where have all the normal family cars gone? | Coco Khan
They rule the roads and, in their wake, even old-style saloons have been supersized. It’s an illusion of consumer choice, says writer and podcaster Coco Khan
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Markonthemaps (Mark Ovenden) @markonthemaps.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
What's the attraction of that golden age of #bus and #coach travel? Transport Historian Michael Walton wants to enthuse us about the beautiful design of #marketing & #posters that epitomise those glory days of buses & coaches. Listen to Mike here: www.vectisradio.com/on-air/prese... #TransitSky
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Markonthemaps (Mark Ovenden) @markonthemaps.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
Oh my word! This is quite hilarious. For anyone who knows the geography of the UK and our #railway network in particular you will be horrified. Let’s hope no one tries to use it to plan a journey! #TransitSky #UKRailways
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Markonthemaps (Mark Ovenden) @markonthemaps.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
Not the best eclipse photo, but with my cracked iPhone lens and cover it somehow feels quite sweet
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Markonthemaps (Mark Ovenden) @markonthemaps.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
Spotted this huge cloud emanating from the #NewForest last night but zero mention of fires on local news so assumed must be a weird natural formation. How wrong! Very noticeable aroma in air this morning. Were local news outlets asleep last night (approx 8pm)? www.islandecho.co.uk/islanders-ur...
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Markonthemaps (Mark Ovenden) @markonthemaps.bsky.social · 09/08/2026
Rare chance to see inside a #railway #signalbox. Disconnected in 1988 but now a #Grade2Listed historic landmark. Fine views down the line to #Shanklin from where a #Ryde bound ex-London #Underground renovated D-Stock (now 484) is seen entering #Brading station under electronic control. #TransitSky
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Markonthemaps (Mark Ovenden) @markonthemaps.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
Can #Trams, #Railways, #Sport and #Music mix? Dr Kevin Tennent of the #UniversityOfYork says YES! Hear how he studied the #LondonOlympics, and #Independent #RecordLabels between the business systems behind our transport systems. www.vectisradio.com/on-air/prese...
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Markonthemaps (Mark Ovenden) @markonthemaps.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
Very sad to see this. Hope it is not true or massively exaggerated?
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Markonthemaps (Mark Ovenden) @markonthemaps.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
Today: a Welsh-born professor who lived in China as a child and studied in Leeds and Taiwan! Dafydd Fell also presented a radio show in Taiwan, writes about party politics there and his book on the islands Sugar Railways is an absolute delight. Listen here: www.vectisradio.com/on-air/prese...
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Markonthemaps (Mark Ovenden) @markonthemaps.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
A few large heavy ‘steam rollers’ clearing bus lanes might put idiots like this off flouting the rules maybe? #TransitSky
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Markonthemaps (Mark Ovenden) @markonthemaps.bsky.social · 26/07/2026
More good moves on reducing #publictransport costs. #TransitSky
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Markonthemaps (Mark Ovenden) @markonthemaps.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
#TransitSky Anything to boost #publictransport simply has to be applauded. Sister who is incapacitated needs to take 3 buses to the hospital (an £18 per return trip) but with this: cut to £12 it’s more do-able. Ideally we need ‘hopper’ fares too (allowing bus changes within an hour). Good start tho.
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Markonthemaps (Mark Ovenden) @markonthemaps.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
Bowled over to be included in #Waterstones list of Summer26 pre-orders! If you know anyone who loves #transport and #cartography: maybe point them in this direction! www.waterstones.com/book/mapping... #TransitSky #UKRailways
Graphic link to Waterstones website which includes their logo and cover of Mark Ovenden's new book. Pre-order 25% off offer begins today 21st July and runs until 24th July. Use code "SUMMER26" for discount.
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Markonthemaps (Mark Ovenden) @markonthemaps.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
When #hovercraft first flew they looked like #science-fiction. Historian and model-maker Ashley Hollebone has built unfeasible machines for #Hollywood from #JamesBond to #HarryPotter. Ashley explains his love of hovercraft and how they were developed. www.vectisradio.com/on-air/prese... #TransitSky
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Markonthemaps (Mark Ovenden) @markonthemaps.bsky.social · 11/07/2026
If we want better #publictransport: we have to fight for it. Direct from Oakland @carterlavin.bsky.social explains his great book and why we have to battle to get improvements. Listen: www.vectisradio.com/podcasts/cat... Get the book: www.islandpress.org/fight #TransitSky
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Markonthemaps (Mark Ovenden) @markonthemaps.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
This is the calmest I’ve ever seen the #EnglishChannel. There’s hundreds of miles of #ocean out there and was not a breath of wind and literally no waves. It felt like a sci-fi movie scene. Most disturbing! Videoed this morning at #Brook beach (where the #dinosaur footprints are).
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Markonthemaps (Mark Ovenden) @markonthemaps.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
Phone just randomly threw up this photo taken on this day in 2022. Rather fine perspective on #London’s #BTTower from below. Such a clever building Ng when it first went up in #1964.
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Markonthemaps (Mark Ovenden) @markonthemaps.bsky.social · 05/07/2026
Great article here on the new Regional #Transit Connections diagrams going up across #California's #BayArea. www.sfgate.com/travel/artic... Well done to journalist #KentGerman for covering this and helping riders on their journeys, such a map is long overdue IMHO. #TransitSky
sfgate.com
The most sophisticated transit map for the entire Bay Area is here
A new map promotes travel to the best of the Bay Area by BART, bus and more.
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Markonthemaps (Mark Ovenden) @markonthemaps.bsky.social · 05/07/2026
Help save and protect Britain’s #RedSquirrels: c.org/hKSqtKzrR4 We are lucky to have them here here at home but more can be done: please read and sign this petition if you care about the subject?
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Markonthemaps (Mark Ovenden) @markonthemaps.bsky.social · 05/07/2026
Local #pigeon proves birdbath accurately named.
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Markonthemaps (Mark Ovenden) @markonthemaps.bsky.social · 04/07/2026
The stellar career of charming Phil Marsh: he tried to sell the Royal Train, send Eurostar's north & help filming for Harry Potter train scenes. He went from selling a Senior Railcard to Bette Davies to managing the railways - but says he's "just a rail worker". www.vectisradio.com/podcasts/cat...
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Markonthemaps (Mark Ovenden) @markonthemaps.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
Tunnels to be discussed for the #ShetlandIslands (population: 23,190), but not even on fantasy list for the #IsleOfWight (pop: 141,660)? England's largest/most populous island with some major deprivation issues/expensive ferries. There needs to be some parity here. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Shetland backs 'transformative' £1.5bn plan to replace ferries with tunnels
The undersea links between some of the UK's most northerly islands could be in place within eight years.
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Markonthemaps (Mark Ovenden) @markonthemaps.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
#Essex council have banned libraries from "promoting" #LGBTQ+ events and materials. It's outrageous - have we gone backwards a generation to dark days of #Section28? Please consider signing this petition to make them scrap this hateful decision! you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/li...
you.38degrees.org.uk
Essex libraries should be for everyone!
Did you hear that Essex's Reform council have banned libraries from "promoting" LGBTQ+ events and materials? It's outrageous! Sign the petition now to make them scrap this hate-filled decision!
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Markonthemaps (Mark Ovenden) @markonthemaps.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
Interesting ideas coming out about devolution. What do people think of a "Number10North" concept?
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Markonthemaps (Mark Ovenden) @markonthemaps.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
Still nobody seems to be asking now that £billions have been syphoned off to construction companies and consultants, why they cannot be cajoled or forced into delivering this for less and quicker. They’ve had their vast profits: now finish the job for costs only! www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
theguardian.com
Pause HS2 reset until you are confident it can be delivered, NAO tells ministers
Spending watchdog says high-speed rail project must be put on stable footing to avoid repeat of costly past failures
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Markonthemaps (Mark Ovenden) @markonthemaps.bsky.social · 28/06/2026
Our first #dahlia. It’s perfect symmetry and deep beauty have already stolen my heart to make it the current favourite flower in the garden. #flowers
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Markonthemaps (Mark Ovenden) @markonthemaps.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
#Rail history #YouTube guru Jack is the #WightWanderer, he's an expert on the many closed lines on the #IsleOfWight youtube.com/@WightWanderer and he explains how they were built, reveals a secret railway & why old #Tube trains run here. Listen now: vectisradio.com/on-air/presenters/mark-ovenden/
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Markonthemaps (Mark Ovenden) @markonthemaps.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
Local media reported it was indeed over 39degrees here yesterday - while #BBC still peddling the 36 degree high lie. Why are we being lied to #bbcverify ? www.islandecho.co.uk/39-3c-record...
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Markonthemaps (Mark Ovenden) @markonthemaps.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
#BBC is running a story that the temperature hit 34.7 at 2pm. No analysis is provided. But the lived experience is that it’s been MUCH hotter with garden weather stations widely showing 36-39. Are they just ALL badly positioned and poorly calibrated? Surely worth reporting this too?
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Markonthemaps (Mark Ovenden) @markonthemaps.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
Beautiful #sunset this evening looking across the #Solent into #NewForest. Thank that beautiful ball of energy for our lives!
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Markonthemaps (Mark Ovenden) @markonthemaps.bsky.social · 20/06/2026
#SummerSolstice eve #sunset. Gorgeous finale to a fine birthday. Praise the #sun for our lives :-)
Approaching sunset as sun drops towards horizon over the sea at Gurnard, Isle of Wight.
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Markonthemaps (Mark Ovenden) @markonthemaps.bsky.social · 20/06/2026
Passing through #Birmingham New Street recently had enough time between changing trains to take a swift peek at the #tram extension to the station. Very impressive, right outside the entrance, smart vehicles and decent #map on their TVM. All power to the future #MidlandMetro extensions! Bravo Brum!
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Markonthemaps (Mark Ovenden) @markonthemaps.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
No not a sign about upcoming YMCA dancers, something much scarier! Spotted on a beach at #Bembridge, #IsleofWight.
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