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Markonthemaps (Mark Ovenden) @markonthemaps.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

It's a year since #FelicitySpector and #JackCurtis explained why their incredible train experiences were included (with mine & 7 others) in 'The Untold Railway Stories'. How Ukraine workers fix bombed tracks so fast? And an amazing train journey from UK to Baku. www.vectisradio.com/on-air/prese...

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Markonthemaps (Mark Ovenden) @markonthemaps.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Wayfinding is crucial of course but in this case I just wonder if someone had a wee bit of a need to spend the signage budget at the last minute. Do you think there may just possibly be a parking spot around here? Anyone got any other examples of signage overkill? #Wayfinding

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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 · 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 · 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 · 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 · 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

And Piccadilly still running trains from 1973 of course also Chris!

MetroCammell makers floorplate reveals date of 1973 on Piccadilly Line train still in service.

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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 · 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 · 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

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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

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 · 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 · 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 · 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

We had similar here too Leo. But “oddly” BBC unquestioning the 36 degrees that MetOffice reported. At least the local media here reported some truths.

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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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Markonthemaps (Mark Ovenden) @markonthemaps.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

Richard Bowker of the rail industry's most respected YouTube channel, #GreenSignals, speaks about how the channel grew. Plus #HS2, #NorthernPowerhouseRail and the #TransPennineUpgrade. Plus how he ended up running the #FootballLeague! Listen here now: www.vectisradio.com/on-air/prese... #UKRailways

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Markonthemaps (Mark Ovenden) @markonthemaps.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

Spotted via the PANDA Facebook page: how certain nuances of language emphasis can have different meanings. PANDA is about Promoting #Autism #Neurodiversity Awareness

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Markonthemaps (Mark Ovenden) @markonthemaps.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

Lucky you Jen. We also see them flying above the field behind us but they’ve never plonked down into our garden. We did have one of these beauties recently though!

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Markonthemaps (Mark Ovenden) @markonthemaps.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

Spotted some of the huge #HS2 construction going on around #Birmingham on this trip. Great to see, just wish it could have been done faster and been less costly (and be well en route to #Leeds & #Manchester too!) #UKRailways #TransitSky

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Markonthemaps (Mark Ovenden) @markonthemaps.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

One of Britain's most prolific travel writers and host of Seat61.com, Mark Smith, explains how and why he set up this most helpful travel blog. Something was missing in the panoply of travel advice: how to travel across Europe by train with ease. Listen here: www.vectisradio.com/on-air/prese...

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Markonthemaps (Mark Ovenden) @markonthemaps.bsky.social · 30/05/2026

Last century saw some of the most iconic pictorial posters for travel, propaganda & events. Today's guest has a lifetime in curating & preserving old posters. Delve into 20th Century Posters with website curator David Bownes in his tenth anniversary year running www.twentiethcenturyposters.com

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Markonthemaps (Mark Ovenden) @markonthemaps.bsky.social · 25/05/2026

And in hundreds of peoples gardens across UK, domestic weather stations showed it was decidedly hotter! Most recorded temps above 35 - they cannot all be wrong! Sure they dont have Stevenson Screens but the lived experience was: it was hotter than 34.8!

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Markonthemaps (Mark Ovenden) @markonthemaps.bsky.social · 25/05/2026

Is it time for official meteorologists like @metoffice.gov.uk to report the more deeply granular spread of domestic garden weather stations? Our nearest Stevenson Screen (#Ventnor) is usually many degrees lower than inland as it’s on a windy coastal cliff. www.islandecho.co.uk/sunday-scorc...

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