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Sam Jessup @samjessupdesign.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Met a proper railway legend today. He didn't say much but I get the feeling he was really useful regardless.

Sam Jessup @samjessupdesign.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

I *might* be a bit late to the party here but my favourite new-to-me railway fact of the week is that the new Class 99 locomotive has been nicknamed, by the enthusiast community, as a "flake". Although not sure I believe the subsequent rumour that the inventor of the nickname was a Mr W. Hippy.

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Sam Jessup @samjessupdesign.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

Have achieved significant new levels of railway nerdery... the new railway clock, now on my watch!

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Sam Jessup @samjessupdesign.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

A quiet Sunday morning means I've finally had time to put some select pieces from the Sam Jessup Design Collection™ in my home office. A more permanent display is coming, but it's nice to have some OO Gauge reminders of my career so far (and this is only about a third of the collection too!)

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Sam Jessup @samjessupdesign.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

Also, fun fact for Adelante fact fans... the cab/nose shape on the 180 is actually derived from a rejected proposal for the front of the 390, which VT said wasn't "Virgin" enough. You can still find original concept renders of Virgin's Pendo looking suspiciously Adelante-like!

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Sam Jessup @samjessupdesign.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

Great stuff Ted! Funnily enough, this wasn't nearly fictional. VT leased 2 x Adelantes after losing a 390 at Grayrigg but eventually settled on the 'Pretendolino' instead. 180s went back to the ROSCO, but I've still got livery drawings I produced to fit a Pendo-esque livery - yours is not far off! 👍

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Reposted by Sam Jessup

Miles and Chains @miles-and-chains.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

LNER 801207 ‘Darlington’ awaits departure north from platform 9 on a lovely summers afternoon. Hitachi garnering a lot of public comment recently, I only hope that lessons are learnt by both manufacturer and operators alike. #Hitachi #LNER #York

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Sam Jessup @samjessupdesign.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

Leeds at the weekend. Corn was exchanged. It was an absolute beauty.

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Sam Jessup @samjessupdesign.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

As proposed, by yours truly, for TfWMs diamond-fade scheme, which ended up with only full blue WMMetro trams. WMRailway was to be full orange, but also wanted purple. WMBus was to be full red but operators weren't willing. The original TfWM design guide is a corker. Just never got fully implemented.

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Sam Jessup @samjessupdesign.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

A small beer + a medium sized train = having it large.

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Sam Jessup @samjessupdesign.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

Came across some old photos, from my first time around on the railway, all young and fresh-faced in the world of Virgin (and all shot 16 years ago on my iPhone 3GS). Turns out I like an arty overhead or two...

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Sam Jessup @samjessupdesign.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

Too right! Love me a bit of Union Pacific!

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Sam Jessup @samjessupdesign.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

And all over the Netherlands too, apparently.

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Sam Jessup @samjessupdesign.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

Oh mate, I'm only pulling your chain, you know how I like to waffle on, both in emails and in-person... you've the patience of a saint my friend!

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Sam Jessup @samjessupdesign.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

Starting a petition for more trains to be yellow. Yellow is cool. It improved my mood endlessly this morning.

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Sam Jessup @samjessupdesign.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

Yeah, sorry, I just love to type... and have a LOT to say! (Don't worry, I know this wasn't aimed at me, well hopefully!)

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Sam Jessup @samjessupdesign.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

A rare midweek opportunity for some dreamy steam... with a hint of North Yorkshire oil.

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Reposted by Sam Jessup

Stuart Thomas @stuartthomas.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

Fancy a cab ride in an @lner.co.uk classic Class 91 from London to Newcastle - all while raising money for the Rail Benefit Fund? Check out the auction now - it ends next Friday! go.eventgroovefundraising.com/auction2026/...

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Sam Jessup @samjessupdesign.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

Watching the latest @railnatter.uk - as someone who works in rail, I appreciate hearing opinions backed by knowledge and experience from those who really know our industry. Insightful and thought-provoking, @garethdennis.uk has a real knack for making complex rail topics engaging and entertaining 👏👍

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Miles and Chains @miles-and-chains.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

LNER 801228 ‘Gresley 150’ rolls into York with a service for Newcastle. Thankfully the set was the wrong way round on its way north which allowed this shot! #LNER #Gresley #York

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Sam Jessup @samjessupdesign.bsky.social · 16/05/2026

Reunited, and it feels so good... yesterday's run on 801207 (on a special Doncaster-York-Doncaster service) was a chance to admire one of my favourite bits of LNER creative, and my own 'lil design contribution to Railway 200 ❤️

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Sam Jessup @samjessupdesign.bsky.social · 07/05/2026

When you're finished in the office. And it's across the road from the railway station. And your wife works at said station. And it's only half an hour 'til she finishes. And she wants to walk home with you. And said station has a pub. On platform 5. This happens. And I'm thankful for it. 🍻

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Sam Jessup @samjessupdesign.bsky.social · 02/05/2026

Sunshine, sea and stevens... a glorious morning in Scarbados always hits right.

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Sam Jessup @samjessupdesign.bsky.social · 27/04/2026

Don't make King's Cross, you won't like it when it's angry. Despite the moody photo, a fast and flawless journey Lincoln-London-Lincoln today. When the railway works, it really works.

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Sam Jessup @samjessupdesign.bsky.social · 27/04/2026

Beautiful big sheds in the sunshine. It's a railway thing.

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Sam Jessup @samjessupdesign.bsky.social · 25/04/2026

You are you, my friend. That's why everyone who knows you, loves you. Plus, one of my favourite things has always been to properly nerd out on rail-based things with you. Best mates and kindred spirits.

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Sam Jessup @samjessupdesign.bsky.social · 25/04/2026

I don't "do" football but the extra minutes I just saw of the York v Rochdale game were like something from a movie! Incredible scenes with a goal securing promotion at 90+13 after Rochdale took the lead at 90+5! Congratulations to York City (my hometown!)- back into the English Football League! ⚽️👏🍻

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Sam Jessup @samjessupdesign.bsky.social · 20/04/2026

Good luck to you Andy! Luckily for me, things at my desk are rosy this morning and it's good to be back (helps when you really enjoy your job) - Here's to an equally positive experience for you too! 👍

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Sam Jessup @samjessupdesign.bsky.social · 20/04/2026

A week and a half off means a mix of back-to-work apprehension (as to what I'm coming back to) and excitement (as to what I'm coming back to). 10 days seems to be a long time in the industry at the mo. Here's to positive vibes, on-time trains and not too many emails! 👏

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Sam Jessup @samjessupdesign.bsky.social · 17/04/2026

Did you even travel over the Royal Border Bridge on the ECML if you didn't take a picture of Berwick from it? Of course you did. (Beautiful evening for it too!)

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Sam Jessup @samjessupdesign.bsky.social · 17/04/2026

As y'all know, the venerable 225 sets have made a welcome return up the ECML to Newcastle via York, and for the last week or so, they've been powered by this beauty. With a livery by yours truly. An iconic machine with a bit of a colourful NRM twist. Proud of this one. ❤️

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Sam Jessup @samjessupdesign.bsky.social · 17/04/2026

After a fab trip to Edinburgh, it's time to head home... albeit later than planned to let our LNER customers get on their way first. Working for the company I always feel remiss taking a seat when it's busy - everyone deserves a smooth travel day after yesterday too! Anyway, thank you Edinburgh! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿👍

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Sam Jessup @samjessupdesign.bsky.social · 16/04/2026

A crisp,sunny Edinburgh morning calls for the full Scottish...

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Sam Jessup @samjessupdesign.bsky.social · 15/04/2026

Wandering the back streets of Central Edinburgh always leads to a few architectural gems...

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Reposted by Sam Jessup

Ray Newman @raynewman.bsky.social · 24/08/2024

What is that 'font' you see on council blocks, laundrettes and municipal buildings around the UK? It's probably not Stymie Bold Italic, but might be Festive. precastreinforced.co.uk/2024/04/22/t...

precastreinforced.co.uk

That mysterious font is Festive, not Stymie

What is that font? You know, THAT font? The chunky italic lettering you see on launderettes and council blocks, on post-war churches and new town butcher’s shops, across the UK. The font you’re thinki...

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Reposted by Sam Jessup

David Horne @davidhorne.bsky.social · 28/02/2026

Today we remember the 10 people who died in the Selby rail crash at Great Heck, 25 years ago on 28 February 2001. Six passengers and four railwaymen lost their lives in this tragedy and 80 people were seriously injured. Today railway colleagues will be gathering in Newcastle and Selby to remember

The Great Heck memorial garden with a GNER train passing behind

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Sam Jessup @samjessupdesign.bsky.social · 23/02/2026

Yesterday was a day of trains, beer and good mates. Sundays don't get any better. Thanks for the charitable ride Northern!

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Sam Jessup @samjessupdesign.bsky.social · 12/02/2026

What annoys me about the McLaren F1 identity scheme is that their internal designer has not properly matched their CYMK, RAL and Pantone so they all look the same. There's a lot of different papayas. If I can do it with many trains and many uniforms, they can do it in F1... #F1nerd #designnerd

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Sam Jessup @samjessupdesign.bsky.social · 11/02/2026

Doubles Luge on my telly. A sport with a proper origin story*... M1: What we doing this afternoon? M2: Well, I thought you could lie on me and we could bomb down this steep icy causeway together. M1: But if I’m lying on you what are YOU lying on? M2: This tea tray. *may not be 100% accurate.

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Sam Jessup @samjessupdesign.bsky.social · 10/02/2026

Noisy day in the York office today, this one just wouldn't stop singing... anyone would think she was an @lner.co.uk TV star or something! 😉👍

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Sam Jessup @samjessupdesign.bsky.social · 08/02/2026

The very same uni at which I did my graphic design degree, graduating in 2005... fantastic memories of a fabulous town. 3 years of living in beautiful Cornwall is good for the soul... and the creative spirit! ❤️

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Sam Jessup @samjessupdesign.bsky.social · 05/02/2026

Possibly the most colourful train on the UK rail network. And I'm here for it. Excellent work @crosscountryuk.bsky.social 🏳️‍🌈❤️👏

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Sam Jessup @samjessupdesign.bsky.social · 03/02/2026

After a long day of design and brand based work in Edinburgh with my good friend and colleague @gawuffy.co.uk, it's time to follow the example set by this Scotrail train we noted as we left the office... 🍻🍻🍻

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Sam Jessup @samjessupdesign.bsky.social · 02/02/2026

When you gather a team of skilled people, full of creative talent and interiors knowledge, add in a splash of rail expertise and mix with a brand that is proud and passionate about the experience it delivers, you end up with really good railway things. To all those involved at LNER, nicely done 👏👏👏

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Gareth @gawuffy.co.uk · 02/02/2026

I'm so proud to be able to share the interiors of our Class 897 trains, and the culmination of a two-year project I was privileged to lead on the interior design of - working with LNER colleagues, stakeholders and industry specialists to set a new standard for inter-city train interior design 🙌

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Sam Jessup @samjessupdesign.bsky.social · 01/02/2026

I knew the VTEC Mk3 interior I lead the design on was still alive and cruising the rails of Mexico, but I didn't realise they'd created Spanish translations of the signage I designed too - I love it when bits of my design work turn up in unexpected places!

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Sam Jessup @samjessupdesign.bsky.social · 23/01/2026

That Midland Mainline one is a stunner, one of Ray Stenning's finest. At the time it was a really fresh and innovative take on a HST livery, and a colourful introduction to the newly privatised railway. Looked properly gorgeous with the matching Mk3s too.

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Sam Jessup @samjessupdesign.bsky.social · 20/01/2026

Flying visit to the Cross this morning with @lner.co.uk... I say flying, it was definitely train-ing but... damn, those Azumas are a-zoomy! (Although doesn't that livery just look stunning on that Mk4 DVT... what a beaut!)

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Sam Jessup @samjessupdesign.bsky.social · 15/01/2026

Never have I shouted so much at the television. Mainly about Stephen's 1970s Power Rangers jump suit. Oh, and murderous traitors and all that. But mainly... just jumpsuit perfection. #thetraitors

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