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Shel @shellienic.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Our #MidlandPullman arrives back in #InvernessRailwayStation from her stabling point. As much as it’s lovely, I’m sad to be leaving the Highlands today (I might not miss the dampness though!) Until next month - goodbye Scotland! #LordOfTheIsles #HST #ScenicRailJourneys

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Shel @shellienic.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

A rather wet & windy Kyle of Lochalsh. We had a little tootle about but caved to the poor weather & chilled on the train. Such a shame given we had 2hrs instead of 1! #MidlandPullman #LordOfTheIsles #Highlands

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Shel @shellienic.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

After a food & drink filled trip, we arrived in Inverness around 21.30. It was a very enjoyable journey, and we are looking forward to Kyle of Lochalsh. #MidlandPullman #HST #LordOfTheIsles

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Shel @shellienic.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

It’s been a long time coming.. but today began our Midland Pullman weekend to Inverness. So far so good. Fabulous day, journey, train, service! #TrainDriver #BusmansHoliday #HST #MidlandPullman

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Shel @shellienic.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Good Morning! Happy Monday! I’m only doing a 3 day week this week and today begins with a spare shift! #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver #WomenInTheRail

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Shel @shellienic.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Couldn’t resist but to ‘Reggie’ my nails again! Can’t believe it’s been 2 years since the #Class323 finished with West Mids. #TrainDriver #LikeTrainLikeNails #ReggieTheRetro

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Shel @shellienic.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Friday 27th September 2024: the Last #Class323 in Passenger Service for West Mids. I had the pleasure of driving 22.53 B’ham to Bromsgrove & back & then putting her to bed for the last time on #SohoDepot Do still miss these trains. @hunsletthebear.bsky.social #TrainDriver #Memories

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Shel @shellienic.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Bit of a dull & drizzly weather day here at #SohoDepot - I’m the depot fairy today… the beck & call driver for anything the Shunter wants. I have a trainee driver with me so we’ve had a good walk around & I’ve filled his brain with depot info! #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver

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Shel @shellienic.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

Rugeley ✅ and 2 x Redditch to go! A nice heavy rain shower on the chase line made the railheads like an ice rink. Cheers then! #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver #Railway #WomenInRail

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Shel @shellienic.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Let’s Go Saturday! And it’s a long one! Keeps me out of trouble I guess! 🤣 Happy Saturday everyone! #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver #WomenInRail

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Shel @shellienic.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

Sunday was an afternoon standby shift. Given work solely on the South Cross City with a Bromsgrove & 2x Redditch. I got finished a bit earlier which was nice and the last train I worked was also my train home. Bonus! #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver #FemaleTrainDriver #WomenInRail #LoveMyJob

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Shel @shellienic.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

Saturdays Spare shift began slowly but then after an emergency incident at noon I got utilised & also stopped over for an extra drive. #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver #FemaleTrainDriver #WomenInRail #LoveMyJob

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Shel @shellienic.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

Tuesday was ‘Groundhog Day’ for me with a repeat of Mondays shift. An uneventful shift (as we like it) and pleasant driving. I’m split week, so I’ve the next 2 days off. #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver #FemaleTrainDriver #WomenInRail #LoveMyJob

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Shel @shellienic.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

Join me for Monday’s shift: Beginning with ping-ponging between B’ham Intl & Rugeley & back to Intl again, this was followed by a short break, a drive to Walsall & then a round trip Walsall/Wolves. It’s nigh impossible to leave the bay at Wolves on time! #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver #WomenInRail

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Shel @shellienic.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

Train Driver Shift: Sunday edition A relatively nice & short shift with the added bonus of my last train worked being my train ride home too! An uneventful day & pleasant driving! #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver #WomenInRail #LoveMyJob

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Shel @shellienic.bsky.social · 13/06/2026

A sunny start to the day with an empty stock run to Wolverhampton from Soho depot. I’m in control of 730023 until 9.15 as I now shuffle back & forth between Wolves & Walsall! Time to get the show on the rails! #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver #FemaleTrainDriver

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Shel @shellienic.bsky.social · 26/05/2026

Today, I am the depot cat! 🐈‍⬛ I’m at #SohoDepot for our day turn here. At the beck n call of the Shunter for anything that needs to be done: shunt moves, shed moves, couples/uncouples & train preps. It’s rather warm! #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver

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Shel @shellienic.bsky.social · 12/05/2026

Observing the token being relinquished from the train having just come off the single line ready for the signaller to pass it on to the next train to allow it to proceed on to the single line. Who knows where I am? #BusmansHoliday #RailwayProcedures #Fascinated #OffDutyTrainDriver

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Shel @shellienic.bsky.social · 22/04/2026

Today is a sad day for me. I’m on my way to a funeral of a much loved railway colleague. What makes it harder, is that his story shouldn’t be over, we shouldn’t be attending his funeral today. Until we meet again Tim, Goodbye, Goodnight, God Bless. 💔😢 #RailwayFamily #Goodbye

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Shel @shellienic.bsky.social · 22/04/2026

The one thing I like about this job is my dwell time at Birmingham International coincides with the @calsleeper.bsky.social Highlander arrival. Of course this just makes me want to board it and wake up in the Scottish Highlands. #CaledonianSleeper #Class92 #SleeperTrain

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Shel @shellienic.bsky.social · 15/04/2026

15 April ‘26. A rest day for me. A poignant day for the memory of RMS Titanic. 114 years ago she slipped beneath the dark waters of the North Atlantic. I’m fascinated with Titanic’s story. I popped to my local Titanic Brewery pub, raised a pint in her memory. #Titanic #TrainDriver #DayOff

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Shel @shellienic.bsky.social · 13/04/2026

Whereas I get fuss requests & treat enquiries!

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Shel @shellienic.bsky.social · 13/04/2026

Good Morning! Happy Monday folks ☺️ Mine began shortly after 5am. A round trip Redditch/Four Oaks watching dawn disappear through foggy patches to a glorious sunrise. After my break I’ll be heading to B’ham Intl & Rugeley - then I’ll finish up with a Walsall. #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver

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Shel @shellienic.bsky.social · 12/04/2026

1/ Well, today’s shift didn’t quite end as usual. Beginning with a Lichfield & followed by a Lich/Broms - I should have finished up with a Wolves/Walsall. However on the return back from Bromsgrove I had a signal go back on me to its most restrictive. I threw the brake in fully…

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Shel @shellienic.bsky.social · 08/04/2026

After a lovely Easter long weekend off - I’m back on the iron road (well, working that is - appears I was on it rather a lot as a passenger!) A 17.48 book on (short shift) saw me drive a Lichfield, followed by a Rugeley & culminated in dropping a 730 up to Soho. #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver

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Shel @shellienic.bsky.social · 01/04/2026

Not your average day at work when this is displayed on the screens. This has not been a good week for the railway & it’s only Weds. It’s ok not to be ok. Please reach out if you need to talk - to a friend, a Samaritan.. You’re always better off in this world… please stay. #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver

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Shel @shellienic.bsky.social · 21/03/2026

… There’s a train there somewhere… It was a very foggy morning in the West Midlands… it certainly makes for challenging driving conditions - not just with visibility but also adhesion. #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver #Fog

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Shel @shellienic.bsky.social · 14/03/2026

1/ More from our day at the @worthvalley.bsky.social Couldn’t resist jumping off at Oakworth for a short while, before heading to Haworth & up the hill for lunch & a wander. We finished up with a couple of round trips & I had a little peek in the engine.

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Shel @shellienic.bsky.social · 14/03/2026

Today’s enjoyment - @worthvalley.bsky.social - my fave heritage railway & it’s fame lies within its feature in the film “The Railway Children” which I loved as a kid (& still do) I really do love the marvel of British engineering - the steam engine. #KeighleyAndWorthValley #SteamTrain

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Shel @shellienic.bsky.social · 14/03/2026

One is required to stand on one’s head in order to read the information screen on Northern’s class 158 (158850) to Morecambe. Have you got some gremlins in the system #Northern ? #TopsyTurvyInformation #Class158

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Shel @shellienic.bsky.social · 12/03/2026

t is not a nice weather night to be playing trains! Just detached a pair of 350s & brought one up to Soho Depot. Waiting for a taxi back to New St. #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver #WomenInRail

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Shel @shellienic.bsky.social · 18/02/2026

Another shift in the Birmingham metropolis went a little like this: 🚊Birmingham - Lichfield TV - Birmingham - - Short Break - - 🚊Birmingham - Bromsgrove - Lichfield TV - Birmingham - - PNB - - 🚊Birmingham - Rugeley TV - Birmingham And that’s a wrap on the day! #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver

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Shel @shellienic.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

I began with the week with a 13.00 standby shift today. I was hollered after a while to drive a Bromsgrove, then later to drive a Redditch to finish my day. I enjoy driving between Five Ways & Bournville adjacent to the canal, & watching the sun set is beautiful. #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver

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Shel @shellienic.bsky.social · 08/02/2026

A bright & early 4.45am spare for me on Saturday saw me look after the ‘Ferry’ turn until 9am (during which time I attached a pair of 350s together ready to be taken by another driver to Liverpool) and then drive a Four Oaks/Redditch which ended my day. #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver

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Shel @shellienic.bsky.social · 08/02/2026

3/ I finished up with a Longbridge/Lichfield and had our GBR rebranded 730 - 730033 (paired with 730034 - always like consecutively numbered trains together!)

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Shel @shellienic.bsky.social · 08/02/2026

2/ My next trip should have been a Bromsgrove but due to issues with Axle Counters, Track Circuit Failure (TCF) and floodwater all Bromsgrove services were flipped at Longbridge to start their return journey to Lichfield.

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Shel @shellienic.bsky.social · 08/02/2026

1/ Friday’s shift was spent driving in the rain… absolutely non-stop. Naturally this does cause some issues with the infrastructure. I began with a B’ham Intl / Rugeley & even though it was only mid-morning I could see the beginnings of flood water. #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver #FemaleTrainDriver

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Shel @shellienic.bsky.social · 05/02/2026

Weds saw me back after 2 days off. I took the ‘Pride’ of the fleet - 730018 - to B’ham Intl & Rugeley. The Chase line was quite ‘mizzly’. I had a quick coffee break, then a trip to Bromsgrove, a short lunch break & finished up with a round trip Bromsgrove/Lichfield. #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver

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Shel @shellienic.bsky.social · 04/02/2026

Sunday saw me drive my first trains under public ownership. Birmingham International/Rugeley TV x2 with a break in the middle & I was due to attach when returning from Rugeley, however I was routed into the bay platform (4c) at New St so no attaching occurred. #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver

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Shel @shellienic.bsky.social · 04/02/2026

Thurs started with a Four Oaks/Redditch/Four Oaks followed by a break and then a Wolves/Walsall. Finally I was due to take a #Class350 to Soho Depot, but when I got there I was promptly sent back to New St with it due to having been one fail & it was needed in service. #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver

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