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Simon Hickman

@simonhickman.bsky.social
632 followers 434 following 264 posts

Old stuff. Old buildings, old trains, old landscapes, old cars. Based in South Bristol; professional inspector of historic buildings and places.

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Simon Hickman @simonhickman.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Delighted to report that John Craven is as avuncular in real life as his is on telly. Came over to the Brunel swing bridge to film us a video for free yesterday, top man.
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Simon Hickman @simonhickman.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
Bought some of those reflective mats you put behind radiators plus some suction pads, and made some removable external heat blinds. My South facing House is 12 degrees cooler than outside. Might book a slot on Dragons Den.
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Simon Hickman @simonhickman.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
Lion Stores; South Bristol living history
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Simon Hickman @simonhickman.bsky.social · 04/05/2026
We were there all weekend; the Confortmatic stoically withstood the deluge!
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Simon Hickman @simonhickman.bsky.social · 04/05/2026
This one doesn’t, but I previously had a larger model - pictured - which had space for a loo. I traded it for this one because you can put it up with one person, the larger model needs two and the current Mrs Hickman is less of an enthusiast than me!
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Simon Hickman @simonhickman.bsky.social · 04/05/2026
I’d love to have met the guy who designed it in the 60s. There’s a full kitchen, wall cupboards, dinette/double bed and a set of bunk beds concealed within. In the age of the electric car an updated version (less orange fabric!) could be a winner.
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Simon Hickman @simonhickman.bsky.social · 04/05/2026
It’s completely watertight, big deluge yesterday and it stayed bone dry. Here’s how it works ~ m.youtube.com/watch?v=8lVE...
m.youtube.com
Unfolding the Rapido Confort (Matic)
YouTube video by Rogier Langeveld
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Simon Hickman @simonhickman.bsky.social · 04/05/2026
To North Cornwall for the bank holiday in the connoisseur's choice of temporary accommodation, my 1970s folding caravan. A midcentury modernist classic in brown and orange velour.
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Simon Hickman @simonhickman.bsky.social · 01/05/2026
It’s a trial run for local politicians and transport staff using a preserved unit built in the 80s. The public service is a couple of years off.
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Simon Hickman @simonhickman.bsky.social · 01/05/2026
Gave you a wave passing Ashton Gate Platform
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Simon Hickman @simonhickman.bsky.social · 01/05/2026
If you like trains and like Bristol, visit www.avrht.org/appeal
avrht.org
Fit for the Future Appeal — Avon Valley Railway Heritage Trust
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Simon Hickman @simonhickman.bsky.social · 01/05/2026
The Avon Valley Railway has just launched our “Fit for the Future” Appeal. With coal, loco hire, and utilities, it costs us over a grand a day to operate. We can manage costs if we overhaul the buffet to generate more spend & restore our own loco. More about the appeal here: www.avrht.org/appeal
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Simon Hickman @simonhickman.bsky.social · 01/05/2026
First passenger train up the Portishead line! WECA / Metrowest have hired a Pacer for the day to tour their proposed Network. Seen here between Ashton Gate Platform and Clifton Bridge.
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Simon Hickman @simonhickman.bsky.social · 26/04/2026
Very much enjoyed this gaff rigged cutter heading up the Avon gorge earlier
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Simon Hickman @simonhickman.bsky.social · 06/04/2026
Been repainting my wheels. The Mini looks smarter with fresh socks.
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Simon Hickman @simonhickman.bsky.social · 05/04/2026
"The conversation, like many others I had with people on trains, derived an easy candour from the shared journey, the comfort of the dining car, and the certain knowledge that neither of us would see each other again" Paul Theroux
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Simon Hickman @simonhickman.bsky.social · 21/03/2026
Joined a group deconstructing and rebuilding drystone walls today at the foot of the Mendips today. Lovely stuff.
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Simon Hickman @simonhickman.bsky.social · 04/03/2026
Cracking. Did you get any shots on the section that’s now the AVR, or the wider Midland route from Bristol to Bath?
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Simon Hickman @simonhickman.bsky.social · 04/03/2026
Lovely. Your pics Richard?
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Simon Hickman @simonhickman.bsky.social · 04/03/2026
SCENES on the Avon Valley Railway, as the clock turns back 60 years and Dr Beeching is incarnate. This Sunday from 10!
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Simon Hickman @simonhickman.bsky.social · 03/03/2026
This Sunday I will mainly be playing Dr Beeching at the Avon Valley Railway’s event marking 60 years since the Doctor swung his ace on many lines, including what’s now the preserved AVR. Come along and laugh at my embarrassment. www.avonvalleyrailway.org/news/the-peo...
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Simon Hickman @simonhickman.bsky.social · 27/02/2026
Been having a terrific time at work securing planning consents for the conversion of Norman Foster’s seminal Spectrum building in Swindon into a drone factory. It doubled as a Bond villain HQ for A View to a Kill, and the angled beams are modelled on Roger Moore’s eyebrows.
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Simon Hickman @simonhickman.bsky.social · 25/02/2026
Good. Clutch less so!
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Simon Hickman @simonhickman.bsky.social · 25/02/2026
First drive on a public road in 21 years. Two icons of engineering!
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Simon Hickman @simonhickman.bsky.social · 04/02/2026
Lovely stuff. I had a very enjoyable mooch around the Old Town a few years ago; it was full of character if bereft of people. Decent local transport museum too!
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Simon Hickman @simonhickman.bsky.social · 29/01/2026
More AI model railway nonsense, where recent storms have left the 1:76 scale farmers on my foldup layout in despair
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Simon Hickman @simonhickman.bsky.social · 25/01/2026
This one is particularly fun
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Simon Hickman @simonhickman.bsky.social · 24/01/2026
Very much enjoying the application of ChatGPT to my model railway
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Simon Hickman @simonhickman.bsky.social · 20/01/2026
Lower Park Row, Bristol. Chevy Chase must be playing the Bristol Beacon this evening.
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Simon Hickman @simonhickman.bsky.social · 13/01/2026
Looks very clean. Beta marine? Like the idea of an A4 bucket seat. Can’t be many engines that offered their drivers such refinement
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Simon Hickman @simonhickman.bsky.social · 11/01/2026
Patina! Here’s mine
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Simon Hickman @simonhickman.bsky.social · 11/01/2026
Let’s see your boat Phil! I’d love a Narrowboat, probably the only thing I’d sell the Mini for to fund
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Simon Hickman @simonhickman.bsky.social · 11/01/2026
The exterior is still a bit scruffy and multi-toned (“patina”) but you can now eat your dinner out of the engine bay
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Simon Hickman @simonhickman.bsky.social · 11/01/2026
Got my Mini working for the first time since 2005. Passed my driving test in this car back in 1995.
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Simon Hickman @simonhickman.bsky.social · 26/12/2025
Having a nice rest on Boxing Day
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Simon Hickman @simonhickman.bsky.social · 25/12/2025
It’s a pleasingly white Christmas here in France, an hour South of Lyon.
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Simon Hickman @simonhickman.bsky.social · 24/12/2025
Went looking for one a couple of years ago but there was no sign. Last services early 90s, last maintenance train 2010. All still there, but no chance of reopening when the roads are so good. Upper part of the line to Dunières is a velorail now.
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Simon Hickman @simonhickman.bsky.social · 24/12/2025
I am at my father in law’s in France and am very excited by this notification
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Simon Hickman @simonhickman.bsky.social · 20/12/2025
This weekend sees the withdrawal of South Western Railway’s venerable class 455 units after 44 years of service. Unremarkable trains which I have a soft spot for, having used one as our wedding transport back in 2013.
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Simon Hickman @simonhickman.bsky.social · 19/12/2025
Interesting Richard, does that imply sections were actually built? There are details of the fuller plans in the London Gazette here: www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue...
thegazette.co.uk
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Simon Hickman @simonhickman.bsky.social · 14/12/2025
I don’t think so, I’ve only been involved for a few months and don’t think I’ve met Mike. He may have taken a back seat recently. You should come over Richard, be nice to meet you. There are some interesting talks upcoming - b-i-a-s.org.uk/bias-events/
b-i-a-s.org.uk
Events from 10 January 2026 – 10 January 2026 – Bristol Industrial Archaeological Society
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Simon Hickman @simonhickman.bsky.social · 13/12/2025
Excellent morning at the Bristol industrial Archaeology Society’s Xmas social with unusual party game called “guess the objects from Geoff Wallis's garage”. That’s a line-belt stretcher & a Bulgarian scyther’s corn gathering tool, of course. Meetings in Keynsham every month! www.b-i-a-s.org.uk
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Simon Hickman @simonhickman.bsky.social · 30/11/2025
Had an excellent day out in Swanage with volunteer colleagues from the Avon Valley Railway today. Held a meeting on board a steam train with the chair of the Swanage Railway Trust, to learn about their recent restructuring. Top stuff.
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Simon Hickman @simonhickman.bsky.social · 28/11/2025
Went for a night walk with my daughter in Ashton Court earlier this week and stumbled into a testing of the lights for the forthcoming illuminate festival. Utterly magical - all the more so ‘cos we were the only ones there.
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Simon Hickman @simonhickman.bsky.social · 16/11/2025
Had a wander round Cheltenham today and very much enjoyed this bench plaque in Berkeley Place
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Simon Hickman @simonhickman.bsky.social · 14/11/2025
You know that times are tough when Pecorama, the best reason to visit Devon, announces its closure. Hopefully temporary?? www.pecorama.co.uk
pecorama.co.uk
Pecorama Public Statement: November 2025
It is with great sadness and after much soul-searching we have decided to close Pecorama, our well-loved family attraction, for the 2026 season.
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Simon Hickman @simonhickman.bsky.social · 02/11/2025
Four Forest engines
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Simon Hickman @simonhickman.bsky.social · 26/10/2025
It looks splendid back home. But I’ll be more excited if the light railway plans develop some traction! cirentrain.org.uk
cirentrain.org.uk
Ciren-Kemble Railway - The Plan
Cirencester Community Railway Project - The Plan to Re-establish the Train link between Cirencester and Kemble
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Simon Hickman @simonhickman.bsky.social · 15/10/2025
Lovely stuff Phil. Only pic no 1 can still be recreated, but the Barlow screen is part masked by the modern extension.
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Simon Hickman @simonhickman.bsky.social · 10/10/2025
Tomorrow morning, Bristol Industrial Archaeology Society are hosting what promises to be a very interesting talk by Rob Pritchard on the history of Bristol's harbour. Keynsham Masonic Hall at 1030, visitors welcome! b-i-a-s.org.uk/bias-events/
b-i-a-s.org.uk
Events from 11 October – 11 October – Bristol Industrial Archaeological Society
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