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Simon Kendler @simonzev.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

run another train, which if a dedicated freight line, would be no issue anyway as you could run as many trains as you like at whatever the minimum headway would be.

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Simon Kendler @simonzev.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

point. Great that the Betuweroute has passive provision for double stack but at a guess, it’s unlikely to be taken advantage of for decades if ever for various efficiency reasons. Also, I doubt we’d run trains more than 1000m as we’d need extra locos & crews in the formation so might as well just

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Simon Kendler @simonzev.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

We definitely need to incentivise greater modal shift to rail but a lot more could be done with existing infrastructure if the underlying costs could be tackled to make rail more economically attractive. On that basis, we don’t really need to think about double length or double stack trains at this

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Simon Kendler @simonzev.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

This is just not the case. Freight needs are widespread and the customer base is dynamic therefore, the classic network is better for freight but needs capacity, high speed lines should do the intercity traffic which proves aforementioned capacity.

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Simon Kendler @simonzev.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

From sunset to sunset, the #RailFreight keeps rolling. GBRf’s 4L68 accelerates through Walthamstow Queens Road on the last leg towards London Gateway. #Freight #London

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Simon Kendler @simonzev.bsky.social · 17/04/2026

Apparently some people are triggered by the idea that something they feel strongly about might have historical connections that are problematic. This film is insightful, interesting & above all factual. If you don’t like it, that’s a you problem. youtu.be/hY-y_41gl3Q?...

youtu.be

Railway's Shameful Secret Finally Exposed

YouTube video by Paul Whitewick

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Simon Kendler @simonzev.bsky.social · 17/04/2026

These are people are ridiculous and need to grow up

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Simon Kendler @simonzev.bsky.social · 20/03/2026

And just like that, having ridden Class 455s all my life, this really is the last time in revenue earning service. End of an era & another childhood fleet of mine gone… #Class455 #NetworkSouthEast❤️💙🤍

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Simon Kendler @simonzev.bsky.social · 25/02/2026

Yes, that is the plan, particularly to take advantage of HS1’s generous GB+ loading gauge as at the moment there is nowhere this type of traffic can go hence there being no freight on HS1

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Simon Kendler @simonzev.bsky.social · 31/01/2026

Biomass empties as it’s coming from Drax

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Simon Kendler @simonzev.bsky.social · 31/01/2026

I hope he has a nice ride and can chat to GWR’s comms team. I’m now safely stabled back in north London.

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Simon Kendler @simonzev.bsky.social · 31/01/2026

Here’s the set departing for Greenford having topped up its batteries.

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Simon Kendler @simonzev.bsky.social · 31/01/2026

Popped down to West Ealing for my first ride on the @gwr.com record breaking Class 230 #BatteryTrain The latest tech, meets tube train, meets 1992 Tube Stock as well as the Elizabeth Line & I bumped into the delightful @mrtimdunn.bsky.social 🚇 🔋 ⚡️

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Simon Kendler @simonzev.bsky.social · 24/01/2026

To do the equivalent by road would involve around 60x120 mile round trips. Multiply that by 3 trains and that’s around 180x120 mile round trips. So 3 trains replacing 21,600 HGV miles per week or over 1 million HGV miles per year - and that’s just one flow.

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Simon Kendler @simonzev.bsky.social · 24/01/2026

This is how #DCRail deliver up to 1500t of aggregate into their Chessington terminal multiple times a week. At the moment, using a pair of glorious Class 56s. It was a privilege to get & about and work on these for operational validation work with more to come. #RailFreight

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Reposted by Simon Kendler

Brent Toderian @brenttoderian.bsky.social · 22/01/2026

IMPORTANT: The Dutch invest €595 million annually on urban biking, resulting in €19 BILLION saved in public health care costs alone. That’s how smart governments do the math on investing in better mobility. Let’s be clear— it WASTES public money to NOT do it. #CityMakingMath HT @modacitylife.com

Striking images of Dutch bike infrastructure taken by @ModaCityLife.com

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Simon Kendler @simonzev.bsky.social · 21/01/2026

Either they’ll procure a bi or multi-mode fleet or they’ll grab some off lease 222s as a stop gap before doing the above.

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Simon Kendler @simonzev.bsky.social · 21/01/2026

Gosh, it really has been that long. Was lucky enough to grab a full ride on WSMR with dinner service in 2010. Still the best meal I’ve eaten on a train.

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Simon Kendler @simonzev.bsky.social · 21/01/2026

They’re completely knackered, saw parts of them held together with Gaffa tape, Chiltern have done well to keep them going this long. Tbh I don’t think there’s anywhere suitable to be cascades either.

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Simon Kendler @simonzev.bsky.social · 21/01/2026

I love a Mk3 as much as the next person but my goodness these are tired. The Mk5as will be a massive improvement and long overdue. #ChilternRail

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Simon Kendler @simonzev.bsky.social · 21/01/2026

Likely my last ever ride on a loco-hauled Mk3 set, courtesy of @chilternrailways.bsky.social Prince’s Risborough peak buster. At least we’ll hear those CATs roar for a while yet. #TrainTravel #LocoHauled #BRMark3

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Simon Kendler @simonzev.bsky.social · 03/01/2026

There is a plan being worked up now to increase capacity by over 3 times which will likely entail a complete spatial redesign of the check in area (and likely eat into the massively overly large arrivals sections)

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Simon Kendler @simonzev.bsky.social · 03/01/2026

The report says “could” and ignores factors like a reduction in hyper local car use due to the LTN and the fact that maybe people could do more journeys not by a car (67% of journeys in inner London are less than 2 miles).

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Simon Kendler @simonzev.bsky.social · 03/01/2026

Not sure about that. The branch faces the wrong way, and the eastern approach is through a big hill/cliff so the only approach is really the old way via the town and perhaps a flexible bridge over the harbour mouth to reach the current terminal. Also, the bus is fine. Most people go by car anyway.

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Simon Kendler @simonzev.bsky.social · 03/01/2026

Very much a bus ride to the current terminal now from just outside the main station.

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Simon Kendler @simonzev.bsky.social · 03/01/2026

Well as we hurtle rapidly towards WWIII, at least I’ve got a nice view this morning thanks to SNCF/TER Normandie on this Alstom bi-mode unit from Rouen to Dieppe. The late winter sunrise highlighting last night’s dusting of snow. Magnifique 👌 🇫🇷 #TrainTravel

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Simon Kendler @simonzev.bsky.social · 31/12/2025

Thank you, you too. Bit of a one off on the kilt though, it was my wedding day!

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Simon Kendler @simonzev.bsky.social · 31/12/2025

Other highlights include: Running a #YoungRailProfessionals #YoungRailTours France trip, taking a Class 43 almost to the Channel Tunnel, holding multiple safety inspections & trialling new freight sites for traffic. And next year, a whole new challenge awaits… 👶

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Simon Kendler @simonzev.bsky.social · 31/12/2025

I’ve worked a few charters, driven this 08 (under instruction), wore this kilt & done many cab rides including this one on the Class 99s first run to/from the Southern Region ⬇️

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Simon Kendler @simonzev.bsky.social · 31/12/2025

2025 started with this Highland Cow in Pollok Park on New Year’s Day and ends with this beach in northern France today on New Year’s Eve. It’s been a year of some massive highs & some latent lows #2025 First off #FreePalestine 🇵🇸 Now, my summary of highlights are: ⬇️

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Simon Kendler @simonzev.bsky.social · 21/12/2025

Having a fab day working Train 1 of SWR’s #Class455 Farewell Charter Another fleet from my #NetworkSouthEast❤️💙🤍 childhood coming to an end so a privilege to working it today

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Simon Kendler @simonzev.bsky.social · 16/12/2025

Currently about 2 per day per direction.

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Simon Kendler @simonzev.bsky.social · 16/12/2025

Even more fanciful then. We’re not going to be building any freight only main lines in this country. We can barely build a high speed network to provide additional capacity on the existing network!

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Simon Kendler @simonzev.bsky.social · 16/12/2025

I don’t believe there is any protected freight capacity on HS1 but it must be remembered that HS1 has plenty of capacity and that freight, unless high speed, would generally only run outside of passenger operating hours

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Simon Kendler @simonzev.bsky.social · 16/12/2025

Capacity on the BML is quite constrained but we have 35 protected paths per direction each day for international freight between the tunnel and Wembley so not an issue.

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Simon Kendler @simonzev.bsky.social · 15/12/2025

The above map seems an archaic view of the rail network that assumes the Brighton Main, West London & Chiltern Lines are under utilised, could be gauge-cleared and that loads of connecting infra from the GCML to Daventry+Golden Triangle could be built.

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Simon Kendler @simonzev.bsky.social · 15/12/2025

W10 clearance from the tunnel & a fleet of new low-liner wagons that can accommodate S45s would be a good start. HGV trailers tend to head into London/SE or the Midlands where payback for investment over short distances is tricky but HS1 has potential should a London terminal be built for it.

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Simon Kendler @simonzev.bsky.social · 10/12/2025

Yeah, should just call it BR but that was never gonna fly.

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Simon Kendler @simonzev.bsky.social · 10/12/2025

Hopefully it’ll be a decent app that can incorporate all the best parts of the various ones and dispense with the poorer aspects of various ones out there.

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Simon Kendler @simonzev.bsky.social · 09/12/2025

Controversy as I don’t hate the new proposed GBR brand and livery. I think it needs some tweaks (don’t think it works on the intermediate vehicles) but it’s not bad & will no doubt evolve over time and improve. Happy #GBRDay everyone… #GBR

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Simon Kendler @simonzev.bsky.social · 09/12/2025

Nothing like a bit of ‘Inspiration’ in the morning and little can inspire more than the legend of Karen Harrison. Puts me in the right frame of mind for the last day of my 4-day training course in good ol’ Swindon #Inspiration #KarenHarrison #Rail200 #GBRDay

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Simon Kendler @simonzev.bsky.social · 18/11/2025

Also, we don’t improve the asylum system and the issues it causes by making it worse. How about we set up an actual system for people and let people work whilst their application is processed? 🤷

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Simon Kendler @simonzev.bsky.social · 18/11/2025

The generalised reasons DK has a tough immigration system (apart from institutional racism) is geographical (closer to the rest of 🇪🇺) & because they have something to protect… their high wage, high tax funded welfare system. I know what aspects I’d try to copy…

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Simon Kendler @simonzev.bsky.social · 18/11/2025

When seeing “Danish-style”, we should be emulating their welfare system, paid parental leave, excellent bike lanes & well funded health+social care systems. We should NOT be copying their awful worsening immigration system. I would know. I was an immigrant living there…

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