Well there it is. 15 months of training and today was my first solo drive. 387 219 on 1U30/1U31 Brighton-Ore-Brighton🚂 got my route assessments for the remainder of my core routes and I’m on the roster from next week, with the added bonus of being on the RD pattern I wanted😊

For those wondering on the details😬.To add, thankfully the front facing CCTV got a good clear image of the group, and that has been passed on to BTP

Also special mention to those at work who made sure I was okay. The chain of care was quick and good. Credit where it’s due.

Please stay off the railway. Putting some graffiti on a tunnel wall and some signalling cabinets isn’t worth risking your life for.

…Adrenaline but I wasn’t expecting the anger. 5 people very lucky that I was alert and trusted my gut when I thought something didn’t feel right. Not what I was expecting at 04:45 this morning. Thankfully ad-hoc tomorrow & long weekend so I can relax and process what happened.

It’s a horrible feeling having to hit the big red button on the GSMR. Training kicked in and it’s all been dealt with. Made the decision to take myself off the rest of my job as I was no longer in the right frame of mind to drive. I was expecting to feel the shock and… (cont).

A visitor in Brighton. 73 964 stands at the buffers of platform 7

The start and end of yesterday’s shift. Great views from the footbridge at Bishopstone

I’ve now turned into a fitter 🤦‍♂️🥲following wiring diagrams to troubleshoot either a faulty sensor/connector or earth. I HATE car electrics and following wires. Give me strength 😩

Rest day today. Car going in for a small bit of work to replace a failed part. Got the train over to Eastbourne for some breakfast and a coffee. Getting a waistcoat fitted for my best friend’s wedding next month. Sun has come out and it looks like it’s going to be a nice day!

Apologies to those delayed on 1H11 this morning. The MITRAC train management system failed and once booted, was faulty, preventing door config and operation as well as the DOO cameras from working. I call to fleet and aux off/on seemed to fix the fault and allow us to leave 🚂

I’ve had smoother journeys 😬

Turned out to be one of the worst shifts I’ve had to work in terms of disruption. It’s been one of those days. Lots of infrastructure based issues because of the heat, & my last train delayed because of sheep. Didn’t think I would be a Shepard but every day is different😂 (2C66).

Sitting under canopy at Brighton, waiting to take my 5H54 from Brighton to Littlehampton. Pulling out is a 377/3 on the 15:28 Brighton to Portsmouth & Southsea service

Cars. A bloody pain. Thankfully found an oily plug shorting fuse 30. Traced the pipe & it’s the oil separator that’s playing up. New bit ordered and hopefully have it fitted within 2 weeks. Found the throttle body bolts were all loose!! Tightened them up & put a new air filter in

Early start for me (the earliest we have - 03:15) Got to do a prep for the first time in a while, and I must remember to take off the portable tail lamp before I go. The unit in Wall Sidings has been “Auxed Off” due to an engineering possession at some point this weekend

At 27 years old, I’ve been to my first concert. I only knew one of the songs. But the Mrs is happy as she loves the band. I’m. It going to lie, it wasn’t a bad experience (apart from venue beer prices). Any FNAF fans will know exaclty who The Living Tombstone are

Sea mist has rolled in. This will be fun to drive in 🚂

Waiting for my train up to Haywards Heath, and caught this rather rare train coming through. The Network Rail Mobile Maintenance train. Also got the see a Tamper waiting to head towards the engineering block between Polegate and Lewes

Nice job today. Lovers Walk - Brighton then over to Bexhill. Wait 30 mins, then back to Brighton. Break and a trip to Seaford. 377 111 (NHS) &156 my units for 1U18 and 2U22