Bessie 🚂 🦡

ASLEF members have once again changed the job and the industry for the better. Conference recognised the fantastic achievements of Steve Pritchard and Andy Cook in securing a change in colour-vision standards for train drivers 👏 #AAD26

That being said..! Here's me yesterday through Warminster on 6V41, in 69010 with 66553 DIT, and 20 wagons trailing behind It was my first time driving from Eastleigh to Westbury on my own since signing the route off and I think it might be the most beautiful route I sign so far.

l've always wanted my railway journey to be about the railway itself, because I love the people, the experiences, the learning and the job l've worked so hard to do every day. I'm still here. Just spending more time in the cab and a little less time on the timeline.

Over the last few months, I've taken a step back from social media (and my phone in general!) I'm a crank through and through so I'm never out of love with the railway, despite how "q-word" I've been.

@adlam_stev34241 @thebestmarklee I was! :-)

@bessbbe @thebestmarklee I think you were on 6v41 today to Westbury

Lovely to see @bessbbe at Southampton. Even if you did hold me up on the trip to Eastleigh, then have the cheek to get a lift home on my train! 🤣

Swanage poster no.1 ! Another fantastic deisel gala and beer festival, thanks to all involved @bessbbe @SwanRailway

Got the dynamic duo back together for the Women in Rail Awards last night! 💙 A truly wonderful and inspirational evening, and I can't thank @bessbbe enough for coming to support me in my first year as a judge!

@GarethDennis This is exciting!!! Big love to the 4 of you ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

well, here we go again... though three weeks early this time!

GBRf Class 99 Loco First Ever Passenger Run 99004 Hauls The London Underground 4TC At Corfe Castle This Morning ☀️ 🚂@GBRailfreight @bessbbe

Came up with a new game which I'm affectionately calling "Bessie Bombing" A friend of mine is building a model railway, little does he knows that I've got some @bessbbe figures to sneak onto it without him knowing 🤣

@adlam_stev34241 @thebestmarklee Hahaha I didn’t know I could do that with my face 😁😂 was great to see you Steve

@thebestmarklee @bessbbe Yes it was great to see you i was the guy on platform 3 with the cleaning trolley

@thebestmarklee 😂😂😂 it was great to see you, and an honour to be driven home by you!

@SimonZev A very very very happy new year to you and yours Simon x

Other highlights include: Running a @youngrailpro #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… 👶

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: ⬇️

🌟 A Note for New Year 🌟 As everyone starts to share their successes in 2025 and their goals for 2026... Remember, your success doesn't need to be defined by ticking off dreams. That a new year doesn't mean a new you. It's ok if you didn't achieve what you hoped for, for lots of us, simply surviving 2025 was an achievement! Surviving is more than enough, don't let the pressure of social media force you to compare yourself. January 1st isn't the only time we can set ourselves goals, we can choose to do this whenever we want. When life isn't too much. On our terms, or not at all. So please be gentle with yourself, Let go of the pressures, and welcome 2026 Happy New Year everyone, S x #NewYear

So! To put it in to a more fun perspective, I’ve pulled the weight of 1.9 billion washing machines with wagons stretching the length of 2,260 football pitches around the globe and starting to come back again! 🌍🌍 It’s been a great year, and I can’t wait for what 2026 brings. ❤️

66748 was the engine I drove the most at 17 times, and 4O46 was my most driven headcode at 44 times.🫸🫸 November was my busiest month with 24 shifts, travelling 3222 miles. July was my heaviest month at 48,825 tonnes. March saw me pulling 4206 SLU (around 17 miles of wagons!)

It’s that time again 🤓 Welcome to ‘Work Wrapped’! 2025 has been my first full year as a mainline driver, and it’s been a fantastically busy one for both me and freight! 🤘