Despite the eldest being 94, all still with marbles intact. I came away with the thought that if these guys were brought back to recover UK Rail today, it would be in a different place very quickly.

Gordon Pettitt’s 90th birthday lunch today. A rare opportunity to rub shoulders with Railway Royalty. Six General Managers; Patterson, Green, Warburton, Nelson, Ellis and, of course, Pettitt. A few other mere mortals inc John Swift, George Muir, Bob Breakwell, Michael Holden and self.

Once upon a time there was no shed, almost no spares, very few Minions and just a few vague ambitions. 11 years later, look how far we’ve come.

We couldn’t have done this without your help.

Industrial wibble.

Our Head of Operational Delivery, John Humphries, has asked us to help his lovely wife, Julie, raise money for a great cause.

Donations can be made by scanning the QR code or the link below:

justgiving.com/page/julie-hum…

❄ THANK YOU ❄

Telegraph journalist Sophia Money-Coutts, of the Coutts dynasty, says young people have it too good.

Paul Nowak isn't having it.

Lowering of Quality achieved.

VeryBritishProblems A bloke lost a couple of fingers in a workplace accident and his mates started calling him Clocky... Because he had a big hand and a little hand.

Time to permanently lower the operational standards on the Pompey Direct, I think.

I laughed at this far more than I should.

Bomo, iPhone, not “Bono” - don’t correct my bloody spelling.

I know what I mean.

Perhaps there’s a valid argument for giving a few more of these workhorses a lick of paint before they’re finally retired?

NSE?
Southern Railway Green?
SETG?*

* - if SWR Help or Porterbrook want to talk to the SETG about a 455 paint scheme, please drop me a line!!

Heading into work aboard 5868 - the BR blue one.

Have to say, Bono’s paint shop has done an absolutely brilliant job with it. Interesting to watch the passengers reactions to it arriving; people who ordinarily wouldn’t notice a train are looking up and showing an interest.

We're about to lose the ability to build our own trains. For good. Make no mistake, once this is gone it doesn't come back. And we don't get to blame anyone but ourselves for this mess; we've voted in the idiots who've allowed it to happen.

“Nearly’ £11,000.

Sooooooo close….

gofundme.com/f/Returning-34…

A simple request: if you think Ian Hislop is a much-needed National Treasure, please give this post a like 👍

mirror.co.uk/news/politics/…

In one day we moved from £9,500 to nearly £11,000.

ONE DAY!!!

THIS is what can happen when likeminded people put their weight behind a project.

gofundme.com/f/Returning-34…

Visibility is everything:
Campaigns live and die by how many people see and engage with them; can you retweet this? Better yet can you spare the price of a pint of beer for 423417_GordonPettitt?

gofundme.com/f/Returning-34…

Warning, Graphic. But needs to be shared!

So Minion Dan has been removing, improving and refitting - the First Class Corridor has been stripped back, fettled and refitted. As has the seating and panelling in the derestricted H Compartment.