Thomas Ableman
@freewheeling.info
🚇 Was Strategy & Innovation Director Transport for London
🖊️ Freewheeling Blog / Podcast www.freewheeling.info/blog
SUBSTACK: Freewheeling Bitesize: https://freewheelingbitesize.substack.com/ & History of Europe in 75 Railway Journeys http://bit.ly/3EQNOPA
🖊️ Freewheeling Blog / Podcast www.freewheeling.info/blog
SUBSTACK: Freewheeling Bitesize: https://freewheelingbitesize.substack.com/ & History of Europe in 75 Railway Journeys http://bit.ly/3EQNOPA
Pinned
Thomas Ableman
@freewheeling.info
· May 4
Welcome to A HISTORY OF EUROPE IN 75 RAILWAY JOURNEYS
Riding the rails through 1,000 years of European history
open.substack.com
My happy place is the compartment of a European train, with a cup of coffee in one hand and a history book in the other.
Hence a Substack exploring European history based on my travels.
Each month the story of a different period through the prism of a ride.
open.substack.com/pub/historyo...
Hence a Substack exploring European history based on my travels.
Each month the story of a different period through the prism of a ride.
open.substack.com/pub/historyo...
Reposted by Thomas Ableman
Part of the reason I'll not join @nationaltrust.org.uk is the lack of consideration for non-drivers. I'm not giving my money to companies that prioritise supporting climate change over supporting better behaviours i.e. public transport, walking and cycling
It's 10 years since @nationaltrust.org.uk removed public transport directions from the Handbook. Every year, I hope that (being a conservation charity) they'll change their mind. Sometimes I write to them. And, every year, disappointment. They promote car travel: parking revenues over the planet.
January 27, 2026 at 8:31 PM
Part of the reason I'll not join @nationaltrust.org.uk is the lack of consideration for non-drivers. I'm not giving my money to companies that prioritise supporting climate change over supporting better behaviours i.e. public transport, walking and cycling
It's 10 years since @nationaltrust.org.uk removed public transport directions from the Handbook. Every year, I hope that (being a conservation charity) they'll change their mind. Sometimes I write to them. And, every year, disappointment. They promote car travel: parking revenues over the planet.
January 27, 2026 at 8:28 PM
It's 10 years since @nationaltrust.org.uk removed public transport directions from the Handbook. Every year, I hope that (being a conservation charity) they'll change their mind. Sometimes I write to them. And, every year, disappointment. They promote car travel: parking revenues over the planet.
Reposted by Thomas Ableman
The Telegraph’s political editor is saying, more subtly, what others are saying brutally.
January 27, 2026 at 12:55 PM
The Telegraph’s political editor is saying, more subtly, what others are saying brutally.
Reposted by Thomas Ableman
Can anyone who understands this stuff explain it to me? How does capping ground rents help if service charges are uncapped? Won't landlords just move the increase from one to the other?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Ground rents to be capped at £250 a year for leaseholders
The reforms for England and Wales will be published in a draft bill, which will be introduced later.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 27, 2026 at 8:58 AM
Can anyone who understands this stuff explain it to me? How does capping ground rents help if service charges are uncapped? Won't landlords just move the increase from one to the other?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Thomas Ableman
This is very good: it sums up the problems the UK has with planning: too much focused on the minute details of housing (like door colour), not enough on are we planning joined up communities.
And this also is why a lot of people become NIMBYs
And this also is why a lot of people become NIMBYs
We make the right decisions in the wrong order.
UK transport tends to do this: Project → Timetable → Place.
We start with infrastructure (usually to solve a capacity problem), then work out a timetable, and only then notice what it’s done to the place.
Today's post explains why we should reverse.
UK transport tends to do this: Project → Timetable → Place.
We start with infrastructure (usually to solve a capacity problem), then work out a timetable, and only then notice what it’s done to the place.
Today's post explains why we should reverse.
Place, Timetable, Project - not the other way round — Freewheeling
We plan transport by starting with a project, then writing a timetable and finally (if at all) considering the place being served. To get better outcomes, we need to reverse it.
www.freewheeling.info
January 26, 2026 at 9:11 AM
This is very good: it sums up the problems the UK has with planning: too much focused on the minute details of housing (like door colour), not enough on are we planning joined up communities.
And this also is why a lot of people become NIMBYs
And this also is why a lot of people become NIMBYs
Reposted by Thomas Ableman
For people like me, we look at Alex Pretti and think 'that could have been me'.
The US government could summarily execute me on the street for speaking out against them and excuse it by calling me a "domestic terrorist"
So when most European governments call this regime their ally, it is chilling.
The US government could summarily execute me on the street for speaking out against them and excuse it by calling me a "domestic terrorist"
So when most European governments call this regime their ally, it is chilling.
January 26, 2026 at 8:56 AM
For people like me, we look at Alex Pretti and think 'that could have been me'.
The US government could summarily execute me on the street for speaking out against them and excuse it by calling me a "domestic terrorist"
So when most European governments call this regime their ally, it is chilling.
The US government could summarily execute me on the street for speaking out against them and excuse it by calling me a "domestic terrorist"
So when most European governments call this regime their ally, it is chilling.
We make the right decisions in the wrong order.
UK transport tends to do this: Project → Timetable → Place.
We start with infrastructure (usually to solve a capacity problem), then work out a timetable, and only then notice what it’s done to the place.
Today's post explains why we should reverse.
UK transport tends to do this: Project → Timetable → Place.
We start with infrastructure (usually to solve a capacity problem), then work out a timetable, and only then notice what it’s done to the place.
Today's post explains why we should reverse.
Place, Timetable, Project - not the other way round — Freewheeling
We plan transport by starting with a project, then writing a timetable and finally (if at all) considering the place being served. To get better outcomes, we need to reverse it.
www.freewheeling.info
January 26, 2026 at 8:37 AM
We make the right decisions in the wrong order.
UK transport tends to do this: Project → Timetable → Place.
We start with infrastructure (usually to solve a capacity problem), then work out a timetable, and only then notice what it’s done to the place.
Today's post explains why we should reverse.
UK transport tends to do this: Project → Timetable → Place.
We start with infrastructure (usually to solve a capacity problem), then work out a timetable, and only then notice what it’s done to the place.
Today's post explains why we should reverse.
Sadly, the next day, nothing is improved:
"The facts around the incident - the second fatal shooting by agents of a US citizen in recent weeks - have been hotly contested"
This is true. But the story for the BBC is that the truth is clear and the US Government is choosing to lie. That's the news.
"The facts around the incident - the second fatal shooting by agents of a US citizen in recent weeks - have been hotly contested"
This is true. But the story for the BBC is that the truth is clear and the US Government is choosing to lie. That's the news.
This "conflicting accounts" narrative of the BBC's is a much bigger problem than they seem to think.
The huge issue is not false balance - it's that they're NOT reporting the biggest story of today: the fact the US Government is lying about its own forces killing a US citizen.
The huge issue is not false balance - it's that they're NOT reporting the biggest story of today: the fact the US Government is lying about its own forces killing a US citizen.
January 26, 2026 at 8:32 AM
Sadly, the next day, nothing is improved:
"The facts around the incident - the second fatal shooting by agents of a US citizen in recent weeks - have been hotly contested"
This is true. But the story for the BBC is that the truth is clear and the US Government is choosing to lie. That's the news.
"The facts around the incident - the second fatal shooting by agents of a US citizen in recent weeks - have been hotly contested"
This is true. But the story for the BBC is that the truth is clear and the US Government is choosing to lie. That's the news.
A History of Europe in 75 Train Journeys is a six year project.
Two more hours to subscribe on the very first day!
Two more hours to subscribe on the very first day!
Journey 1: Paris to Rome
Chapter 55: The Night Train to a New Europe
open.substack.com
January 25, 2026 at 9:49 PM
A History of Europe in 75 Train Journeys is a six year project.
Two more hours to subscribe on the very first day!
Two more hours to subscribe on the very first day!
The BBC doesn’t have the same style guide as @theeconomistnews.bsky.social but it should be reporting the same facts. There may be conflicting accounts but, as @dlknowles.bsky.social reports, there is also truth.
We turn to the BBC for truth - it needs to provide it.
We turn to the BBC for truth - it needs to provide it.
I am heading back to Minneapolis tomorrow morning to work on a more on-the-ground reported piece for the weekly edition, but this was my piece from yesterday
The Economist coverage is grim but this is exactly how it should be reported.
economist.com/united-state...
economist.com/united-state...
January 25, 2026 at 7:35 PM
The BBC doesn’t have the same style guide as @theeconomistnews.bsky.social but it should be reporting the same facts. There may be conflicting accounts but, as @dlknowles.bsky.social reports, there is also truth.
We turn to the BBC for truth - it needs to provide it.
We turn to the BBC for truth - it needs to provide it.
This is the story of my first-ever European train ride with the girlfriend who subsequently became my wife. It is the story of a late, smoky, crowded, sticky night train to Rome. It is also the glorious story of integration that culminated in the Treaty of Rome.
open.substack.com/pub/historyo...?
open.substack.com/pub/historyo...?
Journey 1: Paris to Rome
Chapter 55: The Night Train to a New Europe
open.substack.com
January 25, 2026 at 5:30 PM
This is the story of my first-ever European train ride with the girlfriend who subsequently became my wife. It is the story of a late, smoky, crowded, sticky night train to Rome. It is also the glorious story of integration that culminated in the Treaty of Rome.
open.substack.com/pub/historyo...?
open.substack.com/pub/historyo...?
Reposted by Thomas Ableman
Strongly encourage people to take the time to click this link and jump through the hoops - they make it annoying and demand a strange amount of personal details, but a flood of complaints will actually shake them:
www.bbc.co.uk/contact/comp...
www.bbc.co.uk/contact/comp...
Complaints | Contact the BBC
These pages have information about how to complain to the BBC, with links to the BBC’s Complaints Framework, the BBC’s regulator Ofcom and regular reports about complaints. If you would like to unders...
www.bbc.co.uk
January 25, 2026 at 5:25 PM
Strongly encourage people to take the time to click this link and jump through the hoops - they make it annoying and demand a strange amount of personal details, but a flood of complaints will actually shake them:
www.bbc.co.uk/contact/comp...
www.bbc.co.uk/contact/comp...
Retreat from the horrors of the world with this description of a sticky, smoky couchette train ride from the early noughties.
It's the very first of 75 train rides that will - by 2032! - form the entirety of a History of Europe in 75 Train Journeys.
It's the very first of 75 train rides that will - by 2032! - form the entirety of a History of Europe in 75 Train Journeys.
Journey 1: Paris to Rome
Chapter 55: The Night Train to a New Europe
historyofeuropein75trainjourneys.substack.com
January 25, 2026 at 5:15 PM
Retreat from the horrors of the world with this description of a sticky, smoky couchette train ride from the early noughties.
It's the very first of 75 train rides that will - by 2032! - form the entirety of a History of Europe in 75 Train Journeys.
It's the very first of 75 train rides that will - by 2032! - form the entirety of a History of Europe in 75 Train Journeys.
This "conflicting accounts" narrative of the BBC's is a much bigger problem than they seem to think.
The huge issue is not false balance - it's that they're NOT reporting the biggest story of today: the fact the US Government is lying about its own forces killing a US citizen.
The huge issue is not false balance - it's that they're NOT reporting the biggest story of today: the fact the US Government is lying about its own forces killing a US citizen.
January 25, 2026 at 3:52 PM
This "conflicting accounts" narrative of the BBC's is a much bigger problem than they seem to think.
The huge issue is not false balance - it's that they're NOT reporting the biggest story of today: the fact the US Government is lying about its own forces killing a US citizen.
The huge issue is not false balance - it's that they're NOT reporting the biggest story of today: the fact the US Government is lying about its own forces killing a US citizen.
You like history, right?
You like trains, right?
So you're gonna end up subscribing to a History of Europe in 75 Train Journeys eventually.
Do it today, and you'll be in on the very first day of the entire six-year journey...
open.substack.com/pub/historyo...?
You like trains, right?
So you're gonna end up subscribing to a History of Europe in 75 Train Journeys eventually.
Do it today, and you'll be in on the very first day of the entire six-year journey...
open.substack.com/pub/historyo...?
Journey 1: Paris to Rome
Chapter 55: The Night Train to a New Europe
open.substack.com
January 25, 2026 at 12:41 PM
You like history, right?
You like trains, right?
So you're gonna end up subscribing to a History of Europe in 75 Train Journeys eventually.
Do it today, and you'll be in on the very first day of the entire six-year journey...
open.substack.com/pub/historyo...?
You like trains, right?
So you're gonna end up subscribing to a History of Europe in 75 Train Journeys eventually.
Do it today, and you'll be in on the very first day of the entire six-year journey...
open.substack.com/pub/historyo...?
Wahey! Today's the day! It's time to set off across Europe together.
Today's the first in a six-year project to build a history of Europe through train journeys.
One journey on the 25th of each month, ending on 25th March 2032: the 75th anniversary of the EU.
open.substack.com/pub/historyo...?
Today's the first in a six-year project to build a history of Europe through train journeys.
One journey on the 25th of each month, ending on 25th March 2032: the 75th anniversary of the EU.
open.substack.com/pub/historyo...?
Journey 1: Paris to Rome
Chapter 55: The Night Train to a New Europe
open.substack.com
January 25, 2026 at 10:41 AM
Wahey! Today's the day! It's time to set off across Europe together.
Today's the first in a six-year project to build a history of Europe through train journeys.
One journey on the 25th of each month, ending on 25th March 2032: the 75th anniversary of the EU.
open.substack.com/pub/historyo...?
Today's the first in a six-year project to build a history of Europe through train journeys.
One journey on the 25th of each month, ending on 25th March 2032: the 75th anniversary of the EU.
open.substack.com/pub/historyo...?
Reposted by Thomas Ableman
Entries are absurdly unbalanced, to favour US govt false statements, in a scenario where "sharply contested" both sides reporting would be highly inadequate
BBC are here being a real time conduit of the misinformation that they say their mission is to verify+counter
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cj...
BBC are here being a real time conduit of the misinformation that they say their mission is to verify+counter
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cj...
Minneapolis live: Man, 37, shot dead by federal agents in Minneapolis
The shooting follows days of protests in the city over the Trump administration's immigration enforcement operation.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 24, 2026 at 11:05 PM
Entries are absurdly unbalanced, to favour US govt false statements, in a scenario where "sharply contested" both sides reporting would be highly inadequate
BBC are here being a real time conduit of the misinformation that they say their mission is to verify+counter
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cj...
BBC are here being a real time conduit of the misinformation that they say their mission is to verify+counter
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cj...
Reposted by Thomas Ableman
Has the BBC ever done a ’stress test’ of its both sides model?
An example stress test would be reporting on events in Germany in 1933 (or similar) as if they were contemporary domestic events.
I’m guessing they haven’t, because the BBC would fail such a test.
An example stress test would be reporting on events in Germany in 1933 (or similar) as if they were contemporary domestic events.
I’m guessing they haven’t, because the BBC would fail such a test.
How on earth can the BBC still be relaying this demonstrably untrue information into its reporting at 942pm, without even "balancing" the false account, when they have the video footage & the analysis of it
January 25, 2026 at 8:39 AM
Has the BBC ever done a ’stress test’ of its both sides model?
An example stress test would be reporting on events in Germany in 1933 (or similar) as if they were contemporary domestic events.
I’m guessing they haven’t, because the BBC would fail such a test.
An example stress test would be reporting on events in Germany in 1933 (or similar) as if they were contemporary domestic events.
I’m guessing they haven’t, because the BBC would fail such a test.
Reposted by Thomas Ableman
“Transport schemes are designed by transport people for transport objectives (typically capacity or journey times) as opposed to for human objectives.”
Great post on why land use planning has to precede transport planning, instead of being a consequence of the transport planners’ projections #dktrp
Great post on why land use planning has to precede transport planning, instead of being a consequence of the transport planners’ projections #dktrp
Since the end of the Second World War, much of the railway, all of the trams and some of our bus service has been closed down.
This is largely a result of cars but also the way we thought about transport in the 20th century.
www.freewheeling.info/blog/time-to...
This is largely a result of cars but also the way we thought about transport in the 20th century.
www.freewheeling.info/blog/time-to...
20th Century Transport Planning Failed. It’s Time To Do Something Different — Freewheeling
20th century transport planning left us with a worse public transport network than we started with. That’s true in many countries, but it’s now time to change how we plan.
www.freewheeling.info
January 25, 2026 at 7:24 AM
“Transport schemes are designed by transport people for transport objectives (typically capacity or journey times) as opposed to for human objectives.”
Great post on why land use planning has to precede transport planning, instead of being a consequence of the transport planners’ projections #dktrp
Great post on why land use planning has to precede transport planning, instead of being a consequence of the transport planners’ projections #dktrp
Why so specific that I have to start A History of Europe in 75 Train Journeys tomorrow?
It's because of what's happening on the 25th March 2032.
A post monthly from tomorrow will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the EU on that very date.
It's because of what's happening on the 25th March 2032.
A post monthly from tomorrow will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the EU on that very date.
About - A History of Europe in 75 Train Journeys
Riding the rails through 1,000 years of European history. Click to read A History of Europe in 75 Train Journeys, by Thomas Ableman, a Substack publication with hundreds of subscribers.
historyofeuropein75trainjourneys.substack.com
January 24, 2026 at 3:15 PM
Why so specific that I have to start A History of Europe in 75 Train Journeys tomorrow?
It's because of what's happening on the 25th March 2032.
A post monthly from tomorrow will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the EU on that very date.
It's because of what's happening on the 25th March 2032.
A post monthly from tomorrow will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the EU on that very date.
Reposted by Thomas Ableman
The best candidates should get the best jobs in politics - that is what having an open, democratic, meritocratic political culture looks like.
That’s why I believe that if Andy Burnham wants to stand in Gorton and Denton, he should be allowed to.
#UKLabour
That’s why I believe that if Andy Burnham wants to stand in Gorton and Denton, he should be allowed to.
#UKLabour
January 24, 2026 at 11:25 AM
The best candidates should get the best jobs in politics - that is what having an open, democratic, meritocratic political culture looks like.
That’s why I believe that if Andy Burnham wants to stand in Gorton and Denton, he should be allowed to.
#UKLabour
That’s why I believe that if Andy Burnham wants to stand in Gorton and Denton, he should be allowed to.
#UKLabour
Tomorrow I’m making the biggest commitment I’ve ever made.
OK, not as big as getting married, but bigger than anything else, including any job I’ve ever done.
I’m starting a project that I have to keep going for 6 years - every single month.
OK, not as big as getting married, but bigger than anything else, including any job I’ve ever done.
I’m starting a project that I have to keep going for 6 years - every single month.
About - A History of Europe in 75 Train Journeys
Riding the rails through 1,000 years of European history. Click to read A History of Europe in 75 Train Journeys, by Thomas Ableman, a Substack publication with hundreds of subscribers.
historyofeuropein75trainjourneys.substack.com
January 24, 2026 at 10:41 AM
Tomorrow I’m making the biggest commitment I’ve ever made.
OK, not as big as getting married, but bigger than anything else, including any job I’ve ever done.
I’m starting a project that I have to keep going for 6 years - every single month.
OK, not as big as getting married, but bigger than anything else, including any job I’ve ever done.
I’m starting a project that I have to keep going for 6 years - every single month.
Reposted by Thomas Ableman
Absolutely!! I was speechless when I heard the interview! Why hasn’t this been picked up more @bbcpm.bsky.social??
January 23, 2026 at 7:59 PM
Absolutely!! I was speechless when I heard the interview! Why hasn’t this been picked up more @bbcpm.bsky.social??
00:19:26 - James Cleverly saying “very, very few” people in Braintree don’t have a car.
He adds that if you don’t have a car “you are screwed”.
In fact, 13.7% of households in his constituency don’t have a car. Thanks to his party’s lack of support for public transport, they are screwed.
He adds that if you don’t have a car “you are screwed”.
In fact, 13.7% of households in his constituency don’t have a car. Thanks to his party’s lack of support for public transport, they are screwed.
PM - Starmer: Trump's Afghan war comments 'insulting' - BBC Sounds
The PM is 'appalled' by the president's claim Nato troops weren't on the front line.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 23, 2026 at 6:51 PM
00:19:26 - James Cleverly saying “very, very few” people in Braintree don’t have a car.
He adds that if you don’t have a car “you are screwed”.
In fact, 13.7% of households in his constituency don’t have a car. Thanks to his party’s lack of support for public transport, they are screwed.
He adds that if you don’t have a car “you are screwed”.
In fact, 13.7% of households in his constituency don’t have a car. Thanks to his party’s lack of support for public transport, they are screwed.