Andy Bye
@indiephonics.bsky.social
Father of 2 awesome children. I love music, reading, and DIY. I'm a brand new commercial train guard and enjoying the adventure.
Siemens Desiro, Class 444s. Unit 444019 'Pride Train', waiting to lead out, unit 444040 'The D-Day Story'; both joined to make a 10 car train.
While waiting for my next working, @ London Waterloo, Tuesday evening. (I'm glad mine hadn't appeared yet; it was meant to be in that empty platform space).
While waiting for my next working, @ London Waterloo, Tuesday evening. (I'm glad mine hadn't appeared yet; it was meant to be in that empty platform space).
August 29, 2025 at 8:40 PM
Siemens Desiro, Class 444s. Unit 444019 'Pride Train', waiting to lead out, unit 444040 'The D-Day Story'; both joined to make a 10 car train.
While waiting for my next working, @ London Waterloo, Tuesday evening. (I'm glad mine hadn't appeared yet; it was meant to be in that empty platform space).
While waiting for my next working, @ London Waterloo, Tuesday evening. (I'm glad mine hadn't appeared yet; it was meant to be in that empty platform space).
And passing through Basingstoke station.
May 15, 2025 at 9:33 AM
And passing through Basingstoke station.
Class 69, 69007 - 'Richard Travethick'. GBRF, BR blue livery. Passing through Woking station. Yesterday 14/05/2025. She held up my Pass train to Basingstoke and my working train at Basingstoke. 🤣
May 15, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Class 69, 69007 - 'Richard Travethick'. GBRF, BR blue livery. Passing through Woking station. Yesterday 14/05/2025. She held up my Pass train to Basingstoke and my working train at Basingstoke. 🤣
Alton's always a good place on a turnaround, but today was even more exceptional.
Merchant Navy class, 'Canadian Pacific' 35005,was out and about on the Watercress Line. 😀
And then I went back to reality in a Desiro. 🤣
Merchant Navy class, 'Canadian Pacific' 35005,was out and about on the Watercress Line. 😀
And then I went back to reality in a Desiro. 🤣
May 1, 2025 at 10:04 PM
Alton's always a good place on a turnaround, but today was even more exceptional.
Merchant Navy class, 'Canadian Pacific' 35005,was out and about on the Watercress Line. 😀
And then I went back to reality in a Desiro. 🤣
Merchant Navy class, 'Canadian Pacific' 35005,was out and about on the Watercress Line. 😀
And then I went back to reality in a Desiro. 🤣
The end of my 1st day independent working.
(I was cover yesterday and saw no train action).
455707, which was coupled to 455703. (My 1st independent job). Woking to Waterloo.
450010 & 450074, my middle job. Waterloo to Haslemere, then back to Guildford as empties.
450010. Guildford to Farnham.
(I was cover yesterday and saw no train action).
455707, which was coupled to 455703. (My 1st independent job). Woking to Waterloo.
450010 & 450074, my middle job. Waterloo to Haslemere, then back to Guildford as empties.
450010. Guildford to Farnham.
April 29, 2025 at 1:34 AM
The end of my 1st day independent working.
(I was cover yesterday and saw no train action).
455707, which was coupled to 455703. (My 1st independent job). Woking to Waterloo.
450010 & 450074, my middle job. Waterloo to Haslemere, then back to Guildford as empties.
450010. Guildford to Farnham.
(I was cover yesterday and saw no train action).
455707, which was coupled to 455703. (My 1st independent job). Woking to Waterloo.
450010 & 450074, my middle job. Waterloo to Haslemere, then back to Guildford as empties.
450010. Guildford to Farnham.
Two of my hero locos. GB Railfreight, Class 73s, 73962 'Dick Mabutt' & 73963 'Janice'.
Woking UP Yard.
Bad pictures, through the passenger window of a Desiro, whilst going over the top of Woking Junction.
Woking UP Yard.
Bad pictures, through the passenger window of a Desiro, whilst going over the top of Woking Junction.
April 15, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Two of my hero locos. GB Railfreight, Class 73s, 73962 'Dick Mabutt' & 73963 'Janice'.
Woking UP Yard.
Bad pictures, through the passenger window of a Desiro, whilst going over the top of Woking Junction.
Woking UP Yard.
Bad pictures, through the passenger window of a Desiro, whilst going over the top of Woking Junction.
This week has mostly been 455s. 455731 being the unit where the photos of the other 2 were taken and also 1 of my assessment units.
455862 would have been going UP on the Chessington branch - right at Effingham Jn, where my depot sadly doesn't do.
'New Guildford Line'.
I'm back onto Desiros now.
455862 would have been going UP on the Chessington branch - right at Effingham Jn, where my depot sadly doesn't do.
'New Guildford Line'.
I'm back onto Desiros now.
April 11, 2025 at 10:38 PM
This week has mostly been 455s. 455731 being the unit where the photos of the other 2 were taken and also 1 of my assessment units.
455862 would have been going UP on the Chessington branch - right at Effingham Jn, where my depot sadly doesn't do.
'New Guildford Line'.
I'm back onto Desiros now.
455862 would have been going UP on the Chessington branch - right at Effingham Jn, where my depot sadly doesn't do.
'New Guildford Line'.
I'm back onto Desiros now.
Here's a blast from the past: Aldershot 2017. Class 456s.
Last of the South West Trains days & before the Desiros came to town in abundance & so full on.
Google photos, just reminded me. 456008 & 456019. 24 built & scrapped.
(Until my current employment, I don't have many train pics).
Last of the South West Trains days & before the Desiros came to town in abundance & so full on.
Google photos, just reminded me. 456008 & 456019. 24 built & scrapped.
(Until my current employment, I don't have many train pics).
April 10, 2025 at 9:59 PM
Here's a blast from the past: Aldershot 2017. Class 456s.
Last of the South West Trains days & before the Desiros came to town in abundance & so full on.
Google photos, just reminded me. 456008 & 456019. 24 built & scrapped.
(Until my current employment, I don't have many train pics).
Last of the South West Trains days & before the Desiros came to town in abundance & so full on.
Google photos, just reminded me. 456008 & 456019. 24 built & scrapped.
(Until my current employment, I don't have many train pics).
There she went, at 09:40 on the dot: 2Z34. Class 37, 37418 - 'An Comunn Gaidhealach', with 'Caroline', the observation car. Departing from Guildford station today, heading to Derby.
(Thank you for having a meeting at that exact time, Guards Managers). 🤣
(Thank you for having a meeting at that exact time, Guards Managers). 🤣
April 9, 2025 at 4:42 PM
There she went, at 09:40 on the dot: 2Z34. Class 37, 37418 - 'An Comunn Gaidhealach', with 'Caroline', the observation car. Departing from Guildford station today, heading to Derby.
(Thank you for having a meeting at that exact time, Guards Managers). 🤣
(Thank you for having a meeting at that exact time, Guards Managers). 🤣
Upon my arrival for work at Guildford today. 2Z34 - 09:40, pre-departure: Class 37, 37418 - 'An Comunn Gaidhealach', with 'Caroline', the observation car.
April 9, 2025 at 7:59 AM
Upon my arrival for work at Guildford today. 2Z34 - 09:40, pre-departure: Class 37, 37418 - 'An Comunn Gaidhealach', with 'Caroline', the observation car.
Name the band... (If you know, you know).
March 28, 2025 at 9:37 PM
Name the band... (If you know, you know).
I'm really enjoying learning this route. Staines to Reading. So much variety the Reading end too.
GWR, CrossCountry, Elizabeth Line and SWR.
Of course our SWR, Siemens Desiro Class 450, being the greatest thing there today. 😉
I've probably got about 17 days left of route learning left now.
GWR, CrossCountry, Elizabeth Line and SWR.
Of course our SWR, Siemens Desiro Class 450, being the greatest thing there today. 😉
I've probably got about 17 days left of route learning left now.
March 26, 2025 at 9:58 PM
I'm really enjoying learning this route. Staines to Reading. So much variety the Reading end too.
GWR, CrossCountry, Elizabeth Line and SWR.
Of course our SWR, Siemens Desiro Class 450, being the greatest thing there today. 😉
I've probably got about 17 days left of route learning left now.
GWR, CrossCountry, Elizabeth Line and SWR.
Of course our SWR, Siemens Desiro Class 450, being the greatest thing there today. 😉
I've probably got about 17 days left of route learning left now.
Hello 455868 'Golden Spanners', we meet again. It would have been rude not to have been provided with her for Woking to Clapham route learning. 😉
I'm gutted, I had to get a different train from Surbiton, and I'm also gutted that my depot doesn't do to Hampton Court station itself, coming back down.
I'm gutted, I had to get a different train from Surbiton, and I'm also gutted that my depot doesn't do to Hampton Court station itself, coming back down.
February 28, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Hello 455868 'Golden Spanners', we meet again. It would have been rude not to have been provided with her for Woking to Clapham route learning. 😉
I'm gutted, I had to get a different train from Surbiton, and I'm also gutted that my depot doesn't do to Hampton Court station itself, coming back down.
I'm gutted, I had to get a different train from Surbiton, and I'm also gutted that my depot doesn't do to Hampton Court station itself, coming back down.
Desiro, Class 444 444040, 'The D-Day Story' @Alton, this morning. 1A11, Plt 1.
I felt very honoured to have her for a route learning trip, even if she was only operating as a single 5 car unit. (One normally expects a 10 car 444, or 12 car 450).
The Waterloo guard was a very nice chap, too. 😀
I felt very honoured to have her for a route learning trip, even if she was only operating as a single 5 car unit. (One normally expects a 10 car 444, or 12 car 450).
The Waterloo guard was a very nice chap, too. 😀
February 24, 2025 at 10:16 PM
Desiro, Class 444 444040, 'The D-Day Story' @Alton, this morning. 1A11, Plt 1.
I felt very honoured to have her for a route learning trip, even if she was only operating as a single 5 car unit. (One normally expects a 10 car 444, or 12 car 450).
The Waterloo guard was a very nice chap, too. 😀
I felt very honoured to have her for a route learning trip, even if she was only operating as a single 5 car unit. (One normally expects a 10 car 444, or 12 car 450).
The Waterloo guard was a very nice chap, too. 😀
Class 59, Hanson livery: Westbury Tarmac to Woking UP yard reception. 6O02 to eventually reach Day Aggregates. I didn't catch her info, but if I had to guess, it would be 59103 Village Of Mells.
I was only there for the signals and junctions, but when in Woking and in the presence of a Class 59....
I was only there for the signals and junctions, but when in Woking and in the presence of a Class 59....
February 21, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Class 59, Hanson livery: Westbury Tarmac to Woking UP yard reception. 6O02 to eventually reach Day Aggregates. I didn't catch her info, but if I had to guess, it would be 59103 Village Of Mells.
I was only there for the signals and junctions, but when in Woking and in the presence of a Class 59....
I was only there for the signals and junctions, but when in Woking and in the presence of a Class 59....
It'll probably be the 1st, last & only time I ever get to work on a Class 159. Grabbed that opportunity with both hands today.
"Ticket Tuesday" on the commercial course.
1L29 159107, led 159020 from Waterloo to Basingstoke, it went on to Exeter St Davids. A Salisbury guard did the traction.
"Ticket Tuesday" on the commercial course.
1L29 159107, led 159020 from Waterloo to Basingstoke, it went on to Exeter St Davids. A Salisbury guard did the traction.
February 11, 2025 at 4:29 PM
It'll probably be the 1st, last & only time I ever get to work on a Class 159. Grabbed that opportunity with both hands today.
"Ticket Tuesday" on the commercial course.
1L29 159107, led 159020 from Waterloo to Basingstoke, it went on to Exeter St Davids. A Salisbury guard did the traction.
"Ticket Tuesday" on the commercial course.
1L29 159107, led 159020 from Waterloo to Basingstoke, it went on to Exeter St Davids. A Salisbury guard did the traction.
Ah, thank you so much; that's a relief. 😀 I wasn't quite sure which one this was, as I only ever saw her from the side. I had a nasty feeling this was 458533 in Wimbledon (pic from Wimbledon last Thursday); every shoe was tied up.
458533 must live still then, too, (haven't seen her since December).
458533 must live still then, too, (haven't seen her since December).
January 29, 2025 at 7:28 AM
Ah, thank you so much; that's a relief. 😀 I wasn't quite sure which one this was, as I only ever saw her from the side. I had a nasty feeling this was 458533 in Wimbledon (pic from Wimbledon last Thursday); every shoe was tied up.
458533 must live still then, too, (haven't seen her since December).
458533 must live still then, too, (haven't seen her since December).
This is inside the coach that makes these 458/5s different from the 458/4s, btw. (Other than the 458/4s all being refurbished and painted, of course).
Acquired from the Gatwick Express Class 460s & resulting in my childhood 'heroes' being scrapped. (The Class 442 5WES fleet). Hasn't biased me. 🤣
Acquired from the Gatwick Express Class 460s & resulting in my childhood 'heroes' being scrapped. (The Class 442 5WES fleet). Hasn't biased me. 🤣
January 29, 2025 at 12:14 AM
This is inside the coach that makes these 458/5s different from the 458/4s, btw. (Other than the 458/4s all being refurbished and painted, of course).
Acquired from the Gatwick Express Class 460s & resulting in my childhood 'heroes' being scrapped. (The Class 442 5WES fleet). Hasn't biased me. 🤣
Acquired from the Gatwick Express Class 460s & resulting in my childhood 'heroes' being scrapped. (The Class 442 5WES fleet). Hasn't biased me. 🤣
Last day of 458/5 traction training today.
Different day, different units. 458530 & 458536 today.
Still only my 4th fave traction (that I'm trained on), but they've grown-ish on me.
I have actually seen all 5, 5 car units now. 458533, shoes sadly tied up (probably for good, at last sight).
Different day, different units. 458530 & 458536 today.
Still only my 4th fave traction (that I'm trained on), but they've grown-ish on me.
I have actually seen all 5, 5 car units now. 458533, shoes sadly tied up (probably for good, at last sight).
January 28, 2025 at 4:18 PM
Last day of 458/5 traction training today.
Different day, different units. 458530 & 458536 today.
Still only my 4th fave traction (that I'm trained on), but they've grown-ish on me.
I have actually seen all 5, 5 car units now. 458533, shoes sadly tied up (probably for good, at last sight).
Different day, different units. 458530 & 458536 today.
Still only my 4th fave traction (that I'm trained on), but they've grown-ish on me.
I have actually seen all 5, 5 car units now. 458533, shoes sadly tied up (probably for good, at last sight).
Today's traction training units. Juniper Class 458, 458529 & 458535. 1 of only 2 pairs left. These will never be made into 458/4s.
The wheelchair ramp is easy. That's about the only thing they have going for them, from a guards point of view. I'd rather take the Class 455 455591 next to it.
The wheelchair ramp is easy. That's about the only thing they have going for them, from a guards point of view. I'd rather take the Class 455 455591 next to it.
January 27, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Today's traction training units. Juniper Class 458, 458529 & 458535. 1 of only 2 pairs left. These will never be made into 458/4s.
The wheelchair ramp is easy. That's about the only thing they have going for them, from a guards point of view. I'd rather take the Class 455 455591 next to it.
The wheelchair ramp is easy. That's about the only thing they have going for them, from a guards point of view. I'd rather take the Class 455 455591 next to it.
These were fun today. Class 455, traction training, working day 1. 2nd and 3rd working of the day. Pre-Woking to Waterloo. Shame that most signals were red going back up.
The Kingston Loop, 2O15, was fun until everything got so slippery under wheel & foot. Waterloo to Waterloo, 455915 & 455911
The Kingston Loop, 2O15, was fun until everything got so slippery under wheel & foot. Waterloo to Waterloo, 455915 & 455911
January 23, 2025 at 9:40 PM
These were fun today. Class 455, traction training, working day 1. 2nd and 3rd working of the day. Pre-Woking to Waterloo. Shame that most signals were red going back up.
The Kingston Loop, 2O15, was fun until everything got so slippery under wheel & foot. Waterloo to Waterloo, 455915 & 455911
The Kingston Loop, 2O15, was fun until everything got so slippery under wheel & foot. Waterloo to Waterloo, 455915 & 455911
Would you believe: During static, Class 455 training today and the whole time we were on ours, we had no idea she was behind us.
Class 455, 455868, "Golden Spanners". Wimbledon Depot, today.
Too close for a decent photo.
I think I'm going to enjoy working 455s over the next couple of days. 😀
Class 455, 455868, "Golden Spanners". Wimbledon Depot, today.
Too close for a decent photo.
I think I'm going to enjoy working 455s over the next couple of days. 😀
January 22, 2025 at 4:12 PM
Would you believe: During static, Class 455 training today and the whole time we were on ours, we had no idea she was behind us.
Class 455, 455868, "Golden Spanners". Wimbledon Depot, today.
Too close for a decent photo.
I think I'm going to enjoy working 455s over the next couple of days. 😀
Class 455, 455868, "Golden Spanners". Wimbledon Depot, today.
Too close for a decent photo.
I think I'm going to enjoy working 455s over the next couple of days. 😀
Freightliner, Class 59, 59102 - 'Village of Chantry'. Woking, Day Aggregates yard, Wednesday of this week. Massively zoomed in shots from Woking platfom 5, apologies. Hope to one day be actually near her. Loving their massive use of 59s recently.
January 12, 2025 at 6:17 PM
Freightliner, Class 59, 59102 - 'Village of Chantry'. Woking, Day Aggregates yard, Wednesday of this week. Massively zoomed in shots from Woking platfom 5, apologies. Hope to one day be actually near her. Loving their massive use of 59s recently.
Desiro Class 450, 450059, joined to units: 450043 White Ribbon livery & 450066 White Ribbon livery, as a 12 car. And a viewpoint, I hope no one ever sees in real life. (It wouldn't be in a convenient siding; it'd most likely be in a tunnel & on fire.)
Basingstoke, Barton Mill sidings earlier today.
Basingstoke, Barton Mill sidings earlier today.
January 10, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Desiro Class 450, 450059, joined to units: 450043 White Ribbon livery & 450066 White Ribbon livery, as a 12 car. And a viewpoint, I hope no one ever sees in real life. (It wouldn't be in a convenient siding; it'd most likely be in a tunnel & on fire.)
Basingstoke, Barton Mill sidings earlier today.
Basingstoke, Barton Mill sidings earlier today.
So long, old friend. Taken away as a Cat B today. Owned since I was 20; when she was 9 mths old, on 3.4k miles & Vauxhall owned.
She was parked, hit by a neighbour's parked car, which was hit by a moving car. 3 write-offs & 0 injuries.
She was 1/3 of the last 2.2ltr, UK Astras & 21.75 years old.
She was parked, hit by a neighbour's parked car, which was hit by a moving car. 3 write-offs & 0 injuries.
She was 1/3 of the last 2.2ltr, UK Astras & 21.75 years old.
December 31, 2024 at 12:27 AM
So long, old friend. Taken away as a Cat B today. Owned since I was 20; when she was 9 mths old, on 3.4k miles & Vauxhall owned.
She was parked, hit by a neighbour's parked car, which was hit by a moving car. 3 write-offs & 0 injuries.
She was 1/3 of the last 2.2ltr, UK Astras & 21.75 years old.
She was parked, hit by a neighbour's parked car, which was hit by a moving car. 3 write-offs & 0 injuries.
She was 1/3 of the last 2.2ltr, UK Astras & 21.75 years old.