Shel
@shellienic.bsky.social
Train Driver. Mum of 2. Cat Lover. Lego Builder. Growing Up is Overrated. Love to travel. My own opinions, not reflective of my employer. Photos taken safely.
The start of my temporary commute to #Stafford. The red hazy mist over the spires of @lichfieldcathedral.bsky.social and the sun just rising in my local park. Followed by a very frosty but sunny #VictoriaPark
November 26, 2025 at 9:55 AM
The start of my temporary commute to #Stafford. The red hazy mist over the spires of @lichfieldcathedral.bsky.social and the sun just rising in my local park. Followed by a very frosty but sunny #VictoriaPark
I am a bit of a sucker for sunrises & sunsets… especially when combined with water.
#Sunrise #Environment #GoodMorning
#Sunrise #Environment #GoodMorning
November 24, 2025 at 9:22 AM
I am a bit of a sucker for sunrises & sunsets… especially when combined with water.
#Sunrise #Environment #GoodMorning
#Sunrise #Environment #GoodMorning
Saturdays shift began with a Wolves, followed by a coffee break then 2 trips to Redditch - absolute pea soup in places - some braking areas were educated guesses. Following my break I finished up with a Longbridge & Four Oaks - stabling the unit for the night. #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver
November 24, 2025 at 7:50 AM
Saturdays shift began with a Wolves, followed by a coffee break then 2 trips to Redditch - absolute pea soup in places - some braking areas were educated guesses. Following my break I finished up with a Longbridge & Four Oaks - stabling the unit for the night. #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver
Apologies for yesterday’s delayed post, I went to straight to bed when I got in!
I had a spare shift which was a relatively quiet one. I did have two trips up to Soho to fetch units off. There was a guest engine perched up there too! Wouldn’t mind a cab ride in a 37! #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver
I had a spare shift which was a relatively quiet one. I did have two trips up to Soho to fetch units off. There was a guest engine perched up there too! Wouldn’t mind a cab ride in a 37! #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver
November 18, 2025 at 8:19 AM
Apologies for yesterday’s delayed post, I went to straight to bed when I got in!
I had a spare shift which was a relatively quiet one. I did have two trips up to Soho to fetch units off. There was a guest engine perched up there too! Wouldn’t mind a cab ride in a 37! #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver
I had a spare shift which was a relatively quiet one. I did have two trips up to Soho to fetch units off. There was a guest engine perched up there too! Wouldn’t mind a cab ride in a 37! #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver
G’Morning! Happy Sabbath day! I’ve prepped 730023 & dropped her on to Soho Depot. I’ve got my own 6 car to take off (730001/018) shortly where I’ll do 3 trips to Bromsgrove spinning her wheels! It’s a nice sunny & mild morning, I’ve got my coffee…. let’s crack on! #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver
November 16, 2025 at 9:10 AM
G’Morning! Happy Sabbath day! I’ve prepped 730023 & dropped her on to Soho Depot. I’ve got my own 6 car to take off (730001/018) shortly where I’ll do 3 trips to Bromsgrove spinning her wheels! It’s a nice sunny & mild morning, I’ve got my coffee…. let’s crack on! #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver
I’m back after AL week & LWE off. I had the 9-6 job - beginning with B’ham Intl/Rugeley (very much in “Brian’s” company!), followed by Walsall & a Cross City round trip where some kids activated an egress & thus I got an emergency brake & alarm! Thus delaying the train. #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver
November 14, 2025 at 2:44 PM
I’m back after AL week & LWE off. I had the 9-6 job - beginning with B’ham Intl/Rugeley (very much in “Brian’s” company!), followed by Walsall & a Cross City round trip where some kids activated an egress & thus I got an emergency brake & alarm! Thus delaying the train. #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver
Yesterday I found myself back on the coast for a short while. And yes I had a little paddle in the sea. In November. Crazy how mild the weather is for a “ber” month. #OffDutyTrainDriver #Coast #Dawlish #Devon
November 13, 2025 at 9:54 AM
Yesterday I found myself back on the coast for a short while. And yes I had a little paddle in the sea. In November. Crazy how mild the weather is for a “ber” month. #OffDutyTrainDriver #Coast #Dawlish #Devon
As the time to head home has come, I decided to take a little walk to the River Exe this morning for some fresh air & leg stretch. A sunny & warm Exeter morning. I’m always sad to leave but I’ll be back! #OffDutyTrainDriver #Exeter #Devon #TrainTravel
November 8, 2025 at 12:18 PM
As the time to head home has come, I decided to take a little walk to the River Exe this morning for some fresh air & leg stretch. A sunny & warm Exeter morning. I’m always sad to leave but I’ll be back! #OffDutyTrainDriver #Exeter #Devon #TrainTravel
Exeter St Davids station by night is nicely illuminated. Red Cow level crossing with its attendants can be seen just in front of the platform. A cl800 GWR can be seen departing for Paddington. #ExeterStDavids #Exeter #Railway
November 8, 2025 at 12:11 PM
Exeter St Davids station by night is nicely illuminated. Red Cow level crossing with its attendants can be seen just in front of the platform. A cl800 GWR can be seen departing for Paddington. #ExeterStDavids #Exeter #Railway
/1 Yesterday, I went for lunch at one of my fave spots - The Anchor at #CockwoodHarbour - it’s a 20 min walk from Starcross. Despite the inclement weather I sat outside mostly but when the rain became Biblical I retreated inside to a cosy snug. The food & beer were excellent. #OffDutyTrainDriver
November 8, 2025 at 8:21 AM
/1 Yesterday, I went for lunch at one of my fave spots - The Anchor at #CockwoodHarbour - it’s a 20 min walk from Starcross. Despite the inclement weather I sat outside mostly but when the rain became Biblical I retreated inside to a cosy snug. The food & beer were excellent. #OffDutyTrainDriver
One of my happy places is the coast - so I have escaped to Devon for a couple of days. I will never tire of this view and listening to the sound of the sea. Coastal air is so uplifting.
#OffDutyTrainDriver #AnnualLeave #Dawlish #SeaAir #Seaside
#OffDutyTrainDriver #AnnualLeave #Dawlish #SeaAir #Seaside
November 6, 2025 at 3:50 PM
One of my happy places is the coast - so I have escaped to Devon for a couple of days. I will never tire of this view and listening to the sound of the sea. Coastal air is so uplifting.
#OffDutyTrainDriver #AnnualLeave #Dawlish #SeaAir #Seaside
#OffDutyTrainDriver #AnnualLeave #Dawlish #SeaAir #Seaside
The weekends shifts were reasonable. A ‘Red Leaf’ 🍁 day on Sat made for a rather slippy drive to Lichfield, however Walsall/Wolves wasn’t too bad. A Standby Sunday saw me cover parts of 2 Wolves depot jobs culminating in parking up at Wolves. I’m now on AL for a week. #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver
November 5, 2025 at 10:15 PM
The weekends shifts were reasonable. A ‘Red Leaf’ 🍁 day on Sat made for a rather slippy drive to Lichfield, however Walsall/Wolves wasn’t too bad. A Standby Sunday saw me cover parts of 2 Wolves depot jobs culminating in parking up at Wolves. I’m now on AL for a week. #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver
I left it a couple of days following the weekend to post the rest of my shifts last week. Fri began by fetching a 730 (3 car) from Soho Depot to B’ham. After grabbing a quick coffee I did a round trip Lich/Broms & after a break I was scheduled to do a Walsall/Wolves…
#DayInTheLife #TrainDriver
#DayInTheLife #TrainDriver
November 5, 2025 at 8:01 PM
I left it a couple of days following the weekend to post the rest of my shifts last week. Fri began by fetching a 730 (3 car) from Soho Depot to B’ham. After grabbing a quick coffee I did a round trip Lich/Broms & after a break I was scheduled to do a Walsall/Wolves…
#DayInTheLife #TrainDriver
#DayInTheLife #TrainDriver
Waking up to the news of the multiple stabbings on an #LNER train was shocking. My thoughts are with the train crew and those passengers injured & involved. No one should go to work & no one should travel on a train to then face this scenario.
#RailwayFamily
#RailwayFamily
November 2, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Waking up to the news of the multiple stabbings on an #LNER train was shocking. My thoughts are with the train crew and those passengers injured & involved. No one should go to work & no one should travel on a train to then face this scenario.
#RailwayFamily
#RailwayFamily
8 years ago, at 12.05, this boy was born, making me a Mum. As we celebrate your 8th birthday today, you make me very proud of the boy you have become with an amazing smile & so kind/caring. Let’s hope #Spurs win tonight #COYS Have an amazing birthday Baxter! #OffDutyTrainDriver #Mum #BirthdayBoy
October 29, 2025 at 12:12 PM
8 years ago, at 12.05, this boy was born, making me a Mum. As we celebrate your 8th birthday today, you make me very proud of the boy you have become with an amazing smile & so kind/caring. Let’s hope #Spurs win tonight #COYS Have an amazing birthday Baxter! #OffDutyTrainDriver #Mum #BirthdayBoy
Cheers to 2 more years! 🍻
I’m pleased to say I’ve passed my Rules/Routes & Traction knowledge 📝✅ and you’ll still find me driving trains 🚉 in the West Midlands 🛤️
Never something I take for granted & I keep on top of my rule book to make sure my knowledge stays current.
#DayInTheLife #TrainDriver
I’m pleased to say I’ve passed my Rules/Routes & Traction knowledge 📝✅ and you’ll still find me driving trains 🚉 in the West Midlands 🛤️
Never something I take for granted & I keep on top of my rule book to make sure my knowledge stays current.
#DayInTheLife #TrainDriver
October 28, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Cheers to 2 more years! 🍻
I’m pleased to say I’ve passed my Rules/Routes & Traction knowledge 📝✅ and you’ll still find me driving trains 🚉 in the West Midlands 🛤️
Never something I take for granted & I keep on top of my rule book to make sure my knowledge stays current.
#DayInTheLife #TrainDriver
I’m pleased to say I’ve passed my Rules/Routes & Traction knowledge 📝✅ and you’ll still find me driving trains 🚉 in the West Midlands 🛤️
Never something I take for granted & I keep on top of my rule book to make sure my knowledge stays current.
#DayInTheLife #TrainDriver
It’s that time again! Today & tomorrow I will be put through my paces to test my knowledge base on the Railway Rules & Regulations, Personal Track Safety (PTS) and my Route & Traction Knowledge. This will be done through both written & oral methods. #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver
October 27, 2025 at 7:03 AM
It’s that time again! Today & tomorrow I will be put through my paces to test my knowledge base on the Railway Rules & Regulations, Personal Track Safety (PTS) and my Route & Traction Knowledge. This will be done through both written & oral methods. #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver
And just like that it’s a wrap on cab experience 3wks for my trainee. There’s been a great insight into the role, we covered all routes, experienced disruption, depot & signaller comms. I’m very touched that he got me a card & gift - saying it’s been so inspiring for him. #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver
October 16, 2025 at 2:16 PM
And just like that it’s a wrap on cab experience 3wks for my trainee. There’s been a great insight into the role, we covered all routes, experienced disruption, depot & signaller comms. I’m very touched that he got me a card & gift - saying it’s been so inspiring for him. #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver
Morning! Sorry for the radio silence.. I’ve still been driving but my time has been dedicated to my trainee & ensuring he has the best possible cab learning experience. He finishes with me on Thurs & returns to the classroom next week. It’s been a pleasure to have him. #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver
October 15, 2025 at 9:14 AM
Morning! Sorry for the radio silence.. I’ve still been driving but my time has been dedicated to my trainee & ensuring he has the best possible cab learning experience. He finishes with me on Thurs & returns to the classroom next week. It’s been a pleasure to have him. #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver
What a difference a day makes! Same job as yesterday but it offered the trainee driver an insight into disruption & driving with low adhesion conditions. B’ham Intl/Rugeley & Walsall were good aside from a little slipping. Then disruption hit for the #CrossCity - ended up with a trip to #SohoDepot
October 3, 2025 at 6:26 PM
What a difference a day makes! Same job as yesterday but it offered the trainee driver an insight into disruption & driving with low adhesion conditions. B’ham Intl/Rugeley & Walsall were good aside from a little slipping. Then disruption hit for the #CrossCity - ended up with a trip to #SohoDepot
Today was the “office hours” job and I quite like it. B’ham Intl/Rugeley followed by a Walsall and finishing up with a Lichfield/Bromsgrove. Was very lovely today to meet Amy @flyingvixen.bsky.social #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver
October 2, 2025 at 8:40 PM
Today was the “office hours” job and I quite like it. B’ham Intl/Rugeley followed by a Walsall and finishing up with a Lichfield/Bromsgrove. Was very lovely today to meet Amy @flyingvixen.bsky.social #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver
Catching up with y’day… we welcome October in with the maple leaves as leaf-fall season begins for us. For the next 3 weeks I have a trainee driver with me for their cab experience part of the course. Redditch/Four Oaks started the day, followed by Walsall/Wolves/Walsall. #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver
October 2, 2025 at 7:20 AM
Catching up with y’day… we welcome October in with the maple leaves as leaf-fall season begins for us. For the next 3 weeks I have a trainee driver with me for their cab experience part of the course. Redditch/Four Oaks started the day, followed by Walsall/Wolves/Walsall. #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver
Volunteered to work my Sunday today. This began with a Lichfield/Redditch, a break, then a Wolves/Walsall and finishing off with another Lichfield. No complaints - a good day on the iron road. #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver
September 28, 2025 at 9:34 PM
Volunteered to work my Sunday today. This began with a Lichfield/Redditch, a break, then a Wolves/Walsall and finishing off with another Lichfield. No complaints - a good day on the iron road. #DayInTheLife #TrainDriver
Today, I climbed the #Monument. 311 steps up (& 311 back down too!). Only courtesy of my daughter I didn’t just climb it once but twice!!1244 steps!! The view is worth it. It is said if you lie it down it points to where the Great Fire of London started in 1666. #GreatFireOfLondon #London #History
September 27, 2025 at 8:09 PM
Today, I climbed the #Monument. 311 steps up (& 311 back down too!). Only courtesy of my daughter I didn’t just climb it once but twice!!1244 steps!! The view is worth it. It is said if you lie it down it points to where the Great Fire of London started in 1666. #GreatFireOfLondon #London #History
