Andy Comfort

@andycomfort.bsky.social

Features Editor at RAIL Magazine. I have also done work for Lumo & Hull Trains; Presenter on Hull’s 107FM; Rail Replacement Coordinator; Former BBC Local Radio presenter, senior journalist & news editor. Warning: some posts may refer to Ipswich Town!

I’ve been hacked on Twitter (X) and I can’t seem to get my access reinstated, so I’m hoping I can reconnect here with the nice people I enjoyed interacting with on good old Twitter. Maybe being booted out of that toxic cesspit will prove to be a good thing.

Standby…for Here comes the Weekend on @Hulls107FM 2-4pm Hull History with @hulltourguide Where’s the 1445 heading? The 5to4 song plus music from The Doors, Anastacia & REM to name but 3…

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It is a year today since I took redundancy from the BBC after a 30 year career. I’ve really enjoyed this past 12 months. Writing on rail matters, working for train operators, doing rail replacement and being back on the radio. Plus, choosing when I work and having more time with family & friends.

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@andycomfort.bsky.social We're super excited for our next show in Hull - with our choir and live band! 🎶 It would be amazing if you could help us get the word out, please? 🙏

Hot Gospel@hotgospeluk.bsky.social · last yr.

🔥Hot Gospel - as seen on TV - bringing energy, passion & soul to the stage!🙌🎶 Hot GOSPEL Collective LIVE pro band! Hot Gospel Choir! Director @helengarnett.bsky.social (Britain's Got Talent, BBC All Together Now) Jubilee Central Hull 29/3/25 Doors 7pm gigantic.com/the-hot-gospel-collective-tickets

The DfT is opposing a plan by Hull Trains to run Sheffield/King’s Cross, as well as an extra Hull/London service, which would “further constrain LNER’s ability to operate additional services to Leeds, for which it has firm rights.” www.railmagazine.com/news/2025/02...

DfT opposes eight out of nine open access applications citing revenue and performance concerns

Department for Transport said several did not meet the abstraction threshold, and raised several other concerns.

railmagazine.com

I’m delighted to be joining the great team at Hull’s 107FM and I’m excited, and a bit nervous, to be back on the radio! You might recognise some features from my “past life!” Please join me every Friday from 2-4pm. Listen here: 107fm.co.uk

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It’s the dress rehearsal for the Not the BBC Panto tonight before we open on Friday. Tickets are going well, with a good crowd expected in Brid and 900+ tickets sold for our 2 Hull shows but we’d love some more of you to come - Saturday evening’s show has good seats - details:

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I’m at rehearsal tonight and it’s exactly a calendar month until we open in Bridlington! It’s shaping up nicely and this will be a lot of fun - please share widely and do book tickets for our shows in Brid and Hull. We’re raising money for Children in Need & 2 community groups.

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I’ve taken a trip out today to ride on a preview train on the UK’s newest passenger railway - the Northumberland Line between Newcastle & Ashington, which will carry its first passengers in over 60 years on Sunday. More in the next issue of RAIL Magazine.

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Most days we have a Xander pre-school morning crisis. Yesterday - I can’t find my bag. (I did. Hanging on the back of his door.). Today - you’ve put my PE shorts in the wash. (Yes because you put them in the washing basket.) Time to test out the 10 minute tumble dry function🤞

It’s been a long 5 week closure of the main Huddersfield to Leeds railway and today’s the last day of this block. A full train service resumes tomorrow & thanks from the rail replacement team in Huddersfield for passengers’ patience while the TransPennine Route upgrade continues.

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There’s another problem with the flyover on the A63 at St. Andrew’s Quay in Hull. This could cause delays tomorrow. You may remember engineers have already had to work on this bridge.

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It’s a tough day for passengers & our team here in Huddersfield running rail replacement services. Signal cable theft closed the diversionary route to/from Leeds (the direct line via Dewsbury is closed for upgrades) & we’ve run quite a few extra coaches to get people to Leeds.

My latest article for @RAIL is a look at a scheme run by Arriva TrainCare to teach its own staff to become train engineers & technicians. The photo is Peter Wright working on a CrossCountry Voyager at Tyne Yard near Newcastle. Buy the magazine or subscribe: railmagazine.com

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As you may know, after 30 years at BBC Radio Humberside, I am now a rail journalist, writing mostly for Rail Magazine. I also do some writing for Lumo & Hull Trains. You can also sometimes find me at railway stations working as a Rail Replacement Coordinator, helping passengers with their journeys.

Hello from me on here. I hope to chat to many of you lovely people who were on Twitter BM (Before Musk). Please say hi and let’s hope this place puts a smile on our faces. I’ll be posting about life, trains & Ipswich Town, but not necessarily in that order!