Travelling on PKP’s “Nieśpieszny” (Unhurried) train today from Zakopane to Warsaw. It is comprised of wonderfully restored 1970s coaches and an electric loco in period-correct liveries.
Daniel Puddicombe
@danielonrails.bsky.social
Freelance railway journalist. Away from trains I’m a Paloma Faith enthusiast and a snooker anorak as well. Email: daniel@danielpuddicombe.com. Own views.
The last bastion of real main line steam in the world is still running six days a week in 2026. Pt47-65 is hauling the 1046 Wolsztyn to Poznan all-shacks stopper this morning.
I’m a big fan of Kansas City’s streetcar network as it is (a) entirely free to use and (b) has good aircon.
A new Amtrak division for me toddy, as I’m travelling on Train 311, the Missouri River Runner from St Louis. First time sampling the new Siemens Venture stock. Train 22, the on time(!) Texas Eagle to Chicago is on the right in the first photo.
I am pleased to say I didn’t see a single second of the kickball. 💪
Because people want to own what they buy, not rent it.
The Verge@theverge.com · 3w ago16.3 million CDs were sold in the first half of 2026 in the US, a 16 percent increase year-over-year.
Currently 38,000ft above Canada, typing this onboard an AA 787-9 using free WiFi. Part of me likes being connected during flights but it’s also a shame the days of being uncontactable on planes is disappearing rapidly. Anyway, there’ll be more American trains on this feed in the coming days.
A fun story to write for The Telegraph. The North Yorkshire Moors Railways has converted a steam locomotive to run on.... red diesel! US-built 'S160' No.2253 has been converted to be oil-fired, meaning it can run during heatwaves. It'll eventually burn cold-pressed rapeseed oil.
Seeing as No.4014 is in Philadelphia this weekend and it is 4 July, I figured I'd reshare my story about a magical cab ride aboard the sole-remaining operational 'Big Boy'. #BigBoyHeadsEast
Daniel Puddicombe@danielonrails.bsky.social · 2mo agoMy story for The Telegraph about how the world's largest operational steam locomotive is uniting America this summer is live now. A huge thank you to UP and NS for making a childhood dream come true. #BigBoyHeadsEast www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/desti...
Use the word “airport” Not airporty enough Put it in it block capitals Not airporty enough Make it pink Not airporty enough Add a little picture of a plane Not airporty enough Add the words “to international destinations” Just the right amount of airporty.
After spending three days with the ‘Big Boy’ and 611, a ‘Castle’ feels tiny (indeed, two of them double-heading doesn’t match the length of 4014). I love Vintage Trains’ Shakespeare Express as it offers affordable main line steam haulage (£25) and pay on the day is possible, as I did this morning.
This time last week I was in the cab of Union Pacific's wonderful 'Big Boy' No.4014, crossing the Genesee River as part of the historic coast-to-coast tour. You could not wipe the smile off my face all day I'm still pinching myself I had the opportunity to have a footplate ride.
A childhood dream came true yesterday. Travelled 175 miles with Union Pacific’s ‘Big Boy’ No.4014 between Buffalo, NY and Sayre, PA, including two hours on the footplate. Story - I am the only non-US journo to be granted access during the coast-to-coast tour - coming soon.
Union Pacific’s ‘Big Boy’ No.4014 - the world’s largest operational steam locomotive - crossing Cattaraugus Creek in Irving, NY, on the Conneaut, Ohio - Buffalo, NY leg of its historic coast-to-coast tour. What a sight, what a sound.
I am in Buffalo, NY, for the next few days (some of you will twig why) and its metro system is entirely free to use on the above-ground section.
After a brilliant 40 hours in NYC being a tourist (Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty at sunset, Broadway show to name three things), I’m off to Canada for the first time, aboard Amtrak’s ‘Maple Leaf’ service.
@matteason.me Hi Matt, not sure if you can see DMs from non-followers, but I've just sent you a message. Any chance you could follow me back, please? TIA.
Postman Pat is a shit postman. Barely a day goes by without him getting distracted on the job. You're paid to deliver letters Pat, not chase sheep.
Publishing a magazine is a hugely risky and expensive business. It's therefore a massive kick in the teeth when an organisation such as @travmedia.bsky.social shortlist a (very, VERY good) website in their Travel Magazine of the Year category. Print media deserves better than this.
I’ve this second finished taking an MP on a tour of London’s candy shops. If you’re reading work for an MP (or are an MP!) I’m running regular tours with policy suggestions. 30mins from PCH and back to your desk, explaining all the tax dodges and you can buy some overpriced sweets for tour staff.
One of the better days at work today. Celebrated the launch of The Chairman’s Train with a run from Euston to Crewe. Travelling along the WCML won’t quite be the same again… Story for @railmagazine.bsky.social coming soon.
Didn't realise Lumo has hired Flying Scotsman and a rake of Mk1s for its new Stirling service. This was posted by an account with 675k followers. *sigh*
Can't help but be staggered by the numbers quoted in this post by Union Pacific.
Someone at Thames Valley Signalling Centre is having fun this afternoon.
I took my kids on a ten-day screen-free interrailing holiday and it was the best trip we ever did. www.cntraveller.com/article/how-...
I banned screens on a European 10-day train trip with my kids – this is what happened
Monisha Rajesh wonders whether her daughters will go off the rails once the usual entertainment is out of reach while navigating some of Europe's most fabulous cities
cntraveller.com
And so it begins. Three days of going here, there and everywhere around Hungary with 424.247, which is patiently waiting for the off from Budapest Nyugati. Load seven, not a diesel in sight - happy days. Tickets cost about £85 - an absolute steal.
Stuttgarter Zeitung reporting Italo 🇮🇹🚅 about to enter German Long-distance market with an an order for 25-30 Siemens Velaro Neo EMUs. www.stuttgarter-zeitung.de/inhalt.oeffe...
Öffentlicher Verkehr: Bald Italo-Fernzüge in Deutschland?
Der italienische MSC-Ableger will bei Siemens eine neue Zugflotte ordern und gegen die DB sowie Flixtrain antreten – doch der neue Wettbewerber wird bisher ausgebremst.
stuttgarter-zeitung.de
