Shift work is not everyone's cup of tea. I, however, quite like variety. Which is fortunate, given the nature of my role. If I were to brainstorm words associated with my job, variety would be the first I'd come out with. There are early shifts, late shifts, a few middle shifts and weekends too. But … Continue reading The Working Day
Most companies of any size offer a few benefits and perks to their employees. The railway offers more than most. Who wouldn't want a final salary based pension? They're hard to come by these days. Some (most? all? I don't know...) Train Operating Companies also provide a scheme, which I participate in, to buy shares … Continue reading The Priv
I can be sent to work at any of a number of locations. But there's one I seem to get sent to most. It's the place furthest from home at the very end of the line. Read into that what you will. But I don't mind. I enjoy the commute. Every time I make the … Continue reading Paint a Picture
This week is a week of anniversaries. Today marks two years since I started working with a train operator as a ticket office clerk. As far as I'm concerned, it's the best job in the world*. Why is this so? The pay is fantastic for the job I perform. But the pay is not why … Continue reading The Best Job In The World
Did you enjoy the tale of Benny the Railway man? There really is an urn at Weymouth train station, although you may have doubted me due to the lack of photographic evidence provided. I can remedy that - see above. It's not a remarkable photo but then it is not a remarkable urn. But there … Continue reading Benny’s Urn
I've been on a few scenic railway journeys in my life. I have done one of the greatest train journeys of them all in fact. Back in 2003 I boarded El Chepe at Los Mochis. The very name Los Mochis sounds like some sort of sizzling hell hole from a Star Wars movie, inhabited by … Continue reading Great American Railway Journeys
The mass commute must be a relatively modern creation. I suspect that few people will refer to its invention in the same breath as sliced bread or the wheel. By all accounts, most people seem to loathe their daily commute. But not me. I love my commute. I always have done, whether I was living … Continue reading The Commute
The Mexile 