Blimey playmates, I got this train naming day coming up... Feb 10th - it's a class 47 (quite popular with train spotters apparantly) and it's gonna be called the Captain Sensible believe it or not! What an honour and all that, especially for a self confessed trainspotter type like my good self.

So anyway, they are running an excursion from Gloucester (where the locomotive is gonna be based) to sunny old Brighton, taking the scenic route through Bath, etc.

Of course I will be on board for the trip mingling with the other passangers and possibly doing some sort of performance while in transit at one point - but the main musical event will be on arrival in Brighton after the official train naming ceremony when we will all adjourn to a nearby real ale pub and myself and the rest of my colleagues in the Dr Spacetoad Experience will entertain the assembled throng with a tripped out set of some sort.

After the show the Sensible Express will return on the same route taking the revellers home and I've been told there will be some nice nosh to be had so all in all this promises to be quite a fun day out for all concerned so if anyones interested please get in touch with Heartland Rail (0845 607 6395 / 01453 765848 / www.heartlandrail.com) and I'll see ya there!

Pip pip - Captain S

STOP PRESS!!!

I have managed to get all the members of the Dr Spacetoad Experience located all over the place to agree perform at a pub located right next door to Brighton Station for those of the train entourage who fancy hearing a bit of our unique blend of prog/punk/jazz/folk/comedy.... and all washed down with a pint or two of terrific ale. The band will be performing for TRAIN PASSENGERS at 2.30pm at the Albert in Trafalger st by the station. After which there will be an additional performance at the Hobgoblin, London Rd. (5 mins walk from station) at 8.30pm where everybody is welcome. As far as I know both gigs are free entry and I'd say that's an offer you can't refuse as the Toad (despite his massive ego and constant paranoid megalomania) is one of the greatest singers I've ever heard, and also one of the country's top eccentrics too! There's usually some bizarre banter between the songs with band members trying to distract the Toad while he is attempting to ensnare some pretty damsel or other with talk of astrology and tarots and the like. How DOES he get away with it? I dunno, but we give him a good run for his money anyway.

Anyway, the music is extremely good and very enjoyable to play so I for one am very much looking
forward to these 2 shows on the same day in wacky old Brighton.

Cheers - Cap