What a day, I couldn't believe it - they named a train after yours truly... I mean, I'm the bloke that the music papers once described as 'one of the worlds most disgusting slobs'.... really, they DID - but I'm trying to clean up my act a little these days, especially as I'm now one of the country's top politicians, lol.

Anyway, it all started with a phone call from the Damned's esteemed bassist Stu, and of course I thought he was pulling my plonker when he told me what was being suggested by Cotswold Rail, the locomotives owner but, sure enough after a few more conservations like that one it was looking increasingly like it was gonna happen - along with a train excursion and a naming ceremony in Brighton.... well, Hove actually!

But the day started in Gloucester at some ungodly hour in the morning (7.30am - a time I usually try to avoid being a lazy skiving muso type) where upon staggering into the station there was my loco - 47810 with it's sparkly new paint job all ready to go with a row of nice pullman carriages for the day trippers. Oh, I didn't mention them did I... a great mixture of train buffs and Damned afficianados... and including a fair old few with a foot in BOTH camps if I was not too mistaken - including MYSELF!

And seeing as it WAS a special occasion the celebratory ales were flowing from pretty much the off, and I have no shame in admitting that I spent the whole trip wandering up and down chatting to my fellow passengers whilst acceping the occasional offer of a can here or a bottle there.... and a big thanks for that folks!

It was a lovely scenic trip especially that bit along the River Avon valley, and I seem to recall a rather fruity announcement over the tannoy at one point so full of double entendres I nearly choked on my beer - but time flies when you're having fun and before I knew it it was the unveiling of the loco's name plate bit on Hove Station and I was pulling the silk cord (actually a bit of gaffa tape) to the accompaniment of a bevy of camera flashes. My attempts at a speech were drowned out by the chugging of the bloomin' great diesel locomotive that had the snazzy new name plaque on it - but as THAT was the real star of the show it didn't seem to matter. I posed like a goodun as you'd expect and then it was time for some music.

I had got my old chums from the Spacetoad Experience to play in the Prince Albert next to Brighton Station.... one of the citys great music boozers (hence the giant mural of John Peel on the wall outside) and Monty Oxymoron, myself and the gang played a spirited 'space punk' set for the assembled throng.

So, a great day was had by all... and I have to say that for a dodgy old punk train spotter like myself it doesen't come much better than this so a big thanks to all involved, to the Cotswold and Heartland Rail companies, to Stu, Nick from 'Train Crazy' and to all those of you who joined my wacky excursion aboard the 'Captain Sensible'.

fanbloodytastic!! - Cap

PS - oh, if anybody see's the bloomin' thing trundling around the country anytime could you lettuce know how it's doing and all that - cheers!

Thanks to everyone who sent in their photos! Ere's a selection...

Sent by Jules

Sent by Dede (Damned Fairy)		Sent by Paul