If you are wondering who is behind the site, then I’ll give you a rundown and why.
I started this site to promote my content, mainly as I have been producing stock and scenery objects since I joined the Trainz forum on the 14th August 2000 – that long ago. Although I am now much quieter than I was as I have a full time job, I’ve still been busy creating in my spare time in the background. The key thing to remember, I am creating in my spare time!
Trainz has been a life long project, even more so for me as I specialise mostly in multiple units, but occasionally branch out to more specialist interest, mostly to do with the former British Rail Southern Region. In fact, the main reason I started is because the stock I wanted to drive and use didn’t exist, nor did multiple units in general! What is unusual about the Southern Region is simple, third rail. Yes, thousands of miles of electrification on the railways using 750v DC 3rd rail, usually for the reserve of urban railways, not long distance! In fact, its been said, from end to end, you could do 229 miles (Ramsgate to Weymouth) on the third rail. Living in the area all my life, I do take an interest in the former British Rail Southern Region – little did I realise I’ll be working for a privatised company that operates on it many years later!
Of course, the other thing to remember is that the region does see occasional diesel units – well a lot to destinations in the west country and there were a lot of them. Mostly driven by “Sprinter” and “Express” units. These days as I write this, its ex-“Thames Turbos” and “Express” units that operate most of the services. The “Sprinters” are now relegated to the extremities of the west.
So you know why I started this site, I’ve given an idea of the interest so me as a person? Well, I’m 6ft plus male and I’m also pretty rare, in that I am red headed and blue eyed. Look up the stats for that. I residing in the south coast of England, part of the United Kingdom. I work on the railways (my CV will explain everything) and all my life, I’ve been mostly interested in trains and computers – even taking up a University course to study “Computer Games Technologies” which Trainz helped me to start. I have other interests as well, but they are nowhere near as sustained as those 2 together. I live with my dad due to problems with jobs initially (which is all sorted) and house prices (not sorted!) along with 3 dogs as I write this, Finn, Bailey and Burt.
My family has been more of a dog orientated family and I’ve ended up following the tradition, for the record:
Finn is an Irish Red and White Setter (please click this link to find out more – opens a new window) – part owned by me, part owned by a friend
Bailey is an Irish Red Setter – note red is added deliberately, otherwise would be considered an “Irish Setter”. (Click this link to find out more – opens a new window), owned by my dad.
Burt is a Weimaraner – owned by my dad.
The setters have their links respectively for a good reason, Finn is a very rare breed. Not many people know of the existence of a Irish Red and White Setter, let alone seen one or the history behind it (hint, the Red Setters are strongly related.) As you probably read this far, you’ll see what I mean.
I occasionally talk about my IT woes as I do more and more complex stuff on my dads network, where I make it, he messes it up big time. Don’t go there! So far, I own close to 100 individual types of computers, laptops, desktops and various machines for various uses, although that figure is shrinking, as I learn to take out all my duplicates. One day, I’ll catalogue and type my thoughts out on these computers if there is enough interest.
Finally, this was a complete mistake, I ended up with 3, well 4 cars. This wasn’t intentional. In fact, when I tried to join the railways, I found out pretty quickly that I needed a car. So I took driving lessons, passed them to get my first driving licence, got my first car (a blue Renault Clio), then my sister wanted to get rid of hers, so I took it on, I then brought her one which I sold, brought a Renault Espace that I wanted, then won another Espace (same type, different engine – V6 petrol rather than diesel) on a famous online auction and didn’t get outbidded – much to my surprise, then ended up buying my dad a car on a loan as he had to have it. Evenutally paid me back and gave me his old car in exchange, then brought my sister a car, that she got rid of, then nothing happened for a long time until I moved to Portsmouth for a few months and found the Espace too difficult to park as I couldn’t use my Clio as it wasn’t a runner at the time, then brought another Clio which was green, the same type as my blue Clio, just slightly older. Then ended up getting rid of the blue Clio and keeping the green, putting both together to make one good car. That’s the story.
Where I live.
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I live around the Chichester area. Chichester is a city you may not of heard of on the south coast. You may not of heard more correctly of the “City of Chichester” which gained city status after gaining a cathedral in 1075AD. Another unique thing about Chichester is the city walls, which are mostly complete from the Roman times. There is a LOT of Roman history around Chichester as well, relics of the past that have been untouched for centuries, such as preserved examples of mosaic floors in the nearby “Fishbourne Roman Palace” (Roughly 2 miles from Chichester City Centre.)
In modern times, Chichester is considered a rural district, when you compare Chichester to nearbly Portsmouth (13 miles west) and Brighton (26 miles East), as well as London (55 miles north East), its easy to see why.
Chichester may not be well known, but the nearby locations are! You have Goodwood (4 miles north of Chichester), Selsey (8 miles south), the Witterings and East Wittering beach (8 miles south west).
Local pronunciation of one village is also interesting, that being Bosham (3 miles west of Chichester). We don’t call it Bosham – in fact, you will confuse the locals, the correct way is to drop the “h” and pronounce Bos-um… Don’t go into the history of it!
What is there to see and do?

In Chichester? Having lived here most of my life? In all honesty, it depends on your age group and I’m afraid to say, if you are under 18, there isn’t a whole lot of appeal to Chichester – I’m that honest and if I am bluntly honest, it’s not a place for young kids. Even if you are over 18, there isn’t a whole lot to do and this is the problem with the city, its targeted itself to the wrong audience. (That has come from someone who has lived here since childhood). You won’t find any arcades, I cannot think of any for a start. Entertainment for kids really is lacking, the high street isn’t catered for the younger audience, few toy shops and I can only think of one that is a small shop.
Travelling to nearby destinations
That gives you a big idea what Chichester is like for younger people but if you want to explore more destinations – Portsmouth is thankfully nearby and has a lot more going for it for younger audiences. Easy to get to by train (3 trains an hour or change at Havant for South Western Railway services) and the A27/M27/M275 to the West.
Another bigger problem, to get anywhere, its not a place you can get by without a car! I know from experience as the bus routes are pretty lacking. The one that runs outside my house only runs from 07:00 to 19:00 and you have to wait 1 hr and 40 minutes per direction. Its not 100% true for the whole of Chichester, but bus routes are lacking by a long shot. (See here – by Stagecoach South for bus routes and timetables – Opens a new window/Tab) Thankfully, the rail service is far more frequent. be it that it serves a small area. A car is highly recommended but avoid the A27 during the daytime if you do. Yes, it’s that bad. Taxi’s are another problem, during the day, there are loads, but expect to be waiting over an hour for one at busy times. Particularly outside Chichester station. Uber works, but again, taxi’s are thin on the ground. Thankfully, most of the urban area of Chichester is within a 2 mile radius, making it walkable – at least to my standards, yours maybe lower, but still. The city centre is less than half a mile from the railway station, in fact, its less than a 10 minute walk to the market cross, dependent on speed.
Brighton is also easy to get to by train (3 trains an hour or change at Barnham), but difficult by car via the A27/A259 due to traffic. Aurndel to Crossbush (near Aurndel) is a nasty bottleneck, so is Durington to Sompting (north of Worthing). During the summer on hot summer days, especially the weekend Selsey, Bracklesham and the Witterings are no go areas (all three to the south of Chichester). Again, traffic and the only realistic way to get there is by car or bus. Buses get stuck in traffic, so there is no real benefit going on the bus. Parking is also an absolute nightmare in the Witterings on summer weekends and now has a pre book parking service if the Wittering’s is fully booked – DO NOT TRAVEL. There is no alternative parking. (See this site for more details)
Going north is a good prospect, except avoid Goodwood on event days, as Goodwood gets busy (4 miles north).