Ben Colombari

Ex RAF and Humberside FRS Driver Training Instructor. Now a train driver and Assistant Scout Leader. Views and opinions are my own.

[Ben Colombari @BenColombari]

I'm taking part in the De 4 Daagse in the Netherlands 🇳🇱 in a month's time. 124mile, 4 days. I have decided to and try to raise some funds for the @TheSCT (The Sick Childrens Trust) in the process. If you would like to donate the link is below.

https://t.co/oSskmyHBSw

[Ben Colombari @BenColombari]

@_harveybrent Trainline is a 3rd party ticket provider/broker. Booking tickets with any train company for any journey in the UK will not do this to you.

[Ben Colombari @BenColombari]

#DisneyOnIce

[Ben Colombari @BenColombari]

My time with HMCG sadly ended at the end of Sep. Work/family are my priorty and I am unable to give the on-call demands the team needs anymore. Coronation Medals and a hand over of my Deputy Station Officer role to Ash. It's been a privilege to have been part of the service.

[Ben Colombari @BenColombari]

@WiliamsL1805 When I was based at RAF Leeming an ATC Officer demanded us regulars salute and call them sir, the same officer then came into the junior ranks mess asking those of us eating a meal after our day at work to make space for the cadets. He was soon taken out of the mess 🫠 🤦‍♂️

[Ben Colombari @BenColombari]

@ukrailadventure Lots of ex military on the rails + emergency services. Joined the RAF but didn't think I'd get on the railway. Left the RAF in 2015, worked for the fire service 2016 to 2022. By 2020 aged 32 I'd got through the driver process but COVID delayed it til 2022, I'm now a train driver

[Ben Colombari @BenColombari]

@philchadwick64 @DefenceHQ I agree, many supporting tours prior to 2018. I'd even argue Cyprus and the Falklands post 1982 have always been operational. The 2 x I've been to the Falklands I've always been told to the contrary that it's an active deterrent to be on the islands and is in defence of FLK. 🤷‍♂️

[Ben Colombari @BenColombari]

@MrJones_Blog Are you aware of the difference between Special Constables (volunteers with the same powers ans equipment as Police Officers) and PCSOs (Police Community Support Officers) that I think you might be confusing the two roles with eachother..

[Ben Colombari @BenColombari]

@4d_s5 @grantshapps @BWallaceMP @worcmedals @DefenceHQ @DefenceOps @Natobgest @CommanderCabrit Back dated to 2018, I'm guessing despite the Falklands still being a political hot potato and being told that our contribution of the current defence of the Falklands is a legitimate need. Having spent nearly a year down there I'm guessing Falklands support counts for nothing 🤷‍♂️

[Ben Colombari @BenColombari]

@kathryn_rose123 This was in darkness and poor visibility (foggy) conditions, can't blame the driver for reporting what they saw when they couldn't see what the train type was. Better to report it and be safe than it not be a simple as a steam loco nobody could see.

[Ben Colombari @BenColombari]

@crunchie48 @RailTyone At this point I'm curious to be honoured or offended 🤔😆

[Ben Colombari @BenColombari]

Finally after 22 months of training, I qualified as a train driver. Thank you to all my family, friends, former and new work colleagues for all the support in helping me get here. #traindriver

[Ben Colombari @BenColombari]

@HewittLiz251179 When I was a special I had a jacket that got soaked in the rain, left it on hangers outside the locker to dry. Rural station with no other staff but me on that night. I came back in the morning to find my epaulettes on the floor and my jacket 'borrowed' never seen again.

[Ben Colombari @BenColombari]

@WilliamFade @northernassist TPE run on the same line between Leeds and York as Northern unless they get diverted. So if Northern can't run, TPE also can't run.

[Ben Colombari @BenColombari]

Very proud to have become a Deputy Station Officer for @HornseaCG.

[Ben Colombari @BenColombari]

@BucksheeSSgt @DawnMcCaff I joined the RAF in 2009 and got a Diamond Jubilee through combined service time with an emergency service before joining and RAF time. They might have had some qualifying service prior to joining.

[Ben Colombari @BenColombari]

@Tiiii69 @Champs707007 Doesn't make any difference. I'm an apprentice train driver and the pay and structure (with my TOC anyway) is the same pre apprenticeship scheme. You just do some vocational work and achieve a recognised qualification as part of training now.

[Ben Colombari @BenColombari]

Proud as always to represent @HMCoastguard at today's Remembrance Sunday Service in Hornsea. #hmcoastguard #veteran #RAF #RoyalAirForce

[Ben Colombari @BenColombari]

@JacobiteTyne Yorkshire (all 4 ridings) is the best county in the UK. You can never leave 😆