05Oct 2025 by Digital Minion

A quick update from the Digital Minion…

News
Firstly, no jokes about locking Potter in cupboards or even making him sing ABBA songs… Poor bloke has been rather poorly, but thankfully he’s on the mend. As soon as he’s better, then the endless ribbing will begin again. The Chairman* needs reminding that the railway is essentially a comedy night with lots of heckling… Right, so what’s happened since the last update? Um.. quite a lot actually… We went to Derby. There was this little gig called the ‘Greatest Gathering’. You might have heard about it? 3417 was dragged to the frozen North (alright, it was August and the weather was decent) to stand proud representing the Southern Region. We were happy to be attached to the LUL’s 4TC unit and there was a lot of interest, even if…
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21Jun 2025 by Digital Minion

Bit of a different work day…

News
It's not often you get 40 willing volunteers to help out at Strawberry Hill, but last Thursday, the shed welcomed the great and good from GTR's Infrastructure Directorate. The team was put straight to work by Buckie, who welcomed everyone, gave a site briefing and then informed the volunteers that they would not be allowed to leave until everything on the list was completed to his standard. On the hottest day of the year so far.. the team got to work... From a very thorough clean of the interior of the unit, a clean and polish of the exterior, some line painting on the Shed floor and a rather spirited stripping of seats in the Trim Shop, the minions of the SETG marvelled at how much was being done in…
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02Apr 2025 by Digital Minion

Gordon Pettitt OBE

News
We're sad to report that former BR Southern Region General Manager Gordon Pettitt OBE has passed away. Gordon started at Knebworth Control on the East Coast Mainline, completed the BR Graduate Programme on the Eastern Region and held a number of senior positions before moving to the Southern Region in 1983. He retired after 42 years on the railway as Director of Regional Railways. When he collected his OBE from the Queen she said to him, “By the way Gordon, my train was late today again”. RIP Gordon, a true railwayman.
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30Dec 2024 by Digital Minion

Sponsor a Brake Block!

News
Sponsoring a part of 3417 has now become easier – you can sponsor a brake block! Each block will be laser engraved with the SETG logo, your name and a unique serial number – fitted to the unit and once it reaches the end of it’s life, you’ll receive your brake block! When you sponsor a brake block, you’ll receive a certificate, detailing the vehicle and location plus a photo of your block – and you can be proud that your brake block is helping us to work the unit. Blocks can be sponsored by individuals or organisations and we’re offering a choice of R4 (trailer coach) or R6 (motor coach) blocks. Sign up here!
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05Jun 2024 by Digital Minion
A Quick Reminder

A Quick Reminder

News
Greetings followers of the Church of the Third Rail. Glory be thy Vep.Just a quick reminder from the Digital Minion, that the new SETG shop is live and has some lovely new merch available. Our Railway Tea Chart Mug has proved rather popular! We're currently working with our suppliers to bring you more 3417 themed goodies - all products are produced on demand and shipped direct to you from our suppliers, meaning lower costs and a more sustainable supply chain. So what else would you like to see... Especially with Summer approaching...
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17Jan 2024 by Digital Minion

A Quick Update…

News
Greetings from Strawberry Hill. Or is it Selhurst, or Three Bridges. Might be Platform 4 at Twickenham (what happened to Platform 1 at Twickenham.. I presume someone stole it?). Might even be Ramsgate… Not sure anymore. Digital Minion here with a very brief update on the current state of play. 3417 is back on the National Rolling Stock Library – it’s a massive milestone for the SETG and all who sail in her.  The Depot has been a hive of activity. This Minion can attest to that fact given the amount of paperwork being generated by all the jobs being done on site.  Keep an eye on the Facebook Group and the Twitter/X/Whatever it’s called this week for more updates, unless Potter and Bucky murder each other or just fall…
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19Oct 2023 by Digital Minion

Parts, Parts, Parts and more Parts…

News
Digital Minion here… You may have noticed some social media updates regarding our parts and inventory.  We’re very lucky to be able to work with some fine people and businesses who seem to have the knack of finding parts for old trains. Which is lucky because I forget where I put my laptop charger on an almost daily basis. Anyhew, just wanted to put a few words together (Potter still has a case of the word-block and we don’t let Buckie near the website incase it gets covered in grease and oil).. We’re starting the all-important process of cataloguing everything we have obtained in terms of parts and consumables. There’s a lot of stuff on shelves, in the new racking, still in pallets – but the important part is, it’s…
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22Jul 2023 by Digital Minion

Shop Update

News
Hello, Digital Minion here.Just a quick update to say that the shop has been rather naughty and misbehaving, so we've had to take it offline for a reboot. The perils of e-commerce and the slow advance of AI are to blame... Obviously once the website gains sentience then it's going to send a terminator from the future to hunt down Potter...If anyone has any outstanding orders that are still undelivered, please email me directly at sales@setg.org.uk and we will assist. Apologies for the inconvenience. I will be attacking the Matrix shortly....
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11Apr 2023 by Digital Minion
The Digital Minion Writes…

The Digital Minion Writes…

News
Hello – Digital Minion here. Once again we’ve distracted Potter and told him that there are Eurovision Audience Tickets hidden in the locker room.  He was so excited, he ran as fast as his tiny little legs to carry him - without checking that the door does indeed lock from the outside.So far he hasn’t twigged, and we can hear him rummaging through Buckie’s dirty socks, all the while singing his heart out. ABBA’s 1974 winning hit ‘Waterloo’ is a firm favourite. I really must find those ear defenders… I’ve wrestled control of the blogging keyboard, as it turns out Potter (while doing a passable impression of the blonde one from ABBA – I’ll leave it to the reader to work out which one) is rather busy with ‘the big…
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