5 years ago....

[Howardh]

Was the eve of the London Olympics.

What's happened in your life since then?

Mum had just been diagnosed with Alzhiemers...two years later I finished work to become her (and dad's) full-time carer; in that time my shares have tripled in value, got a shiny new car, lost my European Union Citizenship (to come), still travel on Pacers.

You???

 

[telstarbox]

Moved city, moved house three times (hopefully not again for a while!), got married and acquired two cats and two new bikes. Voted for a Police and Crime Commissioner. Still travel on overcrowded Networkers.

 

[Darandio]

It's been pretty frantic. hock:

Welcomed my new son.
Best mate got married and emigrated to Australia.
Lost my mother.
Watched father fall apart.
Lost a close cousin.
Currently watching his mother go the same way as mine.
Partner got diagnosed with Graves disease.

Still endure Pacers.

 

[fowler9]

Had 4 different jobs, one the one before this one was finally a position of responsibility which I sadly lost (Not because of anything I did). Visited Poland 4 times, also Hungary, Latvia, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Belgium, Holland and France. Seen loads of amazing films. Spent 7 months on the dole. Had 3 friends die all tragically young, 34, 40 and 50.

 

[507021]

Quite a bit, but I won't bore you all with my life story.

I got my first job in 2012, worked there for six months before being made redundant. I had three other jobs before I ended up returning to the same place in February 2014. I loved it and I miss working there, but these things happen.

I moved back to the UK in late 2014, and in May 2015 I voted for the first time. I also bought a car in May 2015, and I still have it today.

In mid 2016, I finally got the help I needed to help me in my battle with depression and anxiety, and I feel I'm a better person. I now volunteer for a mental health charity to give something back.

I started a new career towards the end of last year, and I welcomed my daughter at the start of this year. I'm no longer with her mother, but we are slowly building bridges for our daughter's sake. Very recently, I have found a new partner, and so far it is going well.

 

[TheNewNo2]

Finished my PhD, got a job, moved to London, broke up with my girlfriend.

 

[TheEdge]

Got a job on the railway as a guard
Got engaged
Got married
Got in a train crash
Marriage fell apart
Started as a depot driver
About to start as a mainline driver

 

[djpontrack]

Still got the same crap job ( I've been there 7 years now)
My Grandson was born in January last year.
My Father died in October last year.
My Mother has a multitude of medical problems and is constantly back and forth to hospital.

 

[Strathclyder]

Well, without going into too much detail....

• Grandmother passed away suddenly (late August 2012; so just after the games had finished)
• Started/finished my 1st year at City of Glasgow College (August 2012 - June/July 2013)
• Moved to a bigger flat (early-mid summer 2012)
• Got ourselves a 2nd Labradoodle (February 2013)
• Started/finished my 2nd year at City of Glasgow College (August 2013 - June/July 2014)
• Came out to my parents (November 2014)
• Passed my NC Photography course at West College Scotland (June/July 2016)
• Grandfather died suddenly (January 2017)
• Aunt died in hospital from cancer-related causes (February 2017)
• Dad undergoing a shoulder operation (March 2017)
• Yours truly getting assaulted (May 2017)

Though all of that, and still I ride on 156s, 318s, 320s & 334s. That's one of the few things that hasn't changed in the past 5 years...

 

[fowler9]

Quite a bit, but I won't bore you all with my life story.

I got my first job in 2012, worked there for six months before being made redundant. I had three other jobs before I ended up returning to the same place in February 2014. I loved it and I miss working there, but these things happen.

I moved back to the UK in late 2014, and in May 2015 I voted for the first time. I also bought a car in May 2015, and I still have it today.

In mid 2016, I finally got the help I needed to help me in my battle with depression and anxiety, and I feel I'm a better person. I now volunteer for a mental health charity to give something back.

I started a new career towards the end of last year, and I welcomed my daughter at the start of this year. I'm no longer with her mother, but we are slowly building bridges for our daughter's sake. Very recently, I have found a new partner, and so far it is going well.

Glad to hear things are hopefully on the up mate. Also glad you are building bridges with you daughters mum, hope both are well. Which charity do you volunteer for if you don't mind me asking? Feel free to PM me if you don't want to say, I have had a long struggle with similar problems and would like to help others.

 

[507021]

Glad to hear things are hopefully on the up mate. Also glad you are building bridges with you daughters mum, hope both are well. Which charity do you volunteer for if you don't mind me asking? Feel free to PM me if you don't want to say, I have had a long struggle with similar problems and would like to help others.

I've sent you a message mate.

 

[fowler9]

I've sent you a message mate.

Likewise. Muchas gracias.

 

[Johncleesefan]

Woah loads,

I was living with my Mrs parents in exeter during olympics, moved into flat in exeter, moved back to york with her, moved back to exeter when she became pregnant with first, started driving buses. Moved to Wiltshire to be a train driver, got married and had a second child, and recently bought first house. busy times

 

[Blindtraveler]

Was engaged at the time, since got married, moved house, marriage fell apart, nearly gone bankrupt twice, remained self employed, love it and hate it in equal measure, still hate 170s and still love pacers.

Noticing a theme with failed relationships on here.

 

[jonathan01n]

I then start Year 11 ( in Northern Ireland) and start doing my GCSEs.
Did an A in Chemistry.
Doing Silver award (but not finished) in the Mourne and my classroom.
Doing Work Experience in a PR firm with my poor grammar !
Voted as a prefect in my school in year 12.
Ran well in a Cross- country race even i felt sick on that day.
Won a medal on a 800m race.
Got good Grades in my GCSEs!
Moved to Market Rasen to start my AS levels
Went to York and visited the minster and the NRM
Went to Drayton Manor
Visited Melton Mowbray and have some pork pies there.
Did Quite well in my Maths except on the Decision Mathematics.
Did poorly in my Physics.
Went to Alton towers in 2015 March on a Physics trip.
Learned British Sign Language- Not Much but I am interested in helping disabled.
Did National Citizens Service just before my 18 birthday on Easter 15'
Moved to Sheffield For a year doing some course.
Visited the Supertram depot openday
Having my Christmas Holiday in Hong Kong at 2015. Visited a Hanger and saw different aircrafts such as 747-8F and A330 etc.
Visited the Fire and police museum, and the industrial museum.
Moved to Lincoln to do Year 1 in engineering.
Visited 2 heritage railway in Christmas holiday, GCR and NVR.
Entered a workshop and use tools in February time , very exciting and new experience
Did some exams badly but some are quite good.
.... There are lots of ups and also a lot of downs.... But it is a great adventure

 

[Antman]

Was the eve of the London Olympics.

What's happened in your life since then?

Mum had just been diagnosed with Alzhiemers...two years later I finished work to become her (and dad's) full-time carer; in that time my shares have tripled in value, got a shiny new car, lost my European Union Citizenship (to come), still travel on Pacers.

You???

Quite a bit actually both good and bad.

It will be five years ago on Aug 3rd that I walked away unscathed from a serious RTA, had I not been wearing a seatbelt I wouldn't be here now. I have seen every day as a bonus since then.

My father developed Alzheimers, he has since passed away and in all honesty it was a blessing, he had no quality of life left.

Walked my daughter down the aisle, sadly her and her husband are now separated.

My own marriage to her mother ended, we had only been staying together for convenience sake. We remain on good terms though.

I became a grandfather, grandchildren are great should have had them first!!

Met my wonderful new partner and with her came two fantastic step kids, both now in their late teens. Best thing that's ever happened to me.

I've cut down on my alcohol consumption and lost a bit of weight.

Experienced a few of lifes ups and downs but all things considered, I can't complain.

 

[alexf380]

5 years ago, 15 year old Alex was entering his second last year at high school.
I was having a pretty hard time at high school with many people who I thought were fantastic people to be around. Fast forward to now, I keep in touch with a grand total of 1 of those fellas, the only one of them that is actually a good mate.

In that time I've also met my current girlfriend, learned to drive, found a really enjoyable job, lost my grandfather to cancer, am studying a field I couldn't have imagined I ever would (acting and performance) and over the coming months shall be moving away from my parents for the first time.

God knows I'm not ready to be growing up yet, it's all going too fast!

 

[Matt Taylor]

Five years ago I had just completed route learning at Fratton and I've been there ever since and have no plans to move up to driving at present. In 2014 I made an emergency trip to Sydney where I was able spend time with my mother for the last five days of her life. Also in 2014 I took up running without any idea that by now I would've run an ultramarathon, six marathons and no end of half marathons! Finally paid all my/our debts and this year I finally had the hernia surgery I should probably have had three or four years ago. My life has been good since 2012, some say I've been lucky but I'd prefer to say that you make your own luck.

 

[AntoniC]

Still working for the same Government Department ( the one everyone loves ! - I will let you guess which one) but now doing a different job (not through choice).

Still of the alcohol, still very happily single !.

Last year had a great holiday on the Isle of Man with some of the bods from here.

Overall life is good for me.

 

[roversfan2001]

Quite a lot, it is about 30% of my life after all

> Started high school (Sep '12)
> Seen my team (Blackburn) go from the 1st tier (2012) to the 3rd tier of English football (now)
> Made a lot of new friends at high school and lost contact with most friends from primary school
> Developed an interest in railways (early 2016)
> Started attending away games with some frequency (2016-2017 season)
> Started my GCSEs (Sep '16)
> Finished high school and my GCSEs (Jun '17)
> And 3 weeks away from getting my GCSE results and 4 weeks away from turning 16!

 

[fowler9]

Quite a lot, it is about 30% of my life after all

> Started high school (Sep '12)
> Seen my team (Blackburn) go from the 1st tier (2012) to the 3rd tier of English football (now)
> Made a lot of new friends at high school and lost contact with most friends from primary school
> Developed an interest in railways (early 2016)
> Started attending away games with some frequency (2016-2017 season)
> Started my GCSEs (Sep '16)
> Finished high school and my GCSEs (Jun '17)
> And 3 weeks away from getting my GCSE results and 4 weeks away from turning 16!

I remember going to Liverpool away at Blackburn in 2012. I'd got back from a round the world trip, was unemployed and had split up with my ex, a good mate of mine gave me the ticket and the train fair and I went with his sister.

 

[roversfan2001]

I remember going to Liverpool away at Blackburn in 2012. I'd got back from a round the world trip, was unemployed and had split up with my ex, a good mate of mine gave me the ticket and the train fair and I went with his sister.

Was that the game we won 3-1? I seem to remember us beating one of the 'big teams' at home a matter of weeks before our relegation was confirmed.

 

[fowler9]

Was that the game we won 3-1? I seem to remember us beating one of the 'big teams' at home a matter of weeks before our relegation was confirmed.

No sorry mate, we won 3-2. Andy Carrol won it for us if I remember rightly. Me and my mates sister trained it back to Manchester and I crashed on her floor. Talking about the last 5 years my mates sister has had two lads with her boyfriend (Who I hasten to add she was going out with when I visited and there was nothing untoward, ha ha). Also my mates wife gave birth to twins a couple of months back. A very productive few years. Ha ha.

 

[Crossover]

• Still working at the same place I had just started at just over 5 years ago (remember the commutes listening to the Olympics well) - then a Network Admin but now in a much expanded role. Had its ups and downs and been quite tumultuous at times, but enjoying the challenges it brings
• Continue to volunteer at a local arts group in my spare time - you won't generally find me on stage but usually helping off it, often on lighting/sound operation
• Lost my Grandma from Alzheimers (as someone else mentioned, a blessing in ways after years of suffering and progressive deterioration)
• Joined the "real world" of train travel since my final 16-25 railcard expired
• Visited plenty more places, both with the forum (the trips to Scotland, including an overnight stay and explore on Skye probably being the stand-outs) and on my own (the culmination of the railcard being a trip to Devon and Cornwall - trip report on here somewhere). Also, whilst away in Dorset with family last year, I peeled away for the day to "nip" down to Weymouth and walked the Quay line before it disappeared
• Continuing on the rail theme (it is what we are here for afterall!), made my first trips on the sleeper services in the last couple of years (3 trips in berths and a couple as an evening passenger from Fort Bill to Glasgow) as well as been on my first railtours (actually been on a number of them now)
• Since others have mentioned relationships - well, no change there as still as single now as I was then!

I think that about covers in - sounds a bit boring looking at it!

 

[Blindtraveler]

Im starting to think that those who stayed single were/are Happier, doesnt prevent those of us no longer in them still wishing we had something warm and cuddly at nights though.

 

[KashmireHawker]

Since London 2012, I have:

- Been aboard in October 2012; 1st visit out the UK in Year 10 to Belgium and France; heading to Brussels with Uni in November
- Completed Secondary Education with too many qualifications I can remember all at once - that being GCSE's and BTEC's done between Years 9 & 13
- Started at Sheffield Hallam University last year, 2nd year in Politics commences next month as well as being the Union's Disabled Students Represenative
- Been a Member and Deputy Member of the UK Youth Parliament, which included being part of UKYP's Commons sitting in 2014
- Spoken in the last 2 House of Lords Chamber Events, as well as cracking BBC Question Time - bonkersly, QT and 2015's Lords Chamber Event came in less than 24 hours of each other
- Did NCS in 2014; represented NCS Trust as a Leader for 2014/15 and I am sure when doing the programme itself, part of it was at some caves, near the Ribblehead Viaduct (beautiful trainline!)
- Got too political for my own good (Specifically in Labour - gonna have a crack at the West Midlands Mayoralty in 2020, as why couldn't a youngster do so)
- Seen Wolves almost 60 times - wonderful win yesterday of which I raved about on the local Radio phone-in afterwards: once a Guest of the Club due to my involvement in Youth Participation being recognised in 2015
- One of the proudest things has to have been on the Development Group for a £6 Million Youth Zone in Wolves: serves so many Young People!
- Been part of numbers of panels and forums in relation to Young People, including my local Youth Council and being engaged within the work of the British Youth Council
- Been on too many TOC's; as far north to Glasgow Central and as far south as Exeter St Davids - somehow did 11 of them in space of about a week in late May and Early June
- Seen twice and once met Little Mix (my musical idols - don't care I'm a male fan too...); seeing them twice more later this year
- Had 2 relationship's, of which the last was in 2015; been single long enough so I am on the lookout
- And finally: seen far too many train videos for my own liking...

All I need is some work and to stay both open and positive minded, over the coming months ahead.

 

[Howardh]

Im starting to think that those who stayed single were/are Happier, doesnt prevent those of us no longer in them still wishing we had something warm and cuddly at nights though.

If you don't mind getting up at 5.30am every sodding day of the year...a cat.

 

[alxndr]

Good question...

Finished my GCSEs and left school.
Got a moped.
Had a miserable year at college.
Gained an interest in railways on my journeys to said college.
Wrote off the moped but thankfully walked away more or less entirely unscathed.
Found an apprenticeship on the railway and left home.
Ended up more or less disowned by my father.
Found a new family in my colleagues.
Started renting a flat with my girlfriend and muddled through being adults together.
More or less stopped smoking and drinking, except for a few days a year.
Passed out of my apprenticeship.
Passed my driving test.
Lost my grandfather.
Brought a house with my girlfriend.

At some point down the line, I've also come a long way in getting a grip of my mental health and general wellbeing, which is the most important thing. Five years ago I wouldn't have even imagined my life now and how together I have everything.

 

[ainsworth74]

I have deleted a number of posts that were inappropriate and in breach of our Forum Rules. I would just like to take this opportunity to remind everyone of one of the key provisions of our rules:

Appropriate

• Please ensure your contributions are suitable for the wide age range we have as forum members. We have a duty to ensure that offensive material has no place on this forum, and that content remains family friendly.

I posters could please ensure they keep the above in mind when contributing on this thread and others that would be greatly appreciated by the Forum Staff.

Many thanks,
ainsworth74

 

[Geezertronic]

I was working on the sixth floor of a building in Docklands during the Olympics with a great view of the stadium especially at night. Unfortunately there has been building work which has blocked the view over the last 5 years