Depending where you are, it is or will soon be 2026. to be honest it very much feels like Im being dragged beaten, battered, and bruised across the finish line rather than anything with dignity, but once again "This Too Shall Pass" is proven right. I didn't get as much done as I wished this year, but considering everthing that happened both on a national/global level and on a personal level, I'm content with Traintober and a Christmas special for this year. More drawings and engines are coming (I paused writing the first book of the Nowhere Model Railway Au to type this out), and I'm determined for 2026 to be more productive. If you're reading this, I'm proud of you, you've survived the absolute carnage of not just this year but the last half a decade. I once again invite everyone to Trainchat, the discord that I reside in bc I would have lost it this year without that amazing group of people. I normally keep real life off this page intentionally, but I felt it important to acknowledge that this year was through.

Thank you so much for all your support not just this year, but since this page started. I love all of you, and can't wait for us to see a better 2026.

Dry Rails and Smooth Running,

Hazel of Sodor

i know i disappeared off the face of the planet for a while and i’ve been absolutely awful at keeping in touch with so many of you, which i am so, so sorry for. i’ve been dealing with some health stuff that prompted me to take a social media break, but it was one of my new year’s resolutions to reconnect with you all. i’ve missed everyone so much. so to start 2024 off on the right foot, i thought i’d give you all a recap of the past six months! i also thought i owed y’all an explanation for why i disappeared for so long, so i included that below the cut (tw: health stuff - if you have health anxiety, don’t read - or if you’re just wanting some happy news, feel free to read the fun update instead!)

fun update

some amazing things have happened this year!

♥️ i graduated university with first-class-honors!

♥️ i got to meet some of my amazing internet friends in-person (shout out to @just-another-dreamerr <3)

♥️ i finally got my u.k. citizenship and decided to move to scotland on a more permanent basis (will be starting grad school in sept. 2024)

♥️ got to spend some quality time with my best friend before she moved across the country

♥️ rediscovered the joy of live music

♥️ received amazing recommendations from my professors for my grad school applications, which really helped validate my writing and made me smile for a week straight

♥️ i got to travel across europe with friends and family - saw some beautiful places, ate incredible food, and met some of the kindest, most generous people

♥️ got to witness my favorite football (soccer) team make it to playoffs

♥️ improved my crocheting so i now i get to make lots of little gifts for friends and family

♥️ finally found a curly hair routine i love!

I spoke the truth anakin is a slut and so is obi-wan and qui-gon and Dooku