🩸 Derailed & Doomed: A Choo Choo Charles Survival Diary Log 6: Three Eggs and a Funeral (Probably)

“Two eggs to go. One murderous locomotive. And a sermon that really didn’t age well.”


🎥 Watch Log 6: Three Eggs and a Funeral (Probably)

Faith, Paint, and Poorly Sighted Cultists

With two eggs remaining, I decide I’m as ready as I’ll ever be. Time to face destiny — or at least, sprint toward it screaming.

The first target: the mine in the middle of the island. On the way, I stumble upon a church, complete with a sermon that sounds more like a cult recruitment speech than holy scripture. I also find a can of black paint — clearly divine intervention — so I treat my train to a new coat before heading inside the mine.

The cultists here… well, let’s just say the masks are doing more harm than good. One could’ve had a clean shot on me, but apparently, I was invisible. What begins as a stealth mission quickly devolves into “grab the egg and run.” I sprint out, bullets whizzing past, praying my train hasn’t wandered off without me. Once the shooting stops, I open the map, mark my train, and plan my route to the final mine.

The Bug Spray Revelation

Two mines down, two eggs in hand, one to go — and Charles knows it. His whistle cuts through the air as I make my way toward the last mine. This time, though, I’m prepared.

I’ve learned that the bug spray isn’t just for keeping his ugly mug at bay; it deals slow, steady chip damage if used sparingly. It’s not glamorous, but it’s something. I’ll need to remember this for our inevitable final showdown.

After a short skirmish, Charles retreats. I let him go — we’ll finish this soon enough.

The Final Egg

The southern mine awaits. Inside, I get another chance to show off my lockpicking skills — not that anyone’s watching. For a brief, glorious moment, I think the place might actually be abandoned.

Then I hear the whistling.

So, back to the classic strategy: Run. Grab. Run again. I burst out of the mine clutching the last egg, a cultist hot on my heels. Fortunately for me (and unfortunately for him), I reverse my train right over him. Efficient, if a little messy.

The three eggs are mine. One final stop remains — the shrine, the signal, the point of no return. Either I end Charles… or he ends me.

Next Stop: The Final Fight

I take one last look at the map. Every track, every encounter, every scrap of metal has led to this. The next log will be the last — one way or another.

It’s time to finish this.

Continue the journey:
Previous Log (Log 5) |
Final Log

The Curious Chaos Within

What does it mean to be a kid at heart?

To me, being a kid at heart means keeping that spark of curiosity alive — the same one that makes me explore every corner of a game map I clearly shouldn’t be in. It’s laughing when everything goes wrong, building forts out of whatever’s nearby, and still getting excited about fireflies, campfires, and finding snacks in unexpected places. Basically, it’s survival — but with a sense of wonder instead of panic.

(Also, kids nap. So technically, being a kid at heart means I’m just staying true to form.)

Coffee, Comfort, and Chaos

You have three magic genie wishes, what are you asking for?

Wish one: infinite coffee — survival fuel for both late-night writing and in-game near-death experiences.

Wish two: a portable base that works across every survival game I play. Same storage, same bedroll, no matter the planet, tundra, or haunted fishing town.

Wish three: immunity from permadeath — because I’d like to actually finish a game for once without something exploding, biting, or derailing me.

(If the genie can’t manage that, I’ll settle for a working flashlight and a full inventory upgrade.)

🩸 Derailed & Doomed: A Choo Choo Charles Survival Diary Log 5: Bob, Cultists & Chaos

“Apparently Charles had other plans today. Which is fine — I had a date with destiny… and Gertrude.”

⚙️ Survival Status: 3 Strikes Total
Only Charles can take them away.
Each egg restores a lost strike — but I can’t exceed three.
When the last one’s gone, the run ends.

Watch: Fighting Charles twice and storming the northern mine (Steam Deck Gameplay).

The Setup — Gertrude’s Gift & Gale’s Key

I half-expected to hear that ominous whistle the second I loaded in, but the island was unusually quiet. No ambush, no chase — just eerie calm. I took it as an omen (probably a bad one) and rolled out to find my next local resident: Gertrude. She asked me to retrieve her late husband’s weapon and name it BOB in his honour. Honestly, she could’ve asked me to name it after her cat and I’d still have agreed — I need firepower more than morals at this point.

Not far down the line, I met Gale, who kindly handed over the final key I needed to access the last egg mine. Suddenly, everything clicked into place: I had all three egg locations and the coordinates for my potential final weapon. The problem? Reaching them alive. Step one: get BOB.

Round One — Collecting BOB (and Unwanted Attention)

I arrived at the scrapyard where cultists had taken BOB and barely had time to blink before that familiar whistle echoed across the valley. I slammed the train into forward and grabbed the Bug Spray. No visual — so I backed up, regrouped, and tried again.

That’s when I discovered two things. One: my train is a surprisingly effective cultist-flattening machine. Two: overshooting the area guarantees a personal visit from Charles himself.

The ensuing fight was messy. The Bug Spray pushed him back; the machine gun chipped away; the Boomer — well, let’s say my aim was more “creative fireworks” than “effective combat.” Eventually Charles retreated, but I somehow triggered a second encounter almost instantly. Double chaos for the price of one. After the rematch, he finally slunk away to lick his metallic wounds.

With the area silent again, I cleaned up the last surviving cultist (the train helped) and looted every scrap in sight. And there it was — BOB, shiny and furious. Welcome to the team, you beautiful piece of overkill.

Island Decisions — Next Stop: The Egg Mines

I debated my next step. Theodore’s mission was still on the board, Sasha’s definitely wasn’t, and the thought of climbing cliffs for a single scrap felt… inefficient. The choice was clear: time to start collecting eggs.

Egg #1 — Northern Mine Mayhem

The northernmost mine seemed like the least terrible option. A lone cultist patrolled outside — I introduced them to BOB. Inside, I discovered something new: I could actually lean left and right. Whether it’s a mine-only feature or some unintentional stealth buff, I’ll test it later.

I crept through the tunnels, listening to a cultist whistle a cheerful little tune that made the situation feel way too casual. I tried sneaking past — failed spectacularly — and took a bullet for my efforts. Panic mode engaged. I sprinted, found the glowing egg, yanked a few random levers, and bolted for daylight.

One egg secured. One strike restored. Back to three lives remaining.

Log Observations & Survival Notes

  • BOB is a beast: Best used for short, devastating bursts. Don’t overheat it.
  • Bug Spray still reigns supreme: It’s the best tool for making Charles think twice.
  • Scrap remains sacred: You will always need more than you have.
  • Cultists aren’t bulletproof: Especially not when they meet the front of a train.
  • Leaning in mines helps: It might not save you, but it makes dying funnier.

Pro Tips (Steam Deck Edition)

  • Use gyro aiming if you can — it helps land those tricky shots with the Boomer.
  • Don’t linger near cultist camps — they hear the train before you see them.
  • BOB + Bug Spray combo = panic fire supremacy.
  • Take fights on straight track when possible — easier weapon tracking, safer retreats.
  • After Charles retreats, loot nearby paths fast — his cooldown window is short.

Need a guide? Explore every stop, scrap pile, and spider sighting with the Aranearum Island Map Guide — your unofficial atlas to surviving the rails.


My Inventory Is Family

Describe a family member.

The closest thing I have to a family member in my daily routine is my inventory screen. It nags me when I carry too much, reminds me I’m starving, and never forgets that one ruined can of peaches from 20 days ago. Reliable, slightly judgmental, and always there when I need it — basically family.

(We don’t talk about the time I accidentally ate the raw meat.)

Six Months of Chaos: A Survivor’s Milestone

[Signal detected…]

Six months ago, I started this little corner of chaos thinking I’d maybe post a few survival stories, get a handful of clicks, and quietly freeze to death somewhere in The Long Dark. Back then, it was just me, a Nintendo Switch, and the idea of documenting how many ways I could die before breakfast.

Since then, the blog’s grown far beyond what I expected — from Switch survival diaries to Steam Deck expeditions, from small guides to full-blown playthroughs and embracing chaos. And somehow, it’s still alive — which feels like a small miracle, considering most blogs don’t make it past the first few months. Hundreds of clicks, countless laughs, and a few subscribers later, I’m still here — fuelled by caffeine and questionable decisions.

So first and foremost — thank you. Whether you’ve clicked, read, liked, shared, or just wandered in wondering how someone can die to a rabbit, I appreciate every single bit of support.

Transmission #0 – Reverse Voice Reveal

To mark the occasion, I decided to put together a short video. Some of you might’ve thought this would finally be my voice reveal. To that I say… really?

A brief burst of static, gratitude, and one very loud Godpigeon scream. Full credit, of course, to the brilliant Animaniacs team for that glorious noise.

Fuel for the Generator

I’ve also quietly launched a Ko-fi page — emphasis on quietly. I didn’t make a big announcement about it because I didn’t want it to feel like a sales pitch. Everything I create will always stay free to read and free to enjoy. That’s a promise.

I know times are tough and not everyone can spare a few pounds — and that’s perfectly fine. Your clicks, comments, and time already mean more than enough. The Ko-fi page is just there for anyone who genuinely wants to toss a tip into the mug to help keep the coffee flowing and the generator humming. Please don’t go overboard; keep the lights on at home first.

Down the line, I might look at adding a few ads on the blog or YouTube channel, but I’ll do my best to keep them minimal and non-intrusive. I’d rather focus on sharing stories and surviving the next storm than filling screens with banners and pop-ups.

Looking Ahead

There’s still a lot left to explore — new games, new disasters, same portable chaos. I’m excited (and mildly terrified) to see what the next six months bring.

So here’s to six months of frostbite, fuel shortages, and unexpected victories — and here’s to making it a full year of portable chaos. Thank you for being part of this weird, wonderful journey.

[Transmission terminated. Coffee levels: critical.]

🎥 Survivor’s Shorts – The Reaper Leviathan Found Me


“I saw it. It saw me. I screamed louder.”

You know that moment in Subnautica when you realise the ocean doesn’t just want you gone — it wants to make a spectacle out of it? This was mine.

Recorded on Steam Deck, this short captures my first (and very unwanted) close encounter with a Reaper Leviathan. Let’s just say I left the area faster than the PDA could update my vitals — and somehow survived with a sliver of health left.

From: Submerged: A Subnautica Survival Diary – Log 3
Platform: Steam Deck
Series: Survivor’s Shorts

Sometimes survival isn’t about bravery. It’s about panic-swimming in the opposite direction and hoping the monster gets bored first.

Running for My Life — Digitally

What is your favorite form of physical exercise?

Does running from virtual wolves count? Because if so, I’ve clocked enough cardio in The Long Dark to qualify for the Olympics. Real-world me prefers walks — usually with a podcast or just the sound of rain. It’s less “gym grind” and more “calm before the next survival disaster.”

(Exercise is just stealth training with extra steps.)

🩸 Derailed & Doomed: A Choo Choo Charles Survival Diary Log 4: Pickles, Papers, and Payback

Platform: Steam Deck |

Apex Predator Rule: Three strikes to start. Only Charles can take them.
Each egg restores one — never more than three total.

“I knew I shouldn’t have trusted the lady obsessed with pickles. Or the one hunting Slender Man. But hey—scrap is scrap.”

🎥 Survivor’s Reel: Log 4 – Pickles, Papers, and Payback (No Commentary)

The Pickle Lady Cometh

My first stop was a house belonging to someone I can only describe as the Pickle Lady. According to her, there’s “one last jar of pickles” hidden deep in her pickle cave. She wanted me to retrieve it, and honestly, the promise of scrap was enough for me to overlook how absolutely unhinged she seemed.

Charles, mercifully, must have agreed—because he didn’t interrupt this one. Maybe even he thought, “Yeah, she’s crazy,” and decided to give me a pass. Pickles retrieved, reward collected, and my sanity mostly intact.

The Slender Situation

Next up was Sasha, who casually informed me that the Slender Man was also apparently hanging around the island. She’d already collected eight pages and wanted me to grab the next set. Logical, right? Because clearly, one supernatural monster just isn’t enough.

Unfortunately, the universe had other plans. No sooner had I finished talking to her than that familiar whistle pierced the air. Charles. I bolted for my train, but he was faster. The beast blindsided me and shredded my health bar like paper. Charles earns his first win. Two chances left.

Still annoyed—and slightly traumatized—I decided to humor Sasha anyway. I managed to grab three pages before some unseen Slender-like presence told me to “go away.” Quest abandoned. Sanity preserved.

Bridge Over Terrifying Waters

After a quick recovery, I shifted gears and tracked down Santiago’s journal. Delivered it safely—though apparently, I could’ve snooped inside first. Missed opportunities, I guess. My next stop was Eugene’s son, who still believes his father is alive and well on the mainland. I didn’t have the heart to correct him.

He handed me a set of explosives and outlined the island’s master plan: lure Charles onto a wooden bridge, blow it sky-high, and end this nightmare once and for all. It’s a bold plan. Questionable, sure—but bold. I now have the temple key for when it’s time to place the eggs and start the final battle.

Preparing for Round Two

As the day closed, I parked the train near a resident’s home rumored to hold another weapon. After my last run-in with Charles, I’m more than ready to upgrade my firepower. Whether or not I get a moment’s peace to actually do it—that’s another story.

For now, I’ve survived long enough to plan my next move. But I can’t shake the feeling that Charles is circling again, waiting for round two.

Continue the journey:
Log 3: Explosions and Evasion |
Log 5 (Coming Soon)

Zero-G, Zero Plan

How much would you pay to go to the moon?

Depends — does the ticket include a return journey and snacks? Because if not, I’m going to need a serious discount. Honestly, I’d rather explore a digital moon first; fewer airlock malfunctions, and I can pause when I inevitably forget my oxygen tank. But if we’re talking real life? Maybe a fiver — provided I can blog about it and call it “The Long Dark: Lunar Edition.”

(Portable chaos, but with zero gravity.)

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