Lookout Mountain, Tennessee, funicular, 1950s


It is still there, opened in November 1895, the second of two inclines constructed on Lookout Mountain; (the first was the Chattanooga and Lookout Mountain Railway, which operated from 1886 to 1898.) The incline railway is now operated by the Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority, the area's public transit agency.

It is about 1 mile (1.6 km) long from St. Elmo at its base to the summit of the mountain. It is claimed to be the steepest cable incline in the world, reaching a 72.7 percent gradient at one point. It is standard gauge, powered by two 100 hp winches developed by the Otis Elevator Company, and single track, except for a passing loop in the middle, allowing both counter-balanced trains to operate simultaneously. 

Thursday, May 30, 2019

1972 Datsun 240Z


(Spread from NZ Classic Car magazine)

1967 Bedford SB3 bus


Seen at the the now demolished Gibsons Motors depot in New Plymouth, June 1974. (Dudley Kirker pic)

traffic on Lambton Quay by the Midland Hotel, Wellington, late 1930s


A colorized tourist slide that was considered for, but not used in the book Wellington Transport Memories.  The State Fire Insurance building in the background was fairly new at the time, but was demolished and replaced with a high rise in the 1980s.

Wednesday, May 29, 2019

Tuesday, May 28, 2019

Ab x 2 in Christchurch, NZ, 1950


A train for Waipara hauled by Ab 688 steams out of Christchurch station past a waiting train for Ashburton with Ab 698 in front, March 1950.

NZR photo taken by staff photographer J. F. Le Cren. For lots more, see our books.

Danish 2-6-0 tank loco


It seems to be an HV3 class delivered to non-state lines in 1928-1929, seen here in Helsing¢r with presumably an excursion train.

It could be the same loco which is now part of the roster of the Bryrups-Vrads railway (see previous post).


Monday, May 27, 2019

a line of bullock powered cabs in Madeira, Portugal, early 20th century


Perhaps they were more plentiful than horses in that area.

27 May -- U.S. Memorial Day


This day is to honor armed services personnel killed on duty through history.  This poster is from WW2.

Star Wars steam power?


Sci-Fi and traditional terrestrial themes get combined in this painting by American artist David Tutwiler.

Veteranbanen Bryrup - Vrads, Denmark


This museum railway is run, like the many others in the world, by a group of enthusiasts who try to preserve the old railway equipment, buildings and facilities, and to maintain veteran railway operations.

The track is an approximately 5 km stretch of the old Horsens-Bryrup-Silkeborg Railway, rightly called "Denmark's Most Beautiful Railway" which was closed in 1968. But some of it remains with this trip which goes from Bryrup through a forest area past the lakes Kvindsø, Kulsø and Snabe Igelsø to Vrad station. (See this post from 2010).

The timetable can be found here.  Ticket prices and reservation can be found here.

"At Vrads Station you can enjoy delicious ice cream from the ice cream house, drink coffee and eat freshly baked cakes on the platform or sit in the fine old rooms and enjoy nice food made especially for you by the best ingredients." The website is here.

Sunday, May 26, 2019

New York shipping, early 20th century


Seen from the Brooklyn side with Manhattan in the background.

Thursday, May 23, 2019

SNCB class 20 electric, Belgium


Seen near Leignon. A total of 25 of this Co-Co type were built between 1975 and 1977. They had a 5150 kW output (continuous rating) and were the most powerful in Belgium for over 30 years.. All have now been scrapped.  More

northbound passenger train at Manarola, Italy


In a particularly scenic area on the Italian riviera known as the Cinque Terre and this pic near sunset is taken from another headland at the location shown below.

train passengers in NZ, 1950s, art


A Rita Angus watercolor considered for but not used in the book New Zealand Railway Memorabilia

Wednesday, May 22, 2019

1954 Moskvitch 422



The Soviet version of the American and European 'woody' van.  More pics

Horseshoe Curve, Arizona, 1920s


On the Phoenix-Globe Highway.  The cars look like they have been hand-drawn on.  It's probably a scene on what is now Highway 88, and it doesn't look much different today.

passenger liner in Algeciras, Spain


The extent of the info, but it won't be a recent scene.

freight train, Brazil


Of the former Rede Ferroviária Federal, Sociedade Anônima (RFFSA), location not stated.  Info

The locos look like SD40-2 for the 1600 mm broad gauge lines.

flatbed trailers in Copenhagen, Denmark, 1900s


All designed to be pulled by literal horsepower.  It looks like they are intended for a market in the Plads (square).

Saturday, May 18, 2019