Saturday, February 29, 2020

traffic at Färjestaden, Sweden, early 20th century


On the island of Öland, a place named after the ferries that used to be the only connection to the mainland. Nowadays the car-bridge Ölandsbron connects the mainland with the island,

Næstved Station railyard, Denmark early 20th century


The station was established in 1870 and is still in active use.

Wednesday, February 26, 2020

Indonesian transport theme First Day Covers, 1964, 1998




The diesel locomotive in the 1964 envelope is a GE CC200: (slightly edited) info taken from the YouTube post:-

"CC200 15 was the last CC200 locomotive in running condition. It was used to haul cash collection service between Cirebon to Tanjungrasa. The type was the first mainline diesel locomotive to see service in Indonesia commissioned in 1953. Built by General Electric of USA, it was powered by an Alco 244 engine (when the GE-Alco partnership was still in place) and have "shovel nose" cab design, with carbody body design. The locomotives also had the unique wheel configuration of Co-2-Co, the only one of its kind in the world. The addition of the idle bogie in the middle was necessary as most mainlines in Java were lightly laid when the loco was introduced. When new, it was frequently employed to haul premier express trains on Java island on routes between Jakarta-Surabaya, Jakarta-Bandung, and many more. The locomotives's usage began to decline when spare parts supply for Alco 244 dried up, owing the decline and cessation of American Locomotive Company itself, added to by competition from newer types of diesel locomotives. The turbulent political situation in 1960s also hastened its decline from mainline work. For the remainder of 20th century the locomotives were employed to haul local or freight trains around Cirebon area. In the early 21st century, a preservation movement spearheaded by Indonesian Railway Preservation Society (IRPS), led by Widoyoko, successfully led to the saving of last 3 locos from the scrapper's torch. One loco (number 15) was even repainted to its (near) original livery, and kept in running condition with cannibalized spare parts from the other two (number 8 and 9). For several years, it was the mascot of the railway preservation movement, and burgeoning railway enthusiast activities in Indonesia. But the infighting within IRPS which led to expulsion of its founder, Widoyoko, plus ignorance among the younger generation meant the preservation of the CC200 was in limbo. Even no.s 8 and 9 were moved to Pengok locomotive works in Yogyakarta, allegedly to be scrapped. But thanks to caring railway employees, the locomotives soldiered on for several years before being withdrawn to the Indonesian Railway Museum in Ambarawa in 2016, where it is displayed now."

Monday, February 24, 2020

SS 'Minnesota' of the Chicago-Duluth Transit Co.


This sailed on Lake Superior. The full name of the operation was  Chicago, Duluth & Georgian Bay Transit Company, more info.

Friday, February 21, 2020

a bumble-bee beetle?


A 2002 VW Beetle atop a little mound and used to advertise the Honey Hive centre north of Taupo NZ  It is still used as a car.

Thursday, February 20, 2020

Wednesday, February 19, 2020

DIY rear spoiler


It's hard to see what it would achieve except invite derision.

Tuesday, February 18, 2020

General Motors announces the end of the Holden brand

from the ABC (Australia) website:

About 600 Holden employees will lose their jobs after parent company General Motors announced it would axe the iconic Australian car brand by the end of the year.

Key points:

  • The company pledged to provide at least 10 more years of customer service for Holden owners
  • GM executives said the brand was struggling in a fragmented right-hand drive market
  • Federal Industry Minister Karen Andrews said it was "unacceptable" the decision was made without consulting the Government
GM said the brand was no longer competitive in the current market and would be "retired" from sales, design and engineering across Australia and New Zealand by 2021.
The announcement drew criticism from the Government, with Prime Minister Scott Morrison saying he was angry the brand was allowed to "wither away".
About 800 Holden employees had remained in Australia, including 600 Melbourne workers focused on designing cars for the Australian market.
Full story

Sunday, February 16, 2020

NZR J class 2-6-0 steam locomotive with a train from Dunedin to Christchurch, early 20th century


The 33 of the 2-6-0 type that were built in 1874 and designated J class were the first engines in NZ to have a tender; the previous classes were all tank engines. 

The original caption of this press photo stated it was taken near Pelichet Bay, an inlet of the Otago Harbour which frequently silted up, especially after the causeway was built for the South Island Main Trunk Railway between Dunedin and Port Chalmers.

Reclamation began in 1913 and continued after WWI, at which time the area was linked with the central city by a tree-lined boulevard, Anzac Avenue, leading straight to Anzac Square and the Dunedin Railway Station. The area is now known as Logan Park.

1953 Bristol KSW5G bus


A still from the movie On the Buses (1971).

Saturday, February 15, 2020

1979 Chrysler Newport


According to the U.S. Inflation Calculator, $6,089 in 1979 is the equivalent of $21,636 now.

American middle class suburbia, 1962


It looks like the garage has been turned into an office for something.  No other info.

Friday, February 14, 2020

Ohakea Air Force base mural


Seen on an exterior wall of the McDonalds in nearby Bulls. That must be a Hercules C130 transport aircraft in the centre.

Thursday, February 13, 2020

Melbourne tram silver $10 coin


Issued in 1998; presumably its actual value was more than the face value.