Monday, November 30, 2020
Pellarini PL-11 Airtruck
This was the second of two topdressing aircraft manufactured in New Zealand, photographed at a farm airstrip at Kowhiterangi in 1966 by Craig Bell. It was written off following a crash the following year -- details here
Details of the aircraft are here.
Sunday, November 29, 2020
Preserved steam on the Lakeside and Haverthwaithe Railway, England
Headed by an early 1950s BR Fairburn 4MT 2-6-4 tank engine. A total 277 of them were built after WW2.
Saturday, November 28, 2020
NZR Auckland suburban train hauled by a Wab, 1929
En route from Auckland to Henderson, seen near the Grafton station. A Google Earth reference for the McNiven building in the background which still exists, is here.
For lots more, see our books.
NSW 46 class electrics
Two seen with the Indian Pacific between Westmead and Wentworthville in greater Sydney. No date - 1970s? See the book Railway Electrification in Australia and New Zealand for more. (Alan Greenhill pic)
UK motorway speeds get cut from 70 mph to 60 mph
In 2019, the transport sector accounted for 34% of the UK’s total carbon emissions, according to GOV.UK. It’s also the UK’s largest producer of emissions.
The UK has set itself an ambitious target to become a zero-carbon country by 2050.
But we won’t reach that target unless the government takes greater action. That’s according to Energy Institute’s Energy Barometer report.
To that end, Highways England has cut the speed limit on certain sections of motorway to 60 mph.
This is part of a trial that it hopes will help bring road emissions down to legal levels.
But one in four (26%) people think it’s not worth the inconvenience*.
Friday, November 27, 2020
Blue Funnel Line poster
No date but judging by the mere three digit phone number quoted it goes back a fair way. Info -- and plenty of pics -- on the line are contained on this page
Thursday, November 26, 2020
Wednesday, November 25, 2020
The 'Seasider' and the 'Taieri Gorge' tourist trains of Dunedin return this summer
Škoda to supply new NZ Police cars
(Media release)
After General Motors announced it was pulling Holden out of the Australasian market, Police went to tender for a new preferred supplier.
“With more than 2000 primary response vehicles currently in action, selecting a new supplier provides an important opportunity to reduce carbon emissions and ensure value for money across our fleet,” says Commissioner Coster.
Throughout the tender process, two Škoda Superb models stood out as ideal primary response vehicles.
“Frontline staff said they handled well and they felt confident and safe driving the vehicle,” he says.
“They liked the large doors with a wide opening range, easy-to-read instruments, front and rear visibility, and the spaciousness of the rear passenger area.”
The average CO2 emissions for all fleet vehicles in New Zealand is 180.7 grams per kilometre, while the Superbs sit on the greener side at 162 for the 162KW model and 176 for the 206KW.
ENDS
What was the evaluation criteria?
Each vehicle was tested against a rigorous set of criteria. Mandatory criteria included radio interference, performance and brake testing. Non-price attributes (such as emissions and service capability) accounted for 20 per cent of the weighting, physical testing accounted for 40 per cent (such as road testing), and the total cost of ownership accounted for the final 40 per cent.
Police has a small number of electric and hybrid cars for use in non-operational roles. Police intends to expand the number of low/no-emission vehicles through the annual replacement programme.
Police cars and car-based models are considered for replacement at an average age of six to seven years or once the clock up 120,000 km, whichever comes first.
Holden dealerships are not disappearing completely. Holden will remain available to service Police vehicles for the next ten years. However, should it happen that a Holden service agent is no longer available, Police will continue to work with its partners to maintain the servicing requirements for its operational fleet.
What is Police’s 10-year plan to an emissions-free fleet?
New Zealand Police is in the process of developing a 10-Year Fleet strategy (2020-2030), which will outline a roadmap to reducing CO2 emissions and improve sustainability across the Police fleet over the next decade.
This evaluation gave Police some real experience with electric and hybrid vehicles and provided practical learnings for their future implementation. While the technology does not currently align with Police’s core business requirements, EVs and hybrids will continue to be tested as the technology improves in terms of vehicle performance and range.
Police will actively introduce more electric and hybrid vehicles into its fleet for use in non-operational roles from 2021.
How many vehicle submissions did Police receive?
The Request for Proposals (RFP) received submissions from seven suppliers with 27 different vehicles. 12 shortlisted vehicles underwent a process to physically assess a broad range of criteria necessary to perform as a Prime 1 Patrol vehicle (primary response vehicle). When all criteria were considered the two Škoda Superb models ranked the highest.
Tuesday, November 24, 2020
Moscow trolleybus farewell, Russia
Moscow's transport department said it plans to keep one trolleybus route running as a tribute to the system, with two retro trolleybuses taking passengers from Komsomolskaya Square to Novoryazanskaya Ulitsa, where the second trolleybus route was opened in 1937.
More pics on this webpage.
Monday, November 23, 2020
Southbound Christchurch-Invercargill express at Ashburton, April 1959
Pic by Leslie Adkin (1888-1964) -- biography.
For lots more photos like this one, see the book New Zealand 1950s Steam in Colour
LMS 'Royal Scot' poster illustration, 1938
This poster was part of a series created by author Enid Blyton in collaboration with a number of well known illustrators of the time including Kathleen Nixon, William Fyffe, Ernest Aris, Raymond Shepherd et al. They were designed as teaching aids to create discussion in school classrooms.
The 'ten-wheeler' type LMS Royal Scot class consisted of 70 -- built by North British Locomotive Company (50) and the LMS, Derby Works (20) in 1927 and 1930. They were rebuilt from 1943 to 1955.
More info
Sunday, November 22, 2020
buses in Tainui Street, Greymouth NZ, 1960s
The red buses belonged to the Kennedy's fleet; there is also a blue and cream NZR Road Services bus visible. (Gary Boucher collection)
two bridges, one steam train at Greymouth NZ
Saturday, November 21, 2020
Peru railway centenary medallion 2008
Produced for the centenary of the railway from Lima to Huancayo. Reaching a maximum altitude of nearly 16,000 feet, this is the highest altitude railway in the Western Hemisphere.
Friday, November 20, 2020
Thursday, November 19, 2020
Wednesday, November 18, 2020
MV 'Mahout' (1963~1968) MV 'Evagelia S.' [+1982]
Tuesday, November 17, 2020
Mt Panorama, Bathurst NSW racing, Australia, 1946
Monday, November 16, 2020
Qantas turns 100
Says CEO Alan Joyce, "... this has probably been the toughest year in our long history, [but] it’s also a timely reminder of how far we’ve come.
"From humble beginnings in outback Queensland, carrying mostly mail, we grew to become the national carrier, flying 50 million people a year. We’ve been there through war, natural disaster and national celebration. We’ve pushed the boundaries of endurance to take generations of Australians all over the world, and bring them safely home again.
"We’ve had the honour of being part of so many journeys – including yours. And that’s what pushes us forward.
"So, in marking the day in 1920 when two recently returned WW1 servicemen and a local grazier decided to start an airline, we acknowledge the huge contribution of all those who have helped make Qantas the Spirit of Australia."
Sunday, November 15, 2020
Voroshilov funicular, Sochi, Russia, early 1930s
Saturday, November 14, 2020
Friday, November 13, 2020
1956 Heinkel Kabine 200 microcar
Thursday, November 12, 2020
Veterans' Day -- a fitting locomotive paint-scheme
An SD70ACe of the Montana Rail Link (MRL) in Missoula, Montana, from the Railfan and Railroad magazine -- more