Friday, December 31, 2021
1974 Austin Marina, American advert
According to the U.S. inflation calculator, that price would be the equivalent of $16,344 now.
Thursday, December 30, 2021
mining train tracks at Broken Hill, Australia, circa 1910
Often called the Silver City, the town has since the 1880s been the base of not only mining for silver, but also lead and zinc. See earlier posts.
West German 01 class Pacific with a passenger train at Weiden in 1969
The Deutsche Reichsbahn-Gesellschaft’s BR 01 steam locomotives were the first standardized (Einheitsdampflokomotive) steam express passenger locomotives. The idea behind standardization is to reduce cost and make repairs easier and quicker. A total of 231 examples were built by companies across Germany. They had the 4-6-2 “Pacific” wheel arrangement in the Whyte notation, or 2′C1′ h2 in the UIC classification.
From 1938 there were 231 BR 01 locomotives available for prestigious express train duties across Germany. The 10 four-cylinder BR 02 locomotive version (01 111, 01 233–241) were converted to two-cylinder BR 01 models between 1937 and 1942. Since there were so many routes that still had axle load restrictions, which were too low for the 01 service, in the early 1930s, a third variant was produced: the BR 03 designed with a two-cylinder engine and axle load of 18 ton. A total of 298 BR 03 locomotives where built. Launched in 1939, the three-cylinder DRG Class 01.10 was a further development of the 01.
British Railways class 310 (AM10) electric multiple unit
Art by Laurie Bagley which was on the cover of Model Railway News magazine, April 1966.
Egypt spends up big on railways
CAIRO – 28 December 2021: Minister of Transportation Kamel al-Wazir stated Tuesday that LE1.7 trillion ($US 106.25 billion) were spent on railways development in the past few years, pointing out that Egypt used to have a shortage of 600 railcars but that is no longer the case.
Wazir said that by 2024, when the population hits 108 million, 13,000 kilometers of railroads would be developed and doubled, and that Egypt would be having 1,050 train engines, 4,316 railcars, and over 5,000 freight railcars.
The minister further highlighted that Egypt is introducing for the first time ever air-conditioned third-class railcars, as there are 500 of them from Transmash holding. As for the seven Talgo trains, Wazir said that the ministry contemplates partnering up with private investors to operate them.
Regarding the localization of locomotive industries, the transportation minister clarified that the renovation of some of the existing railcars is carried out at Kom Abou Rady workshops. He added that both Egyptian and global companies are carrying out the automation of signaling systems, whose cost is LE50 billion ($3.1 billion).
Wazir disclosed at the end of his presentation that a control center that is connected to the entire railways network is being established at Cairo’s Ramses Station. He also showcased that train stations at rural areas are being renovated within the Decent Life initiative, which will be conclude in 2024.
Wazir said that by 2024, when the population hits 108 million, 13,000 kilometers of railroads would be developed and doubled, and that Egypt would be having 1,050 train engines, 4,316 railcars, and over 5,000 freight railcars.
The minister further highlighted that Egypt is introducing for the first time ever air-conditioned third-class railcars, as there are 500 of them from Transmash holding. As for the seven Talgo trains, Wazir said that the ministry contemplates partnering up with private investors to operate them.
Regarding the localization of locomotive industries, the transportation minister clarified that the renovation of some of the existing railcars is carried out at Kom Abou Rady workshops. He added that both Egyptian and global companies are carrying out the automation of signaling systems, whose cost is LE50 billion ($3.1 billion).
Wazir disclosed at the end of his presentation that a control center that is connected to the entire railways network is being established at Cairo’s Ramses Station. He also showcased that train stations at rural areas are being renovated within the Decent Life initiative, which will be conclude in 2024.
Wednesday, December 29, 2021
1930s Los Angeles traffic, colorized
The throngs of people on the sidewalks aren't something you experience today.
PKP (Poland) baggage car model
Tuesday, December 28, 2021
Monday, December 27, 2021
Cape to Cairo railway trading card early 20th century
The top part of the card seemingly depicts the part nearest to Cairo. The dream for a railway from north to south from Cairo (Caire) to Capetown (La Ville du Cap) as shown on the map was never fully realised.
Chilean electric loco
A metre-gauge Trans-Andean electric locomotive 101 at Los Andes in 1978. There were three of these rack and adhesion electrics, numbers 101 - 103, built by the Swiss SLM (works numbers 3069 - 3071) in 1925. The current supply was 3,000 Volts DC. (SBB Historic) (See earlier post)
Sunday, December 26, 2021
Ithaca Street Railway, New York
"The electric system was replaced in July 1892 with a conventional single-wire current (Sprague system) with a trolley pole, using the rails for the current ground. This followed the acquisition in 1891 of the railway by the Hand and Bergholtz (an electrical engineer) consortium.
"The current was D.C., probably 500 volts. The main line was double-tracked in 1914. The last run on the main line was 22 June 1935, with brief reprieve for the 4th of July weekend. The photo shows a post-1914 (double-tracking) car heading down W. State St, perhaps at Albany St, towards the “R”ailway stations."
Friday, December 24, 2021
Christmas wishes to our readers
The world has been as bizarre in 2021 as it was in 2020 if not more so, and unfortunately next year promises to be little different. You wonder if this experience is going to be repeated every time there is a new virus.
The biggest project for us this year was the huge 328 page book Home Boats which we produced for author Nick Tolerton, and as it is probably the last lavish glossy coffee table-style encyclopedia to be produced on New Zealand maritime history, we gave it the max to ensure all the pictures, the majority in colour, were as good as we could get them.
It covers all the British shipping companies that sent ships to New Zealand and their ships, crew life and memorabilia.
This time it was all done remotely, we didn't physically meet Nick once.
So if you have a book project, no matter where you are, get in touch.
We wish all readers a pleasant period of catching up with family, relaxing and recuperation from the travails the politicians of world have given you, and hope 2022 will be better.
Thursday, December 23, 2021
double-headed steam train at Hieflau, Austria, 1969
The first looks like a 52 class Kriegslok (see earlier).
cruiser 'Königsberg' spotted art
"
Cut off from supply in the Rifiji River of East Africa, the German light Cruiser SMS Königsberg is spotted by a scout plane during her eight-month standoff with British cruisers. Ultimately, two shallow-draft river monitors did get close enough to bombard and sink the Königsberg in July, 1915."
Cut off from supply in the Rifiji River of East Africa, the German light Cruiser SMS Königsberg is spotted by a scout plane during her eight-month standoff with British cruisers. Ultimately, two shallow-draft river monitors did get close enough to bombard and sink the Königsberg in July, 1915."
What aircraft is it? Painting by Tom Freeman, available commercially as a print.
Wednesday, December 22, 2021
the Southern Hemisphere’s first electric ferry is launched in Wellington, NZ
The first fully electric, high speed passenger ferry in the southern hemisphere was officially launched Tuesday in Wellington, where the locally built vessel will take commuters across Wellington Harbour (Te Whanganui-a-Tara.)
Constructed by the Wellington Electric Boat Building Company, the 19-metre Ika Rere (fast fish) is powered by Meridian Energy for Metlink public transport services and owned and operated by East by West Ferries.
East by West managing director Jeremy Ward said the ferry had energised his company’s vision of Wellington as a sustainable, smart city.
“Complementing our goal of using Wellington’s harbour-based geography to reduce transport emissions, Ika Rere will also deliver a comfortable and reliable service for passengers.
“Her electric power unit is quieter and smoother with fewer moving parts than a diesel engine. That means less maintenance and less disruption to the sailing schedule.”
Made from carbon fibre, the light yet durable catamaran can transport up to 132 passengers at a speed of 20 knots. East by West’s existing diesel-powered vessels are slower and carry a third fewer passengers.
Queensland Railways C16 class 4-8-0 steam locomotive
A total of 152 of this class were built between 1903 and 1918, one was preserved. No.105 is seen at the wayside location of Victoria near Mackay in 1953. (Graham Ahern)
Bluebell Railway and Bluebells, England
Lots more on the FB page
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