Monday, February 9, 2026
an NZR Fiat railcar model
Sydney double-decker Leyland Titan bus in 1969
El Ateneo Grand Splendid, Buenos Aires, Argentina is considered the world's most beautiful bookstore
None of us have visited it in person, but the photos cause a 'wow' reaction. Lots more here
Sunday, February 8, 2026
1960 Morris 702 bus in Palmerston North NZ
It's unclear if it was a municipal-owned bus, but that's likely. It has Hawke B35D bodywork and the driver stands with Omnibus Manager Reg Crutchley (right) in The Square, where buses operated from.
Saturday, February 7, 2026
Wellington trams on Waitoa Road, late 1950s
The motorman or conductor standing by the tram on the left suggests this was especially posed. This is on the eastern side of the former tram tunnel (now bus tunnel) under Mt Victoria. For lots more get the books Wellington Transport Memories and Wellington: a Capital century.
Greek Mikado
It was designed for the United States Army Transportation Corps (USATC) and used in at least 24 countries. Greece's 7108 was used on the meter-gauge lines of the Hellenic Railways Organization (OSE).
Friday, February 6, 2026
the end of NZR's Foxton branch, 1959
The end of the 31 km branch line in both senses.
A Bb with a handful of goods wagons and a guard's van (caboose) sit beside the station building at Foxton. A ceremonial last run was made with passenger cars.
The below aerial pic of May 1951 shows where the station and the goods shed were at the north end of Harbour Street in relation to Main Street (on the left) and the Manawatu River which has since silted up a lot — as a result the big red shed on the edge of the river, which still exists, is now about 30 metres from it.For lots more see our books, particularly New Zealand 1950s Steam in Colour compiled from the Derek Cross collection.
The first tram in Novosibirsk, Russia
Baboushkas inside the first tram.
The maximum length of the tram tracks was reached in 1987 at 191.4 km. There has been no tram connection across the Ob river since 1992, when tram tracks on the Kommunalny Bridge were dismantled (there was the same situation in the period 1940-1955 before the opening of the Kommunalny Bridge).
Thursday, February 5, 2026
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
Soviet poster featuring the Tupolev ANT-14
"The ANT-14 was a larger version of the ANT-9, with a 40.4 m wingspan, compared to the 23.8-meter span of the ANT-9. Powered by five 358 kW (480 hp) Gnome-Rhône Jupiter 9AKX radial engines, it was capable of carrying a crew of three, as well as 36 passengers, at a maximum speed of 236 km/h (147 mph). However, its cruise speed was only 195 km/h (121 mph). Empty weight was 10,650 kg (23,480 lb) and the maximum takeoff weight was 17,146 kg (37,800 lb). The ANT-14 had a range of 900 km (559 miles), and an operational ceiling of 4,220 meters (13,845 ft). It had a non-retractable tailwheel undercarriage whose main gear consisted of dual (fore-aft) wheels."
Soviet aviation propaganda poster, interwar years
“Proletarian woman, master aviation equipment! Join the schools, colleges and technical universities of the civil air fleet!”
meter-gauge Zurich tram line-up, 1982
Tuesday, February 3, 2026
private bus company buses, Penrith, Sydney, 1970
Nearer the camera is Hunters Hill Bus Company Leyland Leopard 5377 with a body built by Coachmaster on 24-4-1970 showing Hunters Hill Coaches, with a Charter sign.
Bales of Penrith's Bedford SB5 4827 Custom Coaches from 10-9-1964 on Route 215 to Bel-Air is alongside outside the railway station, Jane and Belmore Streets, Penrith. (John Ward pic via City of Sydney Archives)
1935 Leyland Cub Parlour Coach
A pic taken on a Wellington wharf, who by is unknown. This was typically built on a Leyland Cub KPO3 chassis, featuring a 4.4-litre diesel engine and seating for around 20 passengers.
For more, see here
an 0-4-4T 'Forney' type steam locomotive displayed outside the main station of Havana, Cuba
Locomotive 1205 is displayed in a park area near the main railway terminus (Havana Central Station/Cristina Station). It was built in 1905 by H.K. Porter Inc of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, construction number: 3345.
"It served for approximately a century at the Central Toledo sugar mill (later renamed the Manuel Martínez Prieto mill following the Cuban Revolution), where it was designated as No. 6.
"While it has been painted and restored for display, it is missing some original components such as internal plumbing, its bell, and certain decorative jewelry." (via Google Earth)
Monday, February 2, 2026
1939 Chrysler De Luxe coupe
Seen at one of Napier NZ's Art Deco annual festivals. This year's happens next week.
ships at the establishment of the Javakade in Amsterdam, 1910s
"The Javakade is located on Java Island in Amsterdam's Eastern Docklands. From 1910, the Dutch Steamship Company (SMN) established itself here, providing warehouses, workshops, and accommodations for Indonesian sailors. The Javakade was the departure point for ships bound for the Dutch East Indies.
"The SMN transported passengers, mail, and goods such as rubber, tin, spices, and coffee between the Netherlands and the colony. The Javakade was a hub in this colonial infrastructure.
"After the Japanese surrender in 1945, the Indonesian struggle for independence began. Dutch troops and goods were transported to Indonesia via the Javakade and SMN ships for the so-called "police actions."
"Trade with Indonesia largely ceased in the 1950s. The SMN withdrew from Java Island, and the area fell into disrepair until it was redeveloped into a residential area in the 1990s." (tracesofwar.com)
Sunday, February 1, 2026
NZR English Electric 3-car multiple unit on the bridge over the Pauhatanui inlet, Wellington NZ
Probably an NZR photo circa 1950. (Colorized)
Chrysler vehicles of 1966 in Masterton NZ
Chrysler Valiant (Australia), Humber (Super Snipe?) and a Dodge truck. (Trev Jones pic)