London Underground poster, 1908

"No need to ask a policeman", a gouache by John Hassell (1868-1948); seen in the New York Transit Museum.

Pilsner Urquell 0-6-0 works shunter from 1957

Seen on display at the well-known Pilsner Urquell brewery - one German name that has not disappeared from the scene - in Pilsen.  The plate on the cab side states it was made by CSD Sokolovska in Prague.  Behind is an old wooden box car with the company's brand advertising on it.  The main railway line is nearby. (Geoff Churchman)

an old French postcard for the "Brasserie Bourgeoise" (Bürgerliches Brauhaus)

Pilsen trams, Czech Republic

Ferdinand Strasse obviously dates from before WW1

Ringplatz is now Namesti Republiky

two views of the City Theatre which still exists

Klattauer Strasse

the Adriatic Buffet to the left

a postcard from 1964

This city's electric tram system (standard gauge) has been operating since 1899 and is an important part of the city's public transport now as it has always been.  The city has been modernised considerably in the last 60 years, however, there is still a nicely preserved old town area centered around the Namesti Republiky (Republic Square) which contains St Batholomew's Church.

Until 1945 postcards were usually produced in German versions, but that year all German speakers were expelled from Czechoslavakia and all street signs became monolingual.


Preserved tram number 18, one of 20 delivered in 1899.  They had 18.4 kW motors and could accommodate 14 seated passengers and 12 standing. (Geoff Churchman)

two connected trams in Sady Petatricatniku in front of the Big Synagogue.  You wonder how many of the city's Jews were left to use it after the Nazi period (1939-1945) (Geoff Churchman)

A Tatra tram seen in Solni Prazka. (Geoff Churchman)

a recent VarioLF Plus tram seen in Prezovska. (Geoff Churchman)

great maritime songs - 9. 'Sailing' by Christopher Cross

Pennsylvania Railroad workshops, Cambridge, Ohio

A hand-tinted postcard, probably from the 1900s.  The Union Depot served both the PRR and the B&O, now history.

Wellington Harbour, late 1970s

Long before Te Papa was built.  A cruise ship is berthed at the Overseas Passenger Terminal.  For lots more, see the books Wellington: a Capital Century and NZ Maritime Images: the Golden Years.

stranded fishing boat

At least that's what it appears to be.  Was the girl in the front a crew member who lost her clothes in the incident?

the old Wellington Town Hall and Fire Station

The fire station was replaced by the present Art Deco building at the bottom of Kent Terrace in 1937.  The Town Hall still exists minus the portico and tower.  For lots more, see the book Wellington: a Capital Century.

vessels at the confluence of the Nive and Adour Rivers, Bayonne, France

An undated painting in the Basque museum in Bayonne, but looks late 19th century.

Liverpool trams, England

The city of Liverpool built one of Britain's largest tramway systems in the first half of the 20th century but after WW2 it was steadily closed by Steven Joyce types on the council and, as can be seen on the double decker tram, the system came to an end in 1957.

There have been proposals during the last decade for the introduction of a light rail system in the Mersey area but they have not proceeded further.  Info on the historic system is on this webpage.  See also the earlier post on the Liverpool Overhead Railway.