Wednesday, May 31, 2017

an NZR F class with a mixed train crosses the Waimakariri Gorge bridge, circa 1900


This was on the section which linked Oxford at the end of a branch from the Main North Line and Sheffield (on the Midland Line) in Canterbury, but was one of the first lines to be closed, in the early 1930s.

See the book On the TransAlpine Trail for more.

NZR Standard railcar at New Plymouth, 1939


A total six of these A1-1A type diesel mechanical railcars were built by the Hutt workshops in 1938 and surprisingly four are preserved.  The original livery was silver with a green stripe.

This was one of a set of postcards issued at the time of the NZ Centennial Exhibition in 1940.  See earlier posts and our books.

Volvo B10M bus


In Newmans colours at the Flat Hills refreshment rooms on State Highway 1 in the central North Island.  For more, see our books.  (Wallace Trickett painting)

Sunday, May 28, 2017

horse and electric trams in Genova, Italy, 1900s


Info on the city's tramways, which lasted till 1966, here

SNCF sleeping car poster, 1970


Perhaps the reference to second class was intended to dispel a perception that you needed to be well-off to afford a berth as distinct from a seat. Although an SNCF poster, that was only mentioned in the small print.

'I like to read a book where it's peaceful'


Overseas National Airways DC-9-30 poster, 1966


This airline was based in New York and lasted from 1960 to 1986.

Info on the DC-9

Sri Lanka steam power stamps


Including a steam railcar ("Camel" should be spelled "Cammell"), a pic of it here.

Egypt destroys jihadist camps in Libya following another massacre of Egyptian Christians


Egyptian officials announced on Friday that the Armed Forces carried out six airstrikes on terrorist locations in Libya, reported AFP and local media.

The airstrikes, which reportedly struck positions in the Libyan city of Derna appeared to be confirmed by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi in a speech addressing the nation following the killing of 28 Coptic Christians by ISIS affiliates in the Egyptian city of Minya.

In his speech, Al-Sisi made multiple references to Libya and the threat ISIS and other terror organisations operating in the country poses to Egypt.

The Egyptian President said that in the last year, more than 1,000 vehicles used by terrorists to cross the border into Egypt had been destroyed. The President stressed that the aim of these groups is to bring Egypt down and that these groups believe that if Egypt falls, so too will the rest of the world.

At the end of his speech, the Egyptian President said that a strike had occurred, without stating where.

“There has been a strike and we won’t hesitate to carry out other strikes,” declared Sisi, who earlier said Egypt would strike terrorists wherever they are.

Saturday, May 27, 2017

the car doesn't fit


the former Callander and Oban Railway, Scotland



"The Callander and Oban Railway company was built with the intention of linking the sea port of Oban to the railway network. This involved a long line from Callander through wild and thinly populated terrain, and shortage of money meant that the line was opened in stages from 1866 to 1880.

"The line improved the economy of Oban, especially for the fishing trade and for tourism, but the winter traffic was limited. The company built a branch to Ballachulish, which included the construction of Connel Bridge, a remarkable bridge at Connel over Loch Etive. The branch opened in 1903, but although it opened up remote areas it was never commercially successful. It closed in 1966."



Southern Pacific tunnel motor exits the Donner Pass summit tunnel


An SD40T-2 with five other locomotives visible in the lead lash-up. There's a bit of snow in the background, but not a lot so probably late spring.

Thursday, May 25, 2017

1972 SEAT 127


Produced by the Spanish automaker between the spring of 1972 and 1982, based on the Fiat 127. A 4-door version appeared in 1973 (circa 1977 model below).


1955 Hillman Husky


"Look - what's in those cans over there, milk?"
"Maybe he's worried about the fuel supply."
"Hehe I bet he's been nicking petrol."

first British Railways electric locomotive for the Newhaven-Dieppe boat train, May 1949


This shows the third of the three Class 70 third-rail electrics, which was numbered 20003.  Info

sailing ships in Woolloomooloo Bay, Sydney, circa 1900


With what looks like a steam powered tug in the second berth further back.

1959 Renault Manoir


The Renault Manoir was a stationwagon derived from the Renault Frégate with "Transfluide" transmission which appeared in 1959 and was only built for 18 months.

Wednesday, May 24, 2017

Southern Railway, England, electric train poster, 1939


See earlier posts.

Les Pléiades concours de Ski poster, Switzerland, 1928


Showing the train timetable: Vevey-Blonay-Les Pléiades.

killer coffee and grenade mug


Ideal for Muslims?  Info

an exploding Muslim in Manchester, England kills 22 and injures 59; the threat level of more attacks is raised to critical


Britain has been overdue for such attacks and no-one should be surprised.
The suicide bomber responsible for the worst UK terror attack since the 7/7 atrocity 12 years ago was a British-born jihadi from a family of Libyan refugees, it emerged last night.
Salman Abedi, 22, was known to the security services before he walked into Manchester Arena on Monday night and detonated a bomb packed with nails, nuts and bolts, killing 22 people including children as young as eight.
There were claims that Abedi may have spent time in a Middle East conflict zone, where he may have received terrorist training, while it was also said he had only recently returned from a three-week trip to Libya days before the bombing.  Read more

Daily Mail (UK) reports

boats in Lake Baikal ice, Russia, 1900s