APOLLO

Hymek & Gronk at Radstock Radstock North (S & D) station, 29/12/67. Shunter D3185 waits for the crossing gates to be opened so that it can use the new spur onto North Somerset Line with coal from Writhlington Colliery, Hymek D7031 waits in the platform to head down to the site of the track lifting on the former S & D route, 29/12/67. Brit15

I've modelled in N American 2 rail O gauge since 1982. Atlas (old and new), Rivarossi, Weaver and a few other makes, all run on Peco O track and most have kadee couplers. No problems (or well, just occasionally !!). I also have never fathomed 3 rail, high rail O27, O72 etc etc. More like toy trains to me, short, stubby, no detail and more than twice the price - no thanks. You need to be particularly careful when buying, especially on ebay to ensure the item IS 2 rail, but I've had had few if any problems in this respect. I just do not like / understand this 3 rail millarkey.

Found this very interesting video last night after getting fed up with watching the news. Better days. Brit15

BL were ahead in a few areas, Hydrogas suspension being one. I bought a new Princess 1800HL back in 1975, yes the engine was dated but the suspension, road handling and ride was superb. I'll not knock BL, not the best, not the worst & still have a 1973 Rover V8 in my garage. 50 years old in June. Just read this https://oilprice.com/Metals/Commodities/EV-Battery-Costs-Could-Surge-By-22.html Brit15

Just watched it, very interesting. Parts are a little over my head (I'm an engineer not a banker) but the European banks (etc) reminds me of the words in the title song of "The Italian Job" - This is the self wealth preservation society !!! A great part of the worlds woes lies on the shenanigans and greed of the worlds banks (etc), especially the large international ones. I'm glad we never joined the Euro, we certainly dodged a bullet there. Brit15

Also in my temp folder for viewing

Indeed there are. But how many of these very vocal activists are experienced and qualified in the fields of energy / transport / climate etc and have any real idea of the problems and solutions, thus are worth listening to ? A very small % I would say, and definitely not the orange paint brigade etc. I have stated my experience as a qualified energy engineer at the sharp end of the gas industry. I know many of the energy problems we all face going forward. There are lots of practical and viable answers, none of which will be easy or affordable for many. Energy is life. Leave the country folks alone, a miniscule part of the problem (like model railway exhibitions). Lets start by getting these two wars stopped before they escalate. A Win for everyone on this planet. Move forward from there. Brit15

So glad I'm 71 and have seen and achieved what I have and helped to build this countries infrastructure over my lifetime. So glad my children are dual nationals and have a sunny pleasant alternative country to live in if / when it all goes tts up here. (Though every country has problems to varying degrees) God help us Brits in the future. The powers that be have set us against each other - that is all part of their plan. Brit15

So cram us all into a 15 minute city . This is the future ? Brit15

Fine - YOU pay for it then, not me. Other countries are not even remotely interested in listening, such virtue signalling is a waste of time (and costly to all). Brit15

Rural folk / lifestyle is a very, very small % of the environmental (etc) problem. Barking up the wrong tree. I'm not a Climate Change / Global Warming denier, indeed the ever increasing millions (billions) of tons of CO2 (etc) we worldwide shove into the atmosphere since the dawn of the industrial revolution certainly does no good (Though CO2 is a plant food and a %PPM in our atmosphere is necessary). I do feel the subject is way over egged, being constantly rammed down our ears at every opportunity by folk who don't know the difference between Gas and Paraffin (old gas mans saying !!). But we are where we are. Environment / energy is a world wide problem needing worldwide solutions, and some TRUTH telling is desperately needed, especially regarding oil and natural gas reserves and supply. We here in the UK cannot and should not Champion the world on this whilst the USA, China, India, Russia etc just do not seem to care. The developed west is rapidly running out of sustainable & affordable energy, especially oil and gas. Just look at Germany who has shot itself in the foot energy wise (getting rid of nuclear) - but still burns large amounts of dirty coal (Lignite), we in the UK increasingly have a gun pointed at ours (especially gas). Yes renewables are a good thing, but they just don't have the clout or reliability that oil & gas does. Real time UK electricity generation. 35% gas right now, 24% wind, 7% solar etc etc. (Varies by the minute) https://electricinsights.co.uk/#/dashboard?&_k=xqz5bd The blowing up of the two Nord Stream pipelines from Russia has certainly caused many problems in Europe, with many more to come as winter approaches. Similar trouble with a gas pipeline to Finland this week also. Energy is being weaponised. I've spent 40 odd years planning / managing gas main replacement, development of the gas network etc. Our gas transmission and distribution networks have being sold off recently by the National Grid (who took over after British Gas was split up). Indeed the (once) Jewel in the crown, the National gas transmission system just being sold to overseas venture vulture capitalists of dubious intentions. Gas (and oil) is being increasingly demonised etc by the climate change mantra, weaponised by various nations. There is NO affordable alternative to gas (especially for home heating) here in the UK. (Please don't mention heat pumps !!). And finally I must mention the push to 15 minute cities, the World Economic Forum, ULEZ, you name it. I'm increasingly of the thinking that the powers that be (the REAL ones with clout) full well know what is happening regarding energy etc and are adjusting and introducing policies they deem appropriate, and brainwashing us accordingly. Brit15

I would but unfortunately the old girl blew up the NOX meter !!!!!!!!!!!! She has depleted a few oil fields in her time !!!!! Brit15

Problem this last year or so with PT to my local airport (Manchester) is the PITA rail services. Strikes, constant train cancellations (Northern and Trans Pennine Express), so very unreliable I had to drive there & back from Wigan 4 times this year (family & friends, I've not flown since 2019). The railway infrastructure is there and is (Castlefield Corridor apart) excellent, as are our new trains and new depot nearby at Springs Branch - we just want some on time, reliable services. Wigan has no direct Airport services anymore since last December when Northern diverted the Windemere & Barrow - Airport services (Both DMU) to run via Bolton. A letter to Andy Burnham just produced a waffle reply regarding the Castlefield Corridor congestion, err, which both above services still transit !!. NO one I know catches the train to the airport anymore, so unreliable, A change of train now needed from Wigan = a double dose of check in time anxiety !!! When the powers that be get serious and look deeply into public transport as a viable and reliable, affordable alternative to the car then most folk will look again. By the way, Airport parking, drop off etc is nothing to do with the environment, just a money making scam. As to the major polluters at Airports ---- Brit15

I see trees of green Red roses too I see them bloom For me and you And I think to myself What a wonderful world !! Brit15

And don't forget the utter stupidity, loss of life, devastation and environmental impacts the two wars are creating. I do hope both are quickly resolved and sanity returns. I feel so sad for the many ordinary folks suffering on all sides. Brit15

I posted this on PMP's thread, perhaps better here. Like many problems we have re energy, environment etc it's a matter of scale. Compare the no of model railway exhibitions in the UK per year, with the number of visitors etc at sports events, football in particular. Matches are cross country affairs with hundreds if not thousands travelling long distances to watch away (and home) games. This happens many, many times per year, not just football either. Car parks at many stadiums are vast. What's the carbon footprint of the UK sports scene ? When that is addressed (and good luck with that) then look at our piddly insignificant model railway exhibitions carbon footprint. Brit15

I live alongside the WCML just north of Wigan, the number of diesel hauled freights outnumbers electrically hauled ones, and that includes some Daventry - Mossends - both ends (and all in between) are electrified. I understand it's cheaper to run Diesel than Electric and sod the environment. https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:H31646/2023-10-16/detailed Brit15

Like many problems we have re energy, environment etc it's a matter of scale. Compare the no of model railway exhibitions in the UK per year, with the number of visitors etc at sports events, football in particular. Matches are cross country affairs with hundreds if not thousands travelling long distances to watch away (and home) games. This happens many, many times per year, not just football either. Car parks at many stadiums are vast. What's the carbon footprint of the UK sports scene ? When that is addressed (and good luck with that) then look at our piddly model railway exhibitions. Brit15

Thread re-read, non the wiser, just another "environmental" money grab. Comments re Heaton Lodge transportation etc are irrelevant in the grand scheme of things. I'd travel 100 miles in my 1973 V8 Rover to see that superb layout !!!!!!!!!!!!! Brit15

Is it just me that is getting totally sick, tired and fed up with this whole "environment" and "£££££" malarkey being rammed down our throats at every opportunity ? Yes we need to look after our environment (unlike the US, India, China, Russia, and 2 large wars currently on the go etc) - NO environmental responsibility there. Environmental cost on tickets mentioned - Why ? - Where will that money disappear to ? It's all £££££ these days, the above are the major polluters by far - go ask them for £££, leave me alone, I pay enough as it is. As a retired Gas engineer for over 40 years, at the sharp end, I know that reliable and affordable energy going forward is the UK's greatest concern right now especially as we go into winter. The environment comes further down the list for most folks also in the current economic crisis. Brit15

I also did Wakefield shed same month / year (6/10/67). Got there by bus from Normanton. There were many dead locos on Wakefield, a collection point for such before they were carted off, mostly to Hull for scrapping. No bad vibes for me, not a soul anywhere but I had to climb a fence to get on the footbridge over the line. Couple of photos. B1 61189 A namer, "Sir William Gray" 61189 & 61123 Behind Wouldn't be Wakefield without a mucky old "Dub Dee" !! Happy days, for me, though not the locos. Brit 15

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https://hushkit.net/2019/03/29/the-lippisch-p-13-supersonic-wonder-plane-or-nazi-coke-head-an-assessment-by-former-british-technical-liaison/ Brit15

Although the UP GTEL's (Gas turbine electric locos) were very successful, they eventually gave way to diesels in the late 60's. No show without Punch as they say, The N&W coal burning steam turbine electric loco was nicknamed "Jawn Henry" after the legend of John Henry, a rock driller who famously raced against a steam drill and won, only to die immediately after. The loco, built in 1954 lasted only until 1958, apparently steam, coal dust and electric traction motors didn't mix. In coal train "Pusher" service here. Note the "doghouse" on the tender top for the head end brakeman (when pulling a train) - what a job I bet that was !!. The Chesapeake & Ohio built three of these colourful M1 coal fired steam turbine electric locos in 1948. Defying the usual convention, the M-1 was arranged with its boiler in the rear and the coal bunker in the front. At the time of its construction it was the longest single-unit locomotive in the world. M-1s themselves proved expensive to operate and mechanically unreliable. Not including research and development, the three locomotives cost US$1.6 million. All scrapped by 1950. As mentioned earlier Turbines (especially coal fired) are perhaps not suited for Railway work. Best used in airplanes, ships and gas transmission pipeline compressor stations. Well, at least they tried !! Brit15