APOLLO

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

It's well known that over in the USA the Union Pacific ran a range of very successful gas turbine locos for a quite number of years. Ran on Bunker C (low grade high ash) oil and later on Propane. Three types were built. They ran with Big Boys - what a sight this would have been !! This is where and why they excelled, long heavy trains, long distances at constant speeds across the high plains of Wyoming, they also did well crossing the Rockies over Sherman Hill. Very nice painting. Bit higher than Ais Gill but similarly a double track fast route over the hills. What is not well known is their home brewed GTEL Coal Burning turbine loco. A bit of a beast cobbled together with anything available at the time. The story is here https://locomotive.fandom.com/wiki/Union_Pacific_GTEL_Coal_Burner Plagued with problems it didn't last long. What a time to be a "Railfan" over there in the 50's & 60's !! Brit15

One last Liverpool tale. Back when the twins were born in 2002 we visited The Stanley Sunday Market in the old, listed Tobacco warehouse off the Dock road. The thieves market as it was (rightfully !!) known. Knock off everything. Walking round I spied one of these in the hub cap and car stereo section (!!) on a stall selling all sorts of things it should not have done. What's this I asked (knowing full well what it was) - Dunno La was the reply, £20 if you want it, so I bought it. It is a FIM (Flame ionisation meter) gas detector, I used one at work when on standby, new cost £1000+. Obviously stolen from the "Liverpool Gas Company" (as it was known). I took it to work and presented it to my manager - found this in a Liverpool market, cost me £20, you've got it back. Well the manager wanted to report it to the police, description of seller, me to identify etc etc. No way I said, here's your machine, I'll put £20 on expenses and that's it, end of. And so that was it. Not another word heard except a word of thanks from the Manager over in "The Pool". The warehouse is now being renovated and is near to the new Everton football stadium. A busy area now, wonder where all the "Tea Leaves" went !! Brit15

Just before retirement I had to do some planning jobs in both Liverpool & Manchester areas. Manchester, and the folk there was just miserable, really miserable. Liverpool on the other hand was another world. One job was on the main road near the docks in Boot Hill (Bootle). I needed to site visit premises to arrange service renewals etc. One firm was very hostile, would not let me near the meter, virtually threatening me etc. I knew they used gas as they had heating on etc., so I just said "OK" La and left. I recorded that "This premesis does not use gas so cut off the supply", and ensured the gang did just that - never heard a dicky bird !!! On another occasion planning replacement mains at Cantrill Farm (Cannibal Farm) the housing association guy insisted we relay the flags in footpaths on 2" of wet mix concrete - why I asked, we normally lay flags on gritsand - to which he replied - Look down the road, see any missing ? - Nuff said !! - Oh he said, don't park your car next to the flats, your a stranger and an old fridge may land on top !! On another job again in Boot Hill I was meeting a guy from the Highways, I put on my yellow reflective vest with GAS emblazoned on the back, and had my clipboard in hand - For gods sake put that coat and clipboard back in your car out of sight he said, they hate gas men here and some scally will take a pot shot at us with an airgun. Just walk around and don't look official !! I asked the reason why and the answer was that during the Toxteth Riots back in 1981 the police borrowed gas vans to get inside the area for surveillance etc. Scousers have long memories !! It's by no means not all bad in Liverpool - Just go with the flow etc. My son and one twin daughter got their Masters degrees at Liverpool Uni (Mech engineering & Biology) They love the place. I got my ONC Mech Eng there back in 1972. We like to visit occasionally and love the many ethnic restaurants on Bold St (The Brazilian one there is superb). Nice though to come home to "Woolybackland" - (Wigan) !! Brit15

Brazil ? You have to be nuts to go there. This is an interesting though long and sometimes (very) scary video. Anyway back to reality. 1967, aged 15 went on my own by train to Leeds to "do" Holbeck. The front entrance near the diesel depot was an obvious no go - so a mooch around the corner into Bridge Road found a way in !! This is a much later picture, but I scrambled up the stone wall and over the concrete panel fence shown below where a couple of panels were missing. The Yard & two steam roundhouses were easy, didn't go near the diesel shed though !! My photos from that trip are on my Flikr site https://www.flickr.com/photos/136789710@N03/albums The first album is the above trip. Most sheds I found easy, only being thrown out of Gateshead (before I got in) and Edge Hill (get out or I'll throw you out Laaa !!!). Back in the 70's I did my ONC Mech Engineering at Riversdale College Liverpool, Gas Engineering courses at Birkenhead (a bus, train and a ship to work !!) and HNC Gas Engineering at Stretford Tech Manchester - I commuted to all from Wigan over my 5 year apprenticeship with very few "problems" - so few I can hardly remember any !! except the son of a Sheik at Stretford Tech, which was mostly Petrochemical back then - he was no bother but his armed guard(s) (or so we were told) was, well, just keep away we were informed, - so we did !!! In my service years I was on standby 1 week in 6 or so, called out to gas mains escapes at all hours and weathers to very posh places, and some at the other end of the spectrum - I could tell many, many tales, interesting, funny, downright scary (the gas not the folk mainly) etc. I suppose I was lucky as my districts over the years were Wigan, St Helens, Warrington, Runcorn, Frodsham and Helsby. Yes there are rough bits in all of them but I never thought there were any "no go" areas, even on my own late at night, and I never came to any harm, or was threatened etc. If "youths" were around a 9" chisel up your sleeve gave peace of mind, but I never needed to reveal it. Liverpool and Manchester from what I was told was a different kettle of fish. They sent two gangs to jobs in some areas. That was in the 80' & 90's, god knows what it's like nowadays. I suppose I was lucky, but I worked with a lot of good lads, we all looked after each other back then, and that included the bosses. Brit15

The spiders will get you !!!!!! Brit15

Long time since I went to and around Germany by ferry (Harwich) and train. 1986. The ICE lines were under construction, and travel was a joy back then. Trains clean, pleasant and on time etc. I do get the feeling these days that "The powers that be" just don't want us to travel anymore, air, train, car, all modes are difficult, expensive and getting unpleasant. Look at UK railways and the strikes etc - just no one in Gov cares anymore. Given the horrible world events over the last few days / months etc (Israel, Ukraine etc) I cannot see things getting any better either as Governments attention etc will not be on transport. Sunny day but cold here in Wigan right now, off for a walk "down'th owd pit railway" to "clear 'th yed" !!!! Brit15

Build back better !!!! Brit15

Glad some of the rail went to a good home !! As to news on NPR they're still looking for Boris's fag packet with the plans on the back that he lost at Warrington Bank Quay station a while ago !!!! https://www.warringtonguardian.co.uk/news/19637564.prime-minister-boris-johnson-seen-warrington-bank-quay/ Brit15

https://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/news/plymouth-news/nuclear-submarines-left-rot-devonport-1043977 It's far more in Russia & USA. Brit15

The Liverpool Tramway !!!!!! Back in 2004-9 I was planning gas main replacement and diversion jobs in the NW. I did quite a bit of gas main diversion costing etc for Line 1 of the proposed Liverpool Tramway, Pier Head to Kirkby, some were VERY expensive jobs diverting existing large diameter / low & medium pressure lines along the route - some in the median strip of the A580 etc where the tram was to run. Some work was actually done on site (though not all of it, a couple of million quid or so). I was told that 30 odd Km of special tram rail was actually landed from Europe at Hull Docks the week before it was cancelled. Not one metre of track was laid as far as I know. What happened to that rail I do not know (Scrapyard on Dock Road no doubt !!). It was cancelled because all the money allocated was spent (or disappeared), and lots more requested - well, it is Liverpool !!! I do know that a lot was spent on many, many meetings in the lavish offices in the City, where there was always a buffet lunch fit for a king. I attended quite a few meetings with the other statutory authorities (Electricity, Water, Telecom etc). At Noon "They" (in suits, couple of dozen of them and nowt to do with the meeting) all came out of the woodwork for the buffet with us, then promptly disappeared back into the woodwork at 1pm. What a show !! Liverpool - just what more do you expect Laa !! Brit15

Sod ULEZ bring back The Westerners !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Brit15

I understand MG cars are made in China, India and Thailand. Don't know where ones for sale in the UK are made though. Brit15

Jags - Every true Englishman must, at least once, own a Jaguar in his lifetime, So the old adage goes. Brit15

It's worse than that. From the Grid offtake to your house there will not be enough distribution capacity, Think street HV (High Voltage) & LV (Low Voltage) cables, sub stations of varying sizes, the cable down your street, the cable off that to your typically 80 Amp main fuse. As house loads rise, cooker, shower, charging one or typically two cars, your not far off the limit if all are used at once in a few years time as we electrify. Your local substation probably can't cope, etc. Upgrading that lot will be £££££ Astronomical, and THAT is why they want smart meters, they will enable load control and peak time pricing. I'll stick to gas for as long as possible heating & cooking. As to Politicos and Civil Servants we need far more engineers in positions, like over in China. Over 50% of the Politburo are qualified engineers. They get things done. Brit15

In my library I have a very interesting book, "Our Iron Roads" by F S Williams, The original dated from 1884, mine was an edition printed a few years later, and a hand written inscription says it once belonged to The North Eastern Railway HQ !!! - No mention of HS2 in it !!! The talk on this thread about what the services will be etc is very interesting. To me London is London, any station will do. On the few occasions these days I get to that bloody awful Euston I'm straight on a tube for my onward journey into the city proper. I'll not miss that totally unfriendly hell hole (a bit like Blackpool North). The new station at Wormwood Scrubs and it's connectivity will do for me, I do hope they have somewhere to sit whilst waiting for your train to be announced and I will not miss standing aside from the silly sods running like hell from under the big screen a couple of minutes before departure when their platform is announced to get a seat up to Watford and concrete cow city (MK) !!! Brit15

I've often wondered what the Wigan LIP (Springs Branch Locomotive Inspection Point) to Wigan LIP via many strange routes was (as shown on realtime trains). Now I know - Ninky Nonks !!! edited to add - it ran today !! https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:H38597/2023-10-06/detailed Brit15

in the beginning - The government started creation of HS2 via an Act of Parliament the first day- blight was created as land was bought the second day - the TBM's and gantry cranes were assembled the third day - dry land, seas, plants and trees were dug up the fourth day - many overpaid managers were rejoicing the fifth day - creatures that live in the sea and creatures that fly and all Great Crested Newts were relocated the sixth day - Finally humans living many miles away, were getting fed up and angry by day seven - Rishy, with his work of creation very much unfinished and in tatters, rested at the proposed works end Mancunium, cancelling most future creation with much pontification making the seventh day one of many, many more great promises, much the same as the first one, Incidentally, Samsara, a fundamental concept in all Indian religions, is linked to the karma theory and refers to the belief that all living beings cyclically go through births and rebirths. Seems to apply to UK Railway building also !! Brit15

I'll not argue either for or against EV's, simply they are currently (!!!) not for me. Time will tell. And yes they are getting better etc. I remember many, many, years ago (1970's) when I started driving (in my Dad's 3.5 Litre Daimler Majestic) buying a few car mags. In one issue BMW had taken a model (2002 if I rightly remember) and pared the spec right back to make it more affordable to ordinary folks. Very basic, but still a BMW (quality back then). Surely if this was done with an EV (any make), sub £20K with decent range, only the essential bells and whistles etc, backed up with a decent leasing / PCP / finance packaging it would be a winner. I would then think again. If the European car manufacturers are not careful the Chinese will eat their lunch. Happy days, "Big D" and me back around 1971 - Jazzy new number plates & tinworm !! See the little hole over the no plate ? - that's for a starting handle. My first job was saving for a new battery, a fiver !! Brit15

Brit15

Back around 1985 I drove in one day from York to Dingwall in this. Nearly 400 miles, I had to stop for fuel a couple of times though (22mpg on a run). Very comfortable journey in "The Flying Armchair". I still have and run this car (occasionally). 50 years old in June of this year, set for another 50 if the planets oil reserves last !! (She has depleted a few oilfields in her time !!) No EV's or Hybrids for me, too expensive and way over complicated. Cannot be fixed by a selection of screwdrivers, spanners and a 5 pound lump hammer. Brit15

Just found this Government document just published. Page 1 is that silly green map !! https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/651d64646a6955000d78b2e0/network-north-transforming-british-transport.pdf Brit15

So it's batten down the hatches time for us all, HS2 or not it seems. Bad reports coming out of USA, China, Europe re money also. Digital identities and CBDC (Central Bank Digital Currencies), Programmable Money etc being actively introduced and planned (Allowing total control of your spending). Be careful with Digital Currency's also. I'm no expert on finance but I do know as a retired gas engineer (40+ years) that energy, cost and availability is key to everyone and everything. And we (UK) are NOT self sufficient anymore. Continue to use gas for heating etc for as long as possible (well I would say that !!). Electricity will get eye wateringly expensive, and rationed etc soon (see smart meter thread). Get out of debt as much as possible, spread your savings around several banks etc, look after yourself, family, friends and neighbours. Not time yet to "doom monger" prep, but be aware of events as they unfold, be savvy, have plans (A, B, C & D - (lights out)), and if needed act quick. Brit15

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/oct/05/hs2-not-extend-euston-without-private-funding Brit15

Soylent Green !! Brit15