APOLLO

I was in San Francisco the week before the big earthquake in October 1989. We were staying at the Holiday Inn in the centre of town, fairly high up. I noticed and remarked a couple of times that "This building is shaking slightly" during our stay. hardly noticeable, but there seemed to be minute movements now and again. I wasn't over bothered till we came home a week later and the big one occurred. frightening thing was the bridge and freeways that collapsed we were driving over days ago. The Hotel together with most modern structures seemed not to be damaged - I don't really know as this was all pre internet (for me at least). There seems to be trouble brewing around the ring of fire around the pacific, and California (along with many other places) live with the threat of another big one day to day. Perhaps we are very lucky here in the UK with our comparingly minor events. Brit15

Transition certainly is happening, but perhaps not all consumers welcome it. There are many pros & cons, too many to list and each will move up / down the scale of importance / relevance as time and technology progress. Our politicians are clueless. I don't want an electric car, or even a hybrid, but then at age 65 I won't be motoring much after 2040. EV's / Hybrids are currently (!!) very expensive and I can't justify one (along with the depreciation) for the motoring I do. There are no short cuts or cheap easy options in the energy game. Our (UK's) Natural Gas increasingly is imported from countries of dubious political regimes - (Russia, Qatar) Can we trust them to supply us without interuption long term ? (they both have lots of gas that's for sure). Wind certainly helps, we need Tidal Barrages also (Severn, Morecambe Bay etc) Germany has been mentioned - a technological powerhouse for sure - BUT Germany has / is closing all it's Nuclear power stations and building new Lignite powered stations. Google Lignite, its a very poor grade of coal and burns awfully emissions wise. When Didcot power station was closed (due to meeting it's emissions quota I believe), it's main generators were taken to Avonmouth Docks and shipped to Germany - for use in a new lignite power station. I shake my head at all this green this that etc when things like the above happen. Prepare for a very expensive future energy wise - green or otherwise. Brit15

Hi Chris - no problem, I had little doubt as I scanned the photos from my dad's originals. I never spotted at Whitley Crossing, though I visited with my dad a couple of times on his Lambreta scooter !!. Dad liked to photograph here and one of his photos was half page in the Wigan Observer back in 1967, a mucky Black 8 slogging up brew, steam leaking everywhere. I'll dig out the photo and post it. I vaugeley remember a lad in a wheelchair was there, and later came to our house once to watch my brothers railway movies. I don't recall any others mentioned. A long time ago now !!. Living back then at Poolstock my spotting was the stretch of the WCML between the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, Westwood Lane, Cemetery Lane (the sloping wall of which can be seen in the far left of the above photo), and, best of the lot, Taylors Lane bridge, at the Springs Branch shed outlet. I have both your books, they are superb. I knew one or two of the characters mentioned, Johnny Bretherton who went down Poolstock Lane at over 60mph on his motorbike - we always knew when he was going to / from the branch !! Jimmy Lincoln who was involved in the Accident is still knocking around - he is my mates cousins husband. I also knew Frank Eaton. an old Springs Branch driver long gone, a real nice man, and one or two others who's names escape me. I'll try to dig out my old spotting books - there somewhere !!! I'll be pleased to help if I can. I'll stick anything I find of interest on this thread. I am looking forward to your next books, especially the Lower Ince one, and will help if I can. All my photos / negs are on my Flikr site below. You can use them if you wish, just acknowledge me or my dad. They are not captioned but I can probably add info to most. Just ask or PM me on here. Brit15

Brit15

More crazy but interesting ideas on the future of Railroads ---- (from the 50's of course) http://wx4.org/to/foam/warstories/its/da_bomb.html Brit15

Just found this site - SPINS Southern Pacific Industrial Numbering System - lots of industrial track diagrams etc. http://wx4.org/to/foam/sp/spins/books.html This one is San Jose http://wx4.org/to/foam/sp/spins/spins_san_jose_opt.pdf This is how SP did switching - very interesting and this can be used for a model railroad - even a small one. http://wx4.org/to/foam/sp/spins/spins_overview_opt.pdf The (mainly SP) site wx4.org is HUGE - you could spend the rest of your life looking at timetables, photos, memories etc. http://wx4.org/to/foam/a_rrcontents.html Found the site by accident a couple of hours ago and remembered this request. Hope it is of interest Brit 15

Sorry I can't help but this is a subject that will become more and more significant to many on rmweb as time marches on, myself included. A subject worthy of discussion and advice. Brit15

This from the early 50's http://atomic-skies.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/to-peoria-by-atom.html Mind the Yanks did build daft trains But this one didn't take off (thank God) !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's diesel or electric in the future (or a mix of the two like now). Brit15

Quick question - Are "stayalive" capacitors / installations only suitable for DCC users ?. Can they be used on straight DC locomotives with iffy electrical pick-ups ? Brit15

It's just started snowing right now in Wigan Owd Bob - might be blowing across to sunny Leigh !!! Nice loco above, looks like an industrial loco should. I remember the 0-6-0 steam loco "Lyon" and other tatty beasts working at Ince Moss colliery in the early 60's - just across from Springs Branch. Also the locos on the NCB lines at Whitley Crossing that went to Giants Hall and Standish Lower Ground, that system had a couple of diesels a bit like yours - unfortunately all this was disappearing fast when I was a lad - happy days though !! Brit15

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What we do in our tiny island doesn't affect the world very much. What happens in the USA, China, India certainly does, and those three countries virtually run and depend on diesel. Few alternatives for them - renewables won't do it - billions of people in China & India are expecting rising "western like" life styles, as their right. Brit15

Shame about the Brush factory. Once these sort of highly skilled jobs go - they will never return. Meanwhile in China, S Korea etc -----. Brit15

Brit15

I've just started a subscription to the magazine "Steam Railway" - not really my choice of mag as it was the only railway mag on the list as a freebie on my Lloyds bank current account. The magazine is an eye - opener regards costs of building / running / repairing / overhauling steam locomotives.Lots of photos of what's going on in the current scene. The new build Clan has its frames cut, P2 30% complete etc - but it is the eye watering expense of steam that stands out, £250,000 just to wheel the P2 loco and tender. Money appeals are noticeable throughout the magazine - big £££ sums requested. There is hell of a lot going on currently within the steam loco fraternity. Steam is a labour of love for most, and it's an ageing population that love steam. Will mainline steam survive ? - probably for the immediate future, but I see it as a slowly fading event as the numbers of steam enthusiasts also fades. Time (and money) will tell. Brit15.

Yes we don't want the American system, our MP's should still be elected by the people as now - just up the caliber / qualifications of applicants somehow. Brit15

Not being political - BUT It's time we got rid of all our MP's / Politicians / leaders who have no practical and qualified experience of life. Our leaders (especially the cabinet) should hail from the ranks of experienced and qualified engineers, doctors, and yes, lawyers and bankers etc. We need a mix of experienced talent, those that have "done it" and are not seeking self aggrandizement.. Most of them (currently) have never had a real, responsible job / position in society. Towel folding - That's what one ex chancellor did !!!! Brit15

Lots of our natural gas is imported by ship as LNG (liquid natural gas) to the three main terminals, Milford Haven, Canvey Island & Grain. It is re-gassified and pumped into the national gas transmission system. The source of this gas is mainly Qatar, though some comes from Egypt, USA etc. Trouble is a ships cargo of LNG on the high sea in transit is still a saleable commodity (to the highest bidder) and cargoes have been regularly diverted - recently to Japan after the Tsunami disaster there took out nuclear electricity generation capacity - so even LNG isn't a "safe" bet. We are not buying gas from Russia just yet, but I believe contracts(!!) will be signed soon. Hydrogen is the perfect vehicle fuel - though there are questions re safety (Hydrogen being the lightest gas will easily seek out ways to escape - and will ignite / explode easily also). Manufacture also is costly, as much energy (electricity) needs to be put in the system to produce a similar amount of Hydrogen (energy wise). There is hydrogen fuel cell technology, quite a bit better, of which I know little about - could be the (an) answer - I don't know ? Petrol and diesel fuel is an easily made / transportable / stored and utilised LIQUID fuel of very high energy carrying capacity (think MPG). A very hard act to replace. Brit15

Very interesting National Grid article that. Explains the future problems (and probable solutions) very well indeed. In summary, (NG summary at end of article) If we want long range vehicles that can be charged in minutes, home is not going to be the place to do it. And it certainly won’t be for nearly half of householders who do not have access to off street parking. In a world where almost all cars will be electric:  43% of car owners will not have access to off street parking  too many domestic charging points will cause network stress. Brit15

I hope people realise that vehicle fast charging needs a high amperage charger & cable etc (and the supply to it). Overnight / trickle charging can be done with a smaller cable / amperage - but that won't suit all (or most ?) EV owners. Lots of households have 2 cars. Their existing electricity supply will not sustain two rapid chargers simultaneously. Nor will the local electricity supply down the average street supply such rapid charge loads simultaneously, along with other peak time domestic loads.. Anyway we will see. A long way to go and technology advances rapidly. Brit15

Don't worry, my 1973 Rover P5B V8 will still be burbling along in twenty plus years time - or as long as petrol is available. I won't argue the pro's & cons of electric cars, but I doubt I'll ever own one - perhaps a hybrid, but all electric - not for me. By the way my wallet gets a dose of "range anxiety" whenever I back the Rover out of the garage !!!! As to Tesla's - good luck. Nice cars, cost a bomb though. If I was loaded I'd have one in a (electronic blue) flash !!!. Brit15

Apologies Allan. Brit15

PVA is (usually) water soluable. Soak the complete wagon and load in luke warm (NOT hot) water overnight and it should soften. Brit15

A teacher was trying to wean her pupils off baby speak and to use adult words instead. She asked little Johnny what he had done at the weekend. “I went to visit Nana” said Johnny. “No” said the teacher, “you went to see your Grandmother”. She then asked Linda what she had done. “We went for a ride on a Choo-choo” said Linda. “Wrong” said the teacher, “you went for a ride on a Train”. It was Davids turn and teacher asked him the same question. “I read a book” said David. “And what book was that?” said the teacher. Thinking for a moment, David puffed out his chest and proudly said, “Winnie the Sh1t”. Brit15