Well, not literally… But this is about aircraft tech inspired train experiments. With the announcement of Chinese scientists adding wings to high speed trains to improve performance, here’s a quick look at the history of aircraft tech being used on railways. Starting briefly with the George Bennie Railplane, a test track was built north of… Read More Flying trains
With the UK’s biggest railway trade exhibition, Rail Live! taking place again in a weeks time, here’s a quick look at a much earlier rail trade exhibition. In 1954, Willesden in North London was the site of a joint exhibition by British Rail, London Underground & various manufacturers for the International Railway Congress. Here’s some… Read More The 1954 International Railway Congress, Willesden
In the 1930’s The English Electric Company produced a series of booklets about its electrification projects of railways worldwide. No.51 (1932) covers the Bombay Suburban lines, the first to be electrified in India. These scans are of the original booklet. Thanks for reading. Check out my other posts on travel, heritage railways and more.Please click… Read More Indian Railways Electrification
The New Year holiday usually sees a James Bond film film on UK terrestial television. Last night was no exception, with ITV showing Skyfall, starring Daniel Craig. This is one of several Bond films that feature railways. The film opens with a chase after a stolen hard drive through Istanbul, ending up with Bond and… Read More Bond on Rails
I recently picked up a copy of “100 Places You Will Never Visit”, which included one railway entry, for the Moscow Metro-2. This is, it claims, a secret metro system created during the Soviet era to move government officials and the military around under Moscow. After searching various web pages, blogs and Urban explorer pages… Read More Moscow’s Secret Metro
This scooter popped up on Pinterest the other day. A person powered scooter that fits on the rails. Primarily designed for maintenance and inspection work, it can be carried by one person and will carry 50kg of equipment. Available from Safetrack in Sweden. So it’s time for a quick look at what other forms of… Read More Human Powered Rail Transport
No, I’ve not been there – yet. Though for a great view from the cab check out this Youtube cab view from a train on the Nordland Line from Trondheim to Bodø Thanks for reading. Check out my other posts on travel, heritage railways and more.Please like and subscribe for more random railways content. Follow… Read More By Rail through Norway
There’s a good article in Marie Claire about how President-elect Joe Biden has become known as “Amtrak Joe” Will he be using a Presidential train to get around instead of a 10 ton armoured limo? Maybe. He’s been a regular Amtrak user for years and took a train journey in September on the campaign trail.… Read More Will “Amtrak Joe” Biden be taking the Presidential train?
I have several copies of “The Railway Engineer” from the 1920’s. It was a monthly railway technical paper, I have the annual bound volume versions. Here’s a few samples. Yes that big U shaped thing is a pneumatic boiler riveter, suspended off the overhead crane. The other item of interest is the article on the… Read More The Railway Engineer, 1920
Here’s a few samples of pages from the 1961/62 “World Railways” published by Sampson Low. The directory was published from the early 1950’s until the late 1060’s when it was taken over by Jane’s publishing, and still continues as Jane’s World Railways. This copy is from the British Rail Technical Library in London. The directory… Read More World Railways 1961
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