Category Archives: Prototype

The 1980s time-warp of the London-Scotland sleeper train

Posted on June 2, 2014 by snitchthebudgie

Inspiration still not good for blog posts.  Perhaps this (slightly edited) article from the BBC web site might inspire a purchase of some Farish ‘N’ gauge sleeper coaches – or for those who have them some detailing of the interiors with … Continue reading →

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Quelle dommage!!

Posted on May 26, 2014 by snitchthebudgie

Funny how posts always seem to come, like the proverbial buses, close together after a long delay.  So here’s another prototype item, this time from the BBC web site. The French train operator SNCF has discovered that 2,000 new trains … Continue reading →

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Thameslink franchise

Posted on May 24, 2014 by snitchthebudgie

From the Daily Telegraph web-site, 23 May…. A joint business between UK transport company Go-Ahead Group and Keolis of France has been handed a seven year contract to run what will be Britain’s biggest railway franchise in a bitter blow … Continue reading →

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Los Angeles modelling inspiration

Posted on May 9, 2014 by snitchthebudgie

This is one inspiring photograph for urban detail.  It comes from John L. Mathis’ site, and he kindly allows one to reproduce his work with acknowledgment. The Los Angeles PCC cars were narrow (3 ‘ 6″ I think) gauge and … Continue reading →

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Sugar cane railways – 2

Posted on April 24, 2014 by snitchthebudgie

Back to Australia and North Queensland for this post.  A day exploring inland, more or less at random, discovered the sugar cane processing plant at Tully (well, actually, I worked out where it was, and found it by ‘accident’).  The … Continue reading →

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Would you dare model this?

Posted on April 22, 2014 by snitchthebudgie

This is the ultimate piece of trackwork.  It comes from Sardinia, and presumably is used to turn locomotives (or maybe just to confuse people).  It’s tempting to build, despite the curved crossings, but you would need to have a picture … Continue reading →

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I’m not optimistic

Posted on April 10, 2014 by snitchthebudgie

Reading the local paper and Network Rail’s website I find the good news that…. More trains and more seats as Network Rail kicks off five-year £2.3bn programme in South East This includes….. Sussex – Passengers in Sussex will also see … Continue reading →

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Bluebell photo-fest

Posted on April 6, 2014 by snitchthebudgie

Here are a dozen photos from a family visit to the Bluebell Railway in 2003.  The Bluebell was one of the earliest preserved lines in the UK, and is still one of the best.  My daughter must have been all … Continue reading →

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Sugar cane railways – 1

Posted on March 27, 2014 by snitchthebudgie

In 2010, Maxine and I we fortunate enough to spend two fantastic weeks Queensland, in the general area of Cairns. We used the conventional Australian check-list, from “I-Spy Australia”. Shark (small friendly 6 ft one) – tick! Snake (harmless 4 … Continue reading →

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Physical Graffiti (with apologies to Led Zepplin)

Posted on March 18, 2014 by snitchthebudgie

From the BBC News website, 18 March 2014: Dubai: Metro system to be turned into art gallery The Dubai metro system is going to turn into an art gallery on the orders of the emirate’s ruler, it’s been reported. Sheikh … Continue reading →

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