Category Archives: Weird and wonderful

China announces plans for ‘flying train’ that can travel up to 2,500mph

Posted on September 11, 2017 by snitchthebudgie

From the Independent….. China announces plans for ‘flying train’ that can travel up to 2,500mph The state-owned China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) has claimed it plans to develop the next generation of trains, which can travel at speeds … Continue reading →

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Odd modelling ideas #2030

Posted on August 26, 2017 by snitchthebudgie

For the climate conscious (and it would make a cool model)….. Rail Energy Storage Harnesses the Power of Gravity All the Livelong Day A California startup is repurposing trains and rail cars to help renewable energy utilities compete with fossil … Continue reading →

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Shepton Mallet yet again

Posted on August 2, 2017 by snitchthebudgie

It’s the start of the school holidays, so for the 21st time Maxine and I went on our annual pilgrimage to the ‘New Wine’ church conference.  Once again, there were over 10,000 people camping on the Bath & West Showground near … Continue reading →

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Two odd links

Posted on July 29, 2017 by snitchthebudgie

Two odd links from the Daily Telegraph….. Shocked commuters gawp as woman brings desktop computer on First Class Virgin train A shocked commuter took a photograph of a woman who had turned her First Class seat on a train into … Continue reading →

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An alternative grouping

Posted on May 28, 2017 by snitchthebudgie

‘Proto-freelancing’ is far more popular in the USA than in the UK.  Perhaps this is due to the use of the same locomotive designs, with detail differences, across many railroads – for example the iconic F3 and F7 diesels.  Bu … Continue reading →

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1971 – December – you can’t please everyone

Posted on May 20, 2017 by snitchthebudgie

Our last look at the 1971 Railway Magazine.  From the always reliable letters page, an outbreak of outrage, but from Dawlish, not Tunbridge Wells…. Ridiculous SIR – The photograph facing page 577 of the November issue of The Railway Magazine … Continue reading →

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Odd modelling idea #1677

Posted on May 16, 2017 by snitchthebudgie

It’s becoming a forgotten art, converting one model into another prototype.  When I was a teenager, Triang GWR Clerestory coaches could be made into almost anything, with a new roof and a bit of cutting and sticking. But this article suggests … Continue reading →

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1971 – September – Nine Days to Vladivostok

Posted on May 14, 2017 by snitchthebudgie

Also in the September 1971 edition of the Railway Magazine, was a description of a trip on the Trans-Siberian Railway.  It’s written rather in the “British Empire” style – intrepid explorer with Union Jack and pith helmet reaches the interior … Continue reading →

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Flying Scotsman on the Bluebell

Posted on May 12, 2017 by snitchthebudgie

Thanks Peter, for this shot of the Flying Scotsman on the Bluebell Railway.  Not everyday that 60103 has to collect a tablet for single-line working.  I wonder how many times, if ever, that happened in pre-preservation days? And that’s a … Continue reading →

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Odd modelling idea #999

Posted on May 10, 2017 by snitchthebudgie

As I return back to the UK and the depths of Redhill….. Here’s why there is a red telephone box graveyard between Merstham and Redhill For most of us who commute by train the journey to work will be a … Continue reading →

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