Go-Op Gone? Not Yet!!
The company was hot news a while back as it had won access rights to run trains between Weston-super-Mud ...
The plan is that Go-Op would be a Co-Op with "members" providing the cash and reaping the profits in the form of a huge "divi".
But it looks as if the profitable potential of the proposal has not propelled people into proffering sufficient pennies!
Wikipedia reports a long list of proposals which might contribute to the unease of potential investors.
It would be sad to see this scheme die because it represents true innovation; the service would be the first bit of 'open access" that did not form a variant on existing inter-city operation.
But that is exactly why people do not want to risk their cash. But if you do have the odd million to spare, Go-Op would just love to hear from you.
Who Are Q R?
... which, surprisingly, operates trains in Queensland, Australia. It once operated that gorgeous Beyer-Garratt steam loco illustrated at the head of this article.
The steam loco is pictured at ...
... Rockhampton station, which now looks like this ...
... but once looked like this. 
Here is a full map of the current QR long distance network.
Brisbane is bottom right. Also of interest is the label "Tilt Train" which represents a service of, surprise, surprise, tilting trains.
They can go as fast as 100mph!
Wowsers!
In 1906 ...
A chum of Mrs fbb emigrated, with hubby, from the Isle of Wight to Cairns, at the northern extremity of the QR network.
A1A A1A Eh?
The map provokes a further investigation into Q R - so a few more thoughts in tomorrow's blog.
A1A A1A Eh?
Some of the model railway developments which fbb experienced in his youth were, for their time, exciting. In 1965, the Triang catalogue had this front cover painting.
It featured the first Triang "Rocket", later reintroduced and retooled in Hornby days. But up on the viaduct was Triang's first UK diesel.
The full sized version, later designated Class 31, was used for passenger and goods trains and appeared in a standard BR green, but with white stripes.
The stripes did not stay white for very long.
One loco (here in model form) appeared in an experimental ochre livery ...
... an experiment not pursued. Equally experimental was a blue shade with stripes (also a model) ...
... which predated all over rail blue. It was, however, a brighter shade of blue.
Locos we're built between 1957 and 1962.
Triang's model ...
... was considered the bees knees in 1965! fbb has such a model, given to him by Buffers model shop because "it wasn't working". But he bought new brushes for the motor and undertook a good clean of the commutator and it now runs well.
But its wheels are to Triang's old coarse scale and it doesn't run well on modern track. One day fbb will replace the wheels. (Really?)
Modern day modellers have a more detailed version from Accurascale ...
... at a much more detailed price.
From a distance you could not see the difference, but close up you can see why a simple-looking box shaped model is now expensive.
It's All On-Line No 257
Apparently, according to Wales On-line ...
The sign means "Pass Either Side" with the caveat that whichever side you "pass", you get to the same place.
As is usual the author of the article could not be bothered to do his/her research properly. The sign is WRONG. In the UK the arrows are not that shape.
They look like this:
Pedantic old codgers unite!!
Furthermore, (Grumpy, grumpy!) Some local authorities install it incorrectly, meaning "traffic splits an goes in two different directions". WRONG!!
Here is the sign misused.
The right hand arrow points to a lane which will carry right hand turn traffic controlled by a traffic light phase.
The left arrow is for straight ahead and left turning traffic.
There could be a very nasty ac cdent if you ploughed straight on after following the right hand arrow.
In such cases the correct display is a white blank.
Next QR blog : Monday 2nd March
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