The various clues we found yesterday have led to a bit of a breakthrough in solving the problem of the ancient tram as snapped in Basel (Switzerland) by No 3 son last week.
Three problems have faced fbb.
1. (as already hinted) fbb's study of the German language reached a shuddering halt with an "O" level pass in 1959.
2. Swiss German is, in many ways, different language from German German.
3. Birseckbahn is also known as B E B.
The tale beings in about 1895 when the worthy burghers of Dornach were dissatisfied with their train service into Basel. The result of this campaign was a tram line opened in 1902. It ran via Birseckstrasse to terminate at Dornachbrugge (bridge) using a very tight turning circle ...
... between the Kloster Dornach (the Church on the right) and the station.
Google maps fizzles out part way along Amthausstrasse (bottom centre) but the church is on the right of his inadequate Streetview view ...
... but the house at the end, straight ahead provides a good frame of reference.
Under a Basel area numbering scheme is became route 10 which number it retains today ...
... although it now takes a different route to get the the station.
There were three other independent longer distance tram companies in the early 1900s. These all had troublesome German company names.
There were three other independent longer distance tram companies in the early 1900s. These all had troublesome German company names.
Basellandschafltiche Überlandbahn which ran to Pratteln ...
... as line 14 and it still does.
Trambahngesellschaft Basel–Aesch ...
... which became line 11 ...
Finally there was the Birsigthalbahn which ran steam hauled "trains" at one time ...
... then trams (or were they trains) to Rodersdorp which was line 17 ...
... but was later linked cross-town to the Dornach line 10.
This is the line, you may remember, which crosses into and out of France to call at Leymen.
All four private lines, plus a heap of bus services came together in 1974 to form BLT ...
Basel Land Transport.
"Land" sort-of means "Country" i.e. the area around the City of Basel. It operates the yellow and red trams.
We will conclude the tale of the Birseckbahn tram tomorrow.
Logology Answers
1. Leicester : the dark brown colour is the clue
2. A doctored BR logo used to publicise the introduction of "sprinter" diesels
3. London Country pre NBC
4. Carousel Buses
5. Berlin City Transport
Logology Answers
2. A doctored BR logo used to publicise the introduction of "sprinter" diesels
3. London Country pre NBC
4. Carousel Buses
5. Berlin City Transport
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ADVENT CALENDAR - 19
Words like Saviour and Redeemer often occur in our popular carols. The core of Christ Mas always has been the recognition that God sent his Son to change the lives of those who accept Him as Saviour/Redeemer.
How this pans out will not be revealed historically for a few months, possibly up to 24!
SPOILER ALERT
Pictures like this one are unhelpful.
Even excusing the shed that offers no protection to cattle - an artistic device - there were no wise men at the baby's birth, neither was there a bright star. They didn't even come on camels and they weren't Kings!
But in Matthew's account we hear of some (no mention of "three") "wise men" who studied the stars.
Zoroaster (a k a Zarathustra) lived anytime between 500 and 1500 BC. Hus "religion" was part philosophy, part self help and part humanism.
The cardinal concept of aša - which is highly nuanced and only vaguely translatable - is at the foundation of all Zoroastrian doctrine, including that of Ahura Mazda (who is aša), creation (that is aša), existence (that is aša) and as the condition for free will.
The purpose of humankind, like that of all other creation, is to sustain aša. For humankind, this occurs through active participation in life and the exercise of constructive thoughts, words and deeds.
It is very likely that the Wise Men were wise in the ways of Zoroaster or some derivative. From Biblical account it would seem that they were practitioners of a mixture of Astronomy and Astrology.
And they had spotted a new star.
O star of wonder, star of night,
Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to thy perfect light.
And it needed investigating.
It might mean something!
You do wonder, however, why they all wore different silly hats!
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Next Basel Christmas blog : Wednesday 20th December
CityBus, when I saw the colours, I had wondered if it were the CityBus that ran during my boyhood between London, Wood Green/Kentish Town and Southend.
ReplyDeleteWilling to be shot down from a great height, but surely pre-NBC it was London Transport Country Area and as such carried the London Transport fleetname. London Country came post NBC.
ReplyDeleteTo be absolutely accurate, the flying polo logo was introduced by London Country Bus Services, on its formation on 1 January 1970 - the point at which it was taken over from LT by NBC, but before NBC corporate identity came into being in 1972.
ReplyDeleteAnd the Southend to London routes originated with City Coach Co., which sold out in 1953 to Westcliff-on-Sea Motor Services, which in turn was absorbed by Eastern National.
Just logged in to correct my earlier statement (re London Country)to find that you have already done it for me, so that's cool thanks.
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