Were you to desire to hire something from your youthful past, you might expect to get a vehicle in heritage livery. Here is an East Yorkshire decker resplendent in the dark blue, primrose and white that was standard for many a year.
Would the ride be as desirable if the bus were wearing something more "modern".
How about the same bus now in East Yorkshire's swirly multi-coloured garb?
Somehow not the same?
Spots Before The Eyes!
There was, a few years ago, a considerable backlash against "contravision"; a system whereby external paintwork was carried over the windows. Clever because it did not completely obscure the glass - but it did apply a grid of spots which soon became very irritating to any poor soul condemned to view the outside world through a dotty haze.
OK, it doesn't look as bad as the above, but stand about two metres away from your laptop (less on a phone) and that is what it is supposed to look like. Despite protests from Joe Public, it is still being used ...
... and fbb definitely finds it VERY irritating. Thanks to a slight eyesight "complication", apparently the old boy has never had binocular vision, he tends to focus on the dots and not through them.
Do You Like Diesels?
Folk of fbb's generation would go weak-kneed at the sight of a steam engine on today's railway; but we forget, in our decrepitude, that a generation has now grown up that knew nothing of the good-old steam railway.
What is even more sobering for an oldie is that a generation has grown up knowing little of diesel locomotives at the head of a speeding passenger train. So much of today's stock is "multiple unit".
So "Diesel Galas" held at our great preserved railways are a big attraction.
The gorgeous Severn Valley line has one coming up next month. Instead of "iconic" steam ...
... visitors will enjoy the throaty roar of a feast of the best (and some might say the worst) of internal combustion engine traction. Rake a look at the list!
That's 18 locos to enjoy.
Or not?
Tarka Trail and Tarka Trains
The Tarka Valley Railway is the associative name given to the proposal to re-open the line from Great Torrrington to Bideford in North Devon.
Initial planning permission has been obtained for a 300 metre length of track running alongside the footpath which replaced the original railway line.
The local "Spotlight" telly news reported that the first short section (just part of the 300 metres) was complete and ready for traffic. The item showed their little diesel trundling backwards and forwards ...
... along the newly compacted ballast, sleepers and rails.
The driver was aged 17!
'Progress' - Built 1945 by John Fowler manufacturers number 4000001. 60 h.p. 6 cylinder Leyland diesel engine installed in 1977. Hydrostatic drive and braking with Westinghouse air brakes as a secondary system.
The Beeb's news item was well put together and (unusually) not at all condescending.
Small beginnings but at least it's a start.
Well done all concerned.
Ryan Retreats
Amid almost weekly news of the collapse of yet another airline, comes the suspicion that the much-admired Ryan Air is not quite the golden boy that it once was. A recent announcement has caused grief in the land of the Jimmy Hat, Haggis and Deep Fried Mars Bar.
Two possible reasons have been suggested by plane watchers. (1) Ryan is short of planes as a result of the grounding of their 737 Max 8 fleet ...
... OR (2) the company is finally recognising that plane is giving way to train on internal flights. Maybe (1) has given them the "excuse" to respond to (2).
An What's This in Edinburgh?
Actually it was on show at a coach event in Blackpool (there's a clue in the picture!)
It is a posh new coach branded "Green Arrow". Are we about to see Lothian Transport having a go at longer distance quality services in competition with Stagecoach and Citylink?
Does anybody know?
And The Very Latest?
Today, Saturday April 13th, First Glasgow launches its brand new fleet of TEN double deckers for the service 500 Airport Express.
And here are some jolly statistics to amuse and delight our readers (click on the panel for an enlargement):-
And a better picture of just one of the ten.
Today, Saturday April 13th, First Glasgow launches its brand new fleet of TEN double deckers for the service 500 Airport Express.
More "Nibbles" blog : Sunday 14th April
Lothian Transport Green Arrow.
ReplyDeletesee focustransport.org for April 3rd
The Lothian Green Arrow won't be going that far. Look carefully to the right of the driving position and it can be seen that a farebox has been fitted. They don't, as yet, offer contactless.
ReplyDeleteI can see why EYMS would want a new image to replace the rather drab maroon and cream of recent years, even if the new style is (to my mind at least), a rather unattractive mess of colours. But to apply the new style to the wonderful old AEC Regent of the heritage fleet is an absolute travesty. Why stop there>? Why not fit it with electronic destination kit, modern seating with bright grab rails and of course contemporary reflective number plates? I hope they will very quickly see the error of their ways and restore it to its proper state.
ReplyDeleteI could be wrong but as far as I'm aware this was an April fools Day photo that has been edited, and they haven't actually painted the bus.
DeleteI hope that's the case. If I'd seen it on 1 April I might have suspected something, but perhaps by the 13th I can be excused!
DeleteI did wonder!
ReplyDeleteGood afternoon,
ReplyDeleteIf l understand correctly Ryanair as yet doesn't actually have any Boeing 737 max aircraft in their fleet yet. They have a large number on order, with the first due for delivery fairly shortly. Their version will be the Max 200s a modified version of the Max 8. Keep up the good work !!
Andrew Edgbaston
I agree that there is way too much contravision and non see-through stuff on bus windows. Do those who decide to allow this ever travel on the vehicles inflicted with this? And how many cars do you see with contravision?
ReplyDeleteThere must be other ways of getting a message across.
Can someone tell me something? Why do car and bus windows nowadays have speckled markings round the edges?
ReplyDeleteAndrew
ReplyDeleteApparently it's called a "frit":
https://says.com/my/lifestyle/what-are-those-little-black-dots-on-the-edges-of-car-windshields