Monday Variety ...

For Whom The Bell Toll Tolls

The original phrase was penned by eighteenth century satirist, poet and clergyman, John Donne whose celebrated work "Essay on Criticism" formed a key part of fbb's "A" Level Eng Lit syllabus. And you suspect right; the old bloke can remember almost nothing of these studies what he Donne. But they probably did him some good at the time.

No man is an island,

Entire of itself.

Each is a piece of the continent,

A part of the main.

If a clod be washed away by the sea,

Europe is the less.

As well as if a promontory were.

As well as if a manor of thine own

Or of thine friend's were.

Each man's death diminishes me,

#For I am involved in mankind.

Therefore, send not to know

For whom the bell tolls,

It tolls for thee.

He also did "No man is an island" and lots of other good stuff!

Ernest Hemingway wrote a book ...

... and it was adapted (some say rather too freely) into a film.

None of which has anything to do with today's blog - it just gives fbb a chance to show off his feeble knowledge of literature and his even feebler knowledge of film!

Toll 1 - East London - April 7th

Monday 7th April is the big day when the brand new Silvertown Tunnel opens. It acts as a "duplicate" for the Rotherhithe tunnels, the old bore having already been supplemented by a second bore.

For once "the old bore" does not refer to fbb!

All three tunnels (or is it two or four?) will have tolls, much to the chagrin of potential users and current users of the Blackwall tunnel which is free for just a few more weeks !

Note that you only get the cheap off-peak rates if you use  "Auto Pay", whatever that might be. Probably the technology simply filches money from your card account with no effort needed from yourself.

Bus super mega mayor Khan has announced that bus fares on all three tunnel routes with be FREE for one whole year.

The original Blackwall route, once ridden about 100 years ago by fbb, is the celebrated 108. It's been running for years!

Whatever the vehicle, it was always a good ride!

Under the new tunnels scheme, the 108 still uses both Blackwalls.

In passing, note that the X239 has morphed into a very disconnected non looping Superloop SL4 coloured black, below

It is "Super" in that it runs NON-STOP between East Leamouth and Sun in the Sands, Greenwich; which is a pub ...

... and more notably, a roundabout on the A2!

The 108 and SL4/X239 south of the river are shown below.

The map about also shows the other brand new tunnel route, the 129.  Currently running from Lewisham to North Greenwich ...

... it will use the Silvertown tunnen and strike off eastbound.

... doing a double run to London City Airport on the way. South of the river it follows a similar route as before. Here is a 129 on its way to its present North Greenwich terminus.

Another tall toll tale follows in tomorrow's blog.

The Mind Boggles

Two headlines are shown here from the BRM magazine - that's British Railway Modelling.

You would need to read the magazine for a translation.

High Speed Commitment

As the UK dithers and cancels much of its HS2 train project, now curtailed to a pointless "shuttle" from London to Birmingham, (Daft!) things are going well elsewhere.

Here is PM Justin Trudeau of Canada launching their High Speed rail project.

But Canada's proposed line is a bit bigger.

The road route is shown above, by rail it will be 1000km long; that's 632 miles in real money. That is not quite as far as from London to John'o'Groats.

How Much?

In fbb's exploration of the prices manufacturers seem able to charge and wealthy aged modellers seem willing to pay, he has come across a "cracker". If you thought model railways in the UK are expensive, you would need to experience the hobby in Europe.

Oxford Rail have produced a rail mounted crane, a model of the real one as pictured below ..
... which sells for about £20. Cheap as chips.

Meanwhile, over the Channel ...

... a similar item for £750.

O.K.; it is self powered - it doesn't need a loco to haul it. All the bits and pieces work remotely; it has lights and sounds all built in.

You pays your money!

Fantastic in Fowey

This bus stop is on Polvillion Road Fowey at its junction with Landkelly Lane ...

... and is pictured by Google Maps. Some many years ago, fbb passed said stop (on a bus!) and enjoyed a different tableau.

This is one of the most recent.

And here are its creators!

fbb likes the skill and humour they have given to their display!

 Next London All-Tolled blog : Tues Feb 25