Saturday Variety

PLEASE NOTE

Part 2 of Comfort-able will now followon MONDAY

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How Much?

Possibly a mistake, but you never know!

Really?

When fbb first saw this, he was very nearly convinced. But then he spotted this note skulking bottom left.

Another lie designed to draw you in to a web site so you cab be exposed to advertising. fbb is considering putting out a news item about a word-wide shortage of OO and HO tank wagons, the training to the Antibes on the proceeds of the sale of his collection.

No, that would contravene at least two of the Ten Commandments and fbb's ultimate boss would be unhappy.

There was some debate about the above illustration, asking from which hole the smoke might escape.

Obvious. Like a 9F with a Crosti boiler, it issues forth from the other side.

What a Good Idea

See, those clever chappies from down under have cone up with a cheapo way to cut their emissions. (fbb used to be fed Milk of Magnesia).

As the engin us a diesel generating the electric to power the motors to drive the wheels, why not tack a "tender" on the back and pack it full of electricity. Then you don't need catenary, third rail, sub stations or any of the other stuff that makes the electric rather expensive.

It us a wonder that nobody has though if that before - a truck packed full of fuel ...

... but, would it work?

Don't Panic!

Cornwall Council has done a 'Corporal Jones' in response to First's  clise-down in the county. First is contracted to run the Truro Park and Ride.

Apparently, the Coucil will award the contract to another operator.

Yet another big surprise from the convoluted world of Public Transport.

In the December Modern Railways, we have a lavish illustrated supplement telling hiw wonderful Freightliber is on its 60th anniversary.

The Future's Bright, The Future's Orange

Freightliner was the result of the much maligned Beeching report. The Great and Good doctor had rhe prescience to prophesy the proliferation of containerisation.

The loco in 60th livery was on display at the Derby Rail 200 show.

Privatised Frightliner went to an attractive green and yellow livery but GB owned. It is now part of ...

Genesis and Wyoming, itself owned by a Canadian investment bank. The orange is very powerful, but the above picture does illustrate that Freightliner is now a general freight company doting much more than carrying tim boxes around.

Remember Colindale ...

.... a London Underground station which used to look like this.

... and was rebuilt to look like this.

But the opportunity for property development and the need for accessibility has produced Colindale Mark III. 

The new station is bigger with an environmentally enviroomental timber roof.

It is nearly finished in reality ...

... spectacular inside (artist's impression below).

A view from the platform shows all the extra stuff ...

... to allow for a lift.

New tower blocks will be added beside the station building.

We will visit another much improved station as part of tomorrow's blog.

Tank Wagon Terminological Worry

This is a Hornby R227.

It is part if fbb's  additional collection of "Shell" vehicles from all over Europe. 

But then get came across this one, also Hornby and also in yellow "Shell" livery ...

E

... but without "Shell".

Oddly it is also catalogued as an R227.

  Next Variety blog : Sunday 30th Nov