Saturday Variety (mini blog)

 Is It Or Isn't It!

fbb commented that the current Bristol network map had not been updated to include the former RATP A4 via Keynsham village. Then he checked another "current" network map, and ...

... the A4 was included. Both maps claimed currency, as far as the old boy can remember.

Was it yet another fbb blunder?

Or was it the well-known fact that First's web button pushers are very poor at removing old stuff?

Then fbb had mused about the column headings on their 39/X39 timetable.

Thanks to correspondent Gerald, the problem is solved.

The letters are Bristol Omnibus Company Ltd depot codes for MarlborougH Street (i.e. Bristol bus station, also a depot) and BatH. Odd; you would have thought that First's £4 million Artificial Insanity software could have come up with something more complicated and less comprehensible.

A technological failure, indeed!

And even one from Marlborough Street!

Peterville Castle Progress Continues

The 3mm scale cottage is no longer suspended in mid air ...

... and the ancillary buildings (staff cottages) ...

... and souvenir shop ...

... are somewhat improved. Distance, when viewed from a distance, has been added to the background hills via a little sprey of grey..

Whoops, fbb has mislaid the tower observation area roof.

Farewell HST, Welcome 222!

Of course these "high speed" trains are second hand. But then so are their replacements. fbb thinks the 222s in question will be ex East Midland Railway  ...

... as Cross Country is refurbishing its 222s for further service,

Scotrail tells what they will look like.

That Lorry (fbb forgot!)

Once upon a time you parked your OO scale vehicles on your layout as a simple visual enhancement to the railway scenery.

Then Triang came up with an OO scale slot car system called Minic Motorway ...

... not particularly realistic.

Faller offered no slot ...

... but still their vehicles followed a rigidly prescribed route round the scenery.

So, how about leaving the trains to circle a traditional oval, or shuttle back and forth electronically, while you drive your lorries, buses and cars using radio control?

So in the soft top is a motor ...

... a radio control receiver ...

... and a servo to do the steering.

The blue wires plug into a (USB???) charger.

Neat?

fbb has enough trouble controlling one two coach passenger train so who knows what mayhem he could initiate with moving road vehicles!

It's  All On Line No. 821

Above, another example of a UNESCO protected site.

Of course it is!

Puzzle Picture

Where are we?

It is unrecognisable today!

The old bus might be a clue! Some identification has been surgically removed!

And A Heartfelt (Bladderfelt?) Plea

As an elderly old crusty whose liquid disposal needs can be more urgent than they were twenty years ago ...

YES , PLEASE and again, PLEASE!

Oliver Coppard's train vision will now appear tomorrow.

 Next Sunday Variety blog : 22nd March