Irish trains.

Ireland has turned a corner over the last few years with the introduction of some top quality new rolling stock, such as the Class 22000/29000 Trains built in South-Korea/Japan. Millions has been spent on line, station, signalling improvements and extended electrification, bring the whole system in the Dublin area up to modern standards.


It is interesting to see the split between the passenger and freight locomotives, while the Class 201's remain on the very long distance Dublin-cork services and Belfast Dublin. 


Everything looks for a bright future, with plans to reopen lines and add a few new ones too?

'On My Bicycle.'

The bicycle is probably the most basic and commonest form of transport, that the human mind has ever conceived. 

There are millions of them out there and they can be found everywhere in every type of environment. Obviously snow and sand may be not. From the Penny Farthing and early French developments, which had no pedals. The bike is now light weight and a racing machine in its own right.

It is also good for exercise and in extremely environmentally friendly. But withing the environs of the large cities, it can be a death trap to the automobiles.

But as a tricycle it is transport for millions in the third-world. The Rickshaw can be used to transport people and goods and it is a clever adaption. 

But what does the future hold for this wonderful mode of simple transport?

Trucks....

They come in all shapes and sizes and we can't really do without them?


The truck, Juggernaut, lorry is truly a most invaluable machine for the movement of all types of goods, from small loads in a local vicinity to big loads across vast distances. No matter where in the world you go, you will find them at work. 


Monster carriers are used in modern quarrying and in similar heavy construction sites. In Australia cattle, sheep are moved across distances in road trains. But it is probably ore that is one of the commonest uses found for trucks. 


Shipping and trains also play their part for the very vast distances, but otherwise it will be a truck of some description in the local area. With the development of newer types, new engines and better cab design, trucks have come a long way. 


But the future for them will be the development of improved fuel, re-performance and new sources of power, instead of diesel, petrol?

Submarines.

This is perhaps the least most exploited technology for civil use re-cargo and passenger travel. Yes I recognise that there are various mini submersibles for deep sea research and exploration, but why are their no cargo vessels or commercial liners for under the sea? Is it to dangerous or to expensive, or is there no real interest?