Upgrades and Extensions.
Many countries around the world today are starting to see the value of what they have in relation to joint rail and Metro systems and have began the upgrading of stock. Meanwhile some have also extended their networks, lines and have brought other closed or planned sections back into operation.
In some cases the advancements being made in design, speed and comfort may look good to the eye, but sometimes they fail on reliability and age.
The United Kingdom, France and Germany have been able to do much, while some south-American countries Brazil, Argentina have the opportunity to start new projects along with Australia and New Zealand. India is trying and has started to grasp the need for the metro network.
Eastern Europe and Russia and many other nations have perhaps neglected what thy have and are now in financial constrains to start doing anything. The far-east Singapore, Japan, China and south-Korea in my mind always has the vision to take full advantage, but has to turn back to Europe and the United States for the design and engineering that is required.
Thursday 29 January 2015
Thursday 22 January 2015
Cargo Ships. Part-One.
General.
This is the official term used for most shipping under that of the Bulk carrier, Chemical and Oil tankers. The general cargo ship comes in various sizes and they are used for a mixture of cargo's, basically what ever order or contract they can get.
Timber, fertiliser, gravel, grains scrap, rubbish are some of the general cargo's, they operate into and out of all sizes of ports and facilities. Some of this ships are in fact glorified river barges, while others at one time were known as Coasters because they kept close to the coasts in their travels.
Most of these ships today carry their own excavators or small cranes, if the quay has no facility.
Today there are so many specialised ships that are dedicated to various roles, but the cargo ship will live on because of the demand to move all sorts of small amounts of goods and 'that is a great thing in its self.'
This is the official term used for most shipping under that of the Bulk carrier, Chemical and Oil tankers. The general cargo ship comes in various sizes and they are used for a mixture of cargo's, basically what ever order or contract they can get.
Timber, fertiliser, gravel, grains scrap, rubbish are some of the general cargo's, they operate into and out of all sizes of ports and facilities. Some of this ships are in fact glorified river barges, while others at one time were known as Coasters because they kept close to the coasts in their travels.
Most of these ships today carry their own excavators or small cranes, if the quay has no facility.
Today there are so many specialised ships that are dedicated to various roles, but the cargo ship will live on because of the demand to move all sorts of small amounts of goods and 'that is a great thing in its self.'
Thursday 15 January 2015
Air Freighters. Part-Four.
The 1970's onwards.
From the 1970's and the advent of the McDonnell-Douglas DC-10 to the 11F, Lockheed Tristar and the rise of the Jumbo jet, Boeing 747-100/400 the age that we live in has now occurred. From day one these aircraft had the potential and the Boeing 747, MD-11F soldier on with many specialist airlines operating all around the world.
Apart from post and parcels (DHL, UPS, FexEx, TNT) many are employed in the movement of military equipment of various type. Airlines such as Kalitta, Atlas, Gemini, Air Bridge cargo, Aerologic all carry sometimes unlisted loads using the above mentioned types.
Meanwhile the Boeing 757, earlier 737's and the newer 777 are now converted fro this role. The European Airbus manufacturer has also used its older types for freight, Post and general cargo. Some of these types were intially offered in the combi-configuration, especcially the Boeing 747-200. it looks like that his will continue to be the case.
From the 1970's and the advent of the McDonnell-Douglas DC-10 to the 11F, Lockheed Tristar and the rise of the Jumbo jet, Boeing 747-100/400 the age that we live in has now occurred. From day one these aircraft had the potential and the Boeing 747, MD-11F soldier on with many specialist airlines operating all around the world.
Apart from post and parcels (DHL, UPS, FexEx, TNT) many are employed in the movement of military equipment of various type. Airlines such as Kalitta, Atlas, Gemini, Air Bridge cargo, Aerologic all carry sometimes unlisted loads using the above mentioned types.
Meanwhile the Boeing 757, earlier 737's and the newer 777 are now converted fro this role. The European Airbus manufacturer has also used its older types for freight, Post and general cargo. Some of these types were intially offered in the combi-configuration, especcially the Boeing 747-200. it looks like that his will continue to be the case.
Thursday 8 January 2015
UAV.UCAV and Drones.
Will they replace manned combat?
Computer technology is now moving at a alarming rate that Stephen Hawking's has joined the concerned camp that humanity might be overrun by Robots. Could he be right?
Most missions that are today being carried out in Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan and the Horn of Africa are done by robotic drones controlled from NATO bases in Europe or from ships in the Indian ocean.
This new type of warfare is saving human lives of pilots and special operation ground troops, but it is not saving civilians. This is because Jihadi militants have the habit of using human shields were ever they are operating from.
The technology employed in the drones gives 3D mapping of the terrain and is able to update by the minute with live day and infra-red imagery. Missiles can now be targeted and launched 90 miles from the target, meaning that the UAV/UCAV is neither seen nor heard by the enemy.
These drones are also deployed at sea, surface and underneath, there are a various array of robotic vehicles that also can be more effective without human capacity.
Computer technology is now moving at a alarming rate that Stephen Hawking's has joined the concerned camp that humanity might be overrun by Robots. Could he be right?
Most missions that are today being carried out in Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan and the Horn of Africa are done by robotic drones controlled from NATO bases in Europe or from ships in the Indian ocean.
This new type of warfare is saving human lives of pilots and special operation ground troops, but it is not saving civilians. This is because Jihadi militants have the habit of using human shields were ever they are operating from.
The technology employed in the drones gives 3D mapping of the terrain and is able to update by the minute with live day and infra-red imagery. Missiles can now be targeted and launched 90 miles from the target, meaning that the UAV/UCAV is neither seen nor heard by the enemy.
These drones are also deployed at sea, surface and underneath, there are a various array of robotic vehicles that also can be more effective without human capacity.
Thursday 1 January 2015
A new take on the Bicycle.
Many new Ideas..
But are all these new inventions really viable or safe over the clever design of the bicycle? At the moment nothing has really come about to seriously replace the original concept, this is perhaps because again and again inventors are not really trying.
The United States and Australia would seem to be the only countries who are trying out new ideas, but what is stopping them is that they can always rely on fossil fuel power.
The bicycle has the great advantage that it could become its own energy producer, peddle power combined with solar could help the cyclists to get up hills without having to do much of the work.
Meanwhile going down the hill would produce enough power re-charge the re-chargeable battery, so it would be ready for the next hill.
Weight of components is perhaps one of the draw backs and most of the new designs lack the seat, which takes the strain off ones back.
HAPPY NEW YEAR
But are all these new inventions really viable or safe over the clever design of the bicycle? At the moment nothing has really come about to seriously replace the original concept, this is perhaps because again and again inventors are not really trying.
The United States and Australia would seem to be the only countries who are trying out new ideas, but what is stopping them is that they can always rely on fossil fuel power.
The bicycle has the great advantage that it could become its own energy producer, peddle power combined with solar could help the cyclists to get up hills without having to do much of the work.
Meanwhile going down the hill would produce enough power re-charge the re-chargeable battery, so it would be ready for the next hill.
Weight of components is perhaps one of the draw backs and most of the new designs lack the seat, which takes the strain off ones back.
HAPPY NEW YEAR
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