Classic Cars, not what they Seem Anymore?

 Bangers & Cash, Car SOS, Wheeler Dealers and find it, fix it and flog it!

These are some of the popular car restoration TV programme's in the U.K. that rebuild old cars and make them road safe for various clients, but also for auctions and they are interesting even for people who are not really vehicle fads?

But now with much new technology about many want to update the engines to LPG or Electric and for some this is an abomination, while for others it makes sense to pull away from burning fossil fuels!

If this does occur we may see some of the early concepts become more alive on our roads, such as steam coaches and wagons, and what future designs become of them in the world of electric and AI powered motoring?

Classic and Vintage Vehicles. Part-Two.

The Easter Weekend?

This weekend will be marked by a host if not plethora of fairs, shows and galas covering every form of old machinery from ships, to locomotives, cars, to farm implements, steam engines to even early computing?

This will be the world over and their is so much to see, more so outside the U.K. and the U.S. Many countries have developed this own industries and some of their old stuff is much better than ours?

Maintaining them is a love and their is no end of collectors and people wanting to get involved in restoration and may it long continue? If you have the opportunity please visit and don't mind the cost, enjoy teach both the young and old?

Because we do  not know what our little ones one day might invent, get an idea to go with in another direction and come up with something completely different?

Space now is too becoming vintage, one knows that both in Russia and the United States there are some great collections in museums to be seen of the early space race from 1957 to 1971 worth investigating!

Classic and Vintage Vehicles. Part-One.

Keeping history Alive?

So far we have done just fine in preserving both steam and Diesel/petrol powered vehicles, but this is running out with all the new technologies that are to come? This is because they will be  built from bespoke parts perhaps unique to each individual manufacturer and thus the restorer will hit a road block in say twenty-years time!

Most vehicles have now been saved in one form or another luxury and sports cars are the most popular, followed by interesting construction and military equipment. But some have not, either for lack of parts or because their design remains classified!

This is because many designs follow on from the one before, being improved as they proceed through time and this is true of the Swedish manufactures Saab and Volvo! There may be many others around the world former Soviet and Communist Chinese to the present?

Even the British and U.S have many similar vehicles such as the Abraham's/Challenger MBT that no one will get the chance to pry upon along with the Israeli Merkeva, not anytime too soon!

The Railways 2018. One.

Improvements?

Every nation in the world this year will be making or trying to make improvements to its railways infrastructure, wither it is new stock, new expanded or changed railway track layouts, signalling or ticket operations and security?

We can only go forward with technology and with comfort, many countries will not focus to much on safety but will rather make some changes somewhere within their remit? Others may do little or nothing to what they already have or they will cut back in place of buses and coach travel for one reason or another!

The battery train looks promising over the demise of Diesel and electric over that of the same and steam, this is the future for modern railways! But it is not the end for some countries who as yet cannot afford this or are stuck and have to make do with their existing parameters?

Engines. Part-One.

The heart of every Machine.

If one visits the Science Museum in London, U.K. or nearly every country in the world, you are confronted by the engines of all the great machines that have ever been built. For mechanics this is a day out, for others perhaps after looking at a couple one can get bored easily?

But it is the engine from the petrol to the hydro-electric fusion that has been the heart of motive power this last 125 years. Engines have helped in the development of getting into space, going to the depths of our oceans, building all forms of structures and tunnels.

 Ford T-Model car, Mark 1 tank, Holland Submarine, Sputnik, Ferrari, Porche,Apollo Rockets, Queen Mary, Spitfire, Volkswagen Beetle, Drones, Hydro Power, Trains, Mustang P-51, Rolls-Royce, MiG-15, SR-71, Bullet train, Antonov 225 Mirya, X-Planes, Mars Rovers,

Steam was one thing, Diesel another, fusion is something else and nuclear elctro fusion will take us out of our solar system?

Easter Weekend Attractions.

Steam fairs to Vintage displays.

Many people around the globe this weekend are going to perhaps attend some kind of event, which has been laid on for the Easter holidays. From vintage trains, specials, fairs, displays, regattas and so the lists can go on and on.

I wonder what we are going out to see may be the best of that has survived time or the rare, the one offs. What ever it is, I hope you have a good time and enjoy riding, filming, photographing or just watching.

Tomorrows classics today are already being marked out for the collectors clubs and collections and their are still many types of machines that await restoration or to be purchased. But what was not able to be saved and what has been lost, perhaps due to lack of part?

The reason for these biog posts are to encourage anyone out their to do something, even if it is just maintaining your lawnmower, and any other machine. But it is also to come up with new ideas or adaptions of older one. 

Many Thanks and a Happy Easter.

The Age of the Steam Train.

'How Long?

With a hike in the price of coal in many countries, the question must be asked how long has the steam trains left? Is it still viable to run them, even in the state of preservation and how do you raise enough funds to make a profit anyway?

There are still a few nations around the world with access to coal, that will continue to run some steam perhaps for another few more years. 

The problem with Steam is that it is dirty and polluting, many people do not want to be covered in the soot, as these trains pass through built up areas.

Some of the older Diesel locomotives are now cheaper to run, than newer versions and still cheaper than even electric trains. Much of this has to do with infrastructure and planning of railways, if you did the plan 50 years ago then you will be fine. 

One can budget rail for your own economic needs, and then there will be no problems.

Railways.

Trains.

In the recent months we have seen three major train accidents in France, Spain and Switzerland. Speed was one of the key factors, but there was also human failure and bad track maintenance involved. We have asked the question before is speed essential, people today do seem to want to get from A to Z quickly?

Railways since they were created have become an essential life line for all the nations around the world who have them. Locomotives, wither steam, diesel or electric do not matter as long as they work. But it is still human error and negligence over speed issues and will to repair tracks that are and will continue to lead to failure, leading to accidents and deaths sadly.

'Take the Train.'

Railways.

I wonder how many people today still use the train to travel long distances. Back in the 1950's it was really the hey day od travel in the U.S. Rail travel was going from A to B or Z in style. But today modern trains are fast and design of style has been lost.

Around the world train travel continues at very different paces from country to country. Diesels rule more so than steam and electric, because they are cheaper to buy and build. Many nations do not have a commuter service and rely on a regular train probably only one a day.

Railways and trains will continue to be around for a long time yet, because for many developing nations they are a life line in communications.

Is speed essential?

The world seems to be getting faster by the day, with technology and travel. Is it time for us to continue in this way or should we just slow down with travelling from A to B? 

With the worlds economic crises and the desire by many for a more friendly environment, is it time to return to some of the slower modes of 19/20th Century travel. The days of steam trains, gondola's, airships, sail ships, even the horse and coach. Perhaps we could employ bio-fuels and more solar panelling to the machines that we already so rely upon?

Enviromentally friendly.

Can we create viable environmentally friendly transport?

Are the days of the steam train over, just because they were driven by coal. Is there a future for them and the turf burners?

Or is the future to be gas. Many countries are considering hydrogen powered vehicles, but what we already have could be developed to be more cleaner and efficient?

Karz's.

The automobile.

The car has know been with us for well over one-hundred years. The first vehicles were steam powered, slow and dirty. But with the introduction of the petrol engine and the Ford mass-produced production lines, cars have become available to nearly everyone. 

What does the future hold for vehicles such as these, with the rising prices of fuel and the problems of pollution? 

Will the introduction of a hydrogen-Cell powered car be mass produced or limited perhaps initially just to police, military and emergency services and/or the wealthy. 

Will steam return in a new form, that is cleaner, will solar power vehicles as seen in science ficition come to the fore?

What is the future to be of the electric car?

IOW Railways.

Isle of wight railways.

Over the years the Isle of Wight  has become the retirement home for London Underground (LUL) ex-tube cars, as they are re-classified. 

Currently they have had a repaint job to fit the Jurassic Park theme, but are they really pulling in the tourist crowds? 

Many people believe that perhaps the re-introduction of steam trains would be a big money spinner, as they are on the Isle of Man, Welsh Mountain's and many other places across the UK. 

Or is it a fitting re-use for these underground cars to be kept going here as they are?

New Year 2012/13.

New Year 2012/13.

I wonder what new innovations in the world of machines will be revealed to us this year? 

Perhaps if the price of oil and other fuels continues to increase, we may have to turn back to steam trains, trucks, engines and airships? 

Is there still a viable future for such machines again? 

Hopefully engineers will be using alternative energy sources to power their new ideas and concepts.