New Technology. Part-One.

Drones to Robotics?

Much of what we are terming new has been around for some time in one form or another, but the applications are perhaps newer rather than new? Drones are improving all the time and plans for deployment in the Mars mission as a helicopter have been suggested, while back on Earth the police and search and rescue are using them with effective search and observation results!

Robotics, as in Androids are also improving but no suggestion as yet for sending into Space has been made? On the industrial front, they will perhaps in years to come have a great advantage with helping older folks and young children and the disabled as in both cases!

There are many military applications for both, at this time many poorer nations will probably opt for drones over that of Robots or Androids for border patrols and police work? Drones are much cheaper to deploy than helicopters, unless a large area needs covering or someone in trouble needs to be rescued?

The Land Rover Defender Returns. Part-Two.

Very much still Loved.

So many countries around the world have bought into this most successful vehicle type that none of them want it die? Technology has to progress and their are as many successful new type of the Range Rover and other types that are just as good claimed by the company?

But the series 90 and 110 has captured a market that was lost for year to Mercedes-Benz and remained much cheaper? This new venture takes on the many spare parts that remain in circulation and in the developing world there remains a demand. But at the same time many countries may adapt what they have to last for a longer time in both military and para-military police roles.

What has the Land Rover got that the newer type do not have. The build is with metal, rather than plastics, reliability and optional fuels is another key factor to their success! The other is that they can be converted to every known configuration in both civil and military use and changed at short notice?

Road Trains. Part-One.

Haulage.
Generally most trucking in Europe is a combination of one vehicle plus a trailer, but in Australia, Canada and the United States along with Russia and China there are more possibilities to have a number of trailers forming a train.

What limits haulage is other alternatives such as shipping and railways, because in the long term they are much cheaper on fuel costings.

The movement of livestock is perhaps one of the best usages for this type of haulage in the outback of Australia, were the alternatives are limited.

Railways.

Pricing and new stock.

Every country has set up a different way to run their railways networks or systems. Some remain National, while others are made up of different companies and their own liveries. But what they all share is the cost of keeping their respective systems functioning safely.

There is much more to a railway than tracks and trains, maintenance and personnel have to be paid for. People retire and new recruits need to be both trained and replaced, engines and buildings also need to be repaired and cared for and this all costs a lot of money.

Some nations operate on shoe string of basics, while the richer ones with their privatisation would seem to be progressing. Yet one has to stand back and take notice that many withdrawn and older types are being brought back into service with new fresh coats of paint.

The reasons for this is nothing to do with preservation, but rather thy are cheaper to run in the long term than building new ones.

So next time you face a 'hike in the fare, try to remember all the work that has to be done to get you from A to B or A to Z?

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.