Keeping the classics Going?

 How many aircraft and machines can be kept!

We all as nations and groups want to keep as much as we can to record 20th Century history, but can this collecting, restoration and re-builds be kept up!

So far many restorers and private collectors may eventually pass on to museum collections, but others would want to sell and recover assets for the work that they have done on their respective projects?

Many early aircraft of the first twenty years of human flight are now re-builds and are flying, adding some adventure to those basic and limited days and this come on our current electric revolution!

Armored Electric?

 Musk has taken the Idea!

But it is not all going his way since one of his Tesla trucks was used in suspected home grown terror attack on a Trump hotel in Las Vegas!

The idea to turn his truck into an armored vehicle looks like a possibility for the future, but one is not sure if he will be the first, since many countries in Europe already have electric versions of utility vehicles and police and other emergency powered by battery?

If the Tesla does become available, then it would have a very limited market, since most countries world-wide still burn petrol and diesel!

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?

Breakthrough in Hydrogen development!

 BMW has the first hydrogen powered vehicle?

For many years now the engine of converting them to other fuels has been something of an issue, but the German car maker claims that they have developed a converter motor withing the axle of their prototype car and this will be the future for motoring, since it requires no conventional engine and a smaller fuel tank if that!

But what it has is it will be far lighter than electric vehicles, while also not over heating in summer and catching fire, while in winter loosing up to 30% of power. 

Something which have caught many drivers with these expensive cars and the waste of time charging them up before moving and having to keep doing so, since the lithium drains in cold weather even when the engine and the vehicle is moving!

Happy New Year 2024.

 Automobiles and Ships doing well?

These are the fields of advanced electronic engine conversion and strides, with rail and aviation following more so with existing power and bio fuels, but the car is now in main and extensive production and the demand is getting higher despite not much change in the lithium battery out put?

Where as shipping it is more profitable and easy to implement and with new designs quicker application, the only thing that is slowing down everything in this area is the Red and Arabian sea crises over commercial shipping being attacked by Houthi rebels in support of Gaza.

The ferry industry and offshore oil rig support are the first to benefit from the electric engine and now with Hydrogen as a mid standby between fossil fuels and electric many more nations will be abandoning and going for the new power sources to become more green and cheaper than the existing?

The only set back is overheating of the lithium batteries and several incidents have been reported recently, perhaps this is because of pushing the power too far and not staying within the required limits?

Electric powered Shipping!

 Underway?

Norway is leading the way in electric engine power for vehicle  roll on/off ferries and smaller shipping from Rhine type barges to coasters and there is a demand that other vessels in the oil industry and up-lifting vessels along with cruise liners are the next in line for these conversions.

There are many concerns in relation to breaking down in rough seas and drifting on to rocks, if not colliding with other vessels, but so far many vessels will still have their tradition fossil fuel burning engines as back-up?

The future does look bright and with the advancement in theology and the options of already entering hydrogen powered vessels conversions and new ship design can only make things better to cut the horrid carbon emissions world wide!

Citroen Ami.

 The urban electric future or a death Trap?

This is one of the most initiative designs of the new electric car for urban travel, but with a 22Kg battery and adapter one can extend the range beyond 46 miles and double it up.

But there are issues, speed is 30MPH/46kmh, it is wise to go a bit slower and it could overturn on sharp corners, with the passenger getting more hurt than the driver?

Other issues with this 2-metre tiny car are the roof is black and it will get very hot in the summer, while in the winter it will get very steamy, with little heat to clear the windows and only one windscreen wiper?

Some customers have said theirs leaks, but despite all that is against it such as it is cutting power after twenty miles to 10Mph, it has a lot going for it, easy parking and it will be well able to handle the new speed restrictions in towns and cities and you don't have to pay ULEZ charges in London and the equivalents in other places.

A year or two of Changes!

 COVID-19 has changed Everything?

Sickness, lockdown, uncertainty and having to close down our website has taken its toll, but we are back and are hoping to kick on, if not also catch up slowly?

There are many changes because of this Pandemic in travel, transport and technology from medical to the factory floor and sadly many of our older friends and family have succumb to this lack of air disease!

We are moving into space tourism and from electric battery possibilities to gas, but it was Russia who lead the way or already have done it as well as being so advanced in robotics that they are now fitted and operating on the ISS!

Yet the west and Europe still maintains that S-Korea and Japan are the future for these developments, when they are not apart from gaming and even Canada is now responsible for most of that?

Moving into Electric?

Cars, planes and Boats!

Norway has become a leader in this new conception, while many who started the trend such as Tesla are going out with financial costs running to high. Many countries claim to have something to develop in the area, but it will be some time before we see a real all electric powered vehicle, rather than a battery operated one?

Battery is not bad but the technology for it has not changed much in the last one hundred years so apart from solar and alternative energies we will just have to wait and see is there really any alternative to fossil fuels even in the near future!

We do not get to hear to much of what is going on in the developing world when it come to this type of technology and what breakthroughs that they have made with alternatives to fossil extraction fuels!

The Electric Engine?

A revolution in machine Technology!

Many countries have now committed themselves to the development of a carbon free source of power and in this century we will see great changes, as much as in past with the steam and petrol engines!

Getting rid of carbon emissions will certainly help the environment and despite as yet unknown side-effects this is perhaps one of the best developments for humanity truly since the wheel?

Many nations claim to already have the ability to produce cars and land vehicles, but the challenge comes with flight and with shipping? We will have to wait a few more years to see what happens and how it will effect and replace what is now conventional! 

The other area that will determine its future is that of keeping down the costs in production and what will be used to produce the electricity, hopefully not the continued burning of more fossil fuels?

Battery and Electric Engines?

Ending fossil fuels Pollution!

It not if, but when and the faster these new technologies are implemented the better for all with breathing problems in our large cities! Poland is leading in the field at the moment with their lithium battery vehicles that are being introduced right across the board in public transport, postal delivery and many other service areas!

These new fleets are cutting down fossil fuels carbon emissions and improving the air quality, but more has to be done and one idea is the introduction of classic or vintage vehicle conversions to electric?

The infrastructure and the demand has to be there to meet the need, but as we see that Diesel is now not safe and is being withdrawn hopefully battery and electric will replace more and more and perhaps an enticement would be to keep the prices lower so that ordinary folk could be encouraged to make the changes?

The Railways 2018. Two.

Practicality?

It was hoped that Britain would see all diesel locomotives withdrawn by 2020, but this has now been changed to 2040?

Because new stock is already playing up and with the changes with franchises there is also a demand on the existing fleet of locomotives to be shuffled about on the British system!

The Class 43 or well known  HST-125's are getting another modernisation to keep them in service to at least 2040. Freight operations will continue with what they have, but some older engines in good nick will be kept for reserve recovery workings?

This has much to do with the price of fuel at this time and they remain more reliable than some of the new stock? The Class 66 service is now complete and it is unlikely anymore new orders will be made for the time?

Lithium battery technology is improving all the time and the Diesel Multiple Unit fleet is expected to also be withdrawn by 2040 in suburban operations, where electrification will continue for long distant speed and travel!

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?

The Electric Age?

2018 Promises to be the Electric Everything!

Electricity is nothing new when it comes to machine technologies but we are now talking about a new form of fusion drive that is none fossil fuel based? The U.S. will reveal their X-57 electric space plane, but it is one of many designs that are being planned or in development around the world!

The electric lithium powered cars, buses and trucks are already here and boats, trains and ships are to follow, but many of them remain bio-fuelled and are not truly what they claim to be?

Ecology and the environment is pushing for cleaner engines that do not cause or will cut pollution levels in our large cities.

Much of what is planned is well behind by in some cases up to forty years and it is not clear as yet if the new technology will just be like diesel replacing steam, with no knowledge that it might be worse in some health aspects?

Engines. Part-Two.

New propulsion, materials and Fuels.

Metal has been the main key component in engines for the past two hundred years, but now that most machines are becoming lighter in their construction and the demand for polymer plastics is on the rise. The aviation industry has developed stronger aluminium and other light metals to incorporate in overall design.

Lighter means more fuel efficiency, while engines no longer have to rely on the need for petroleum!

Hydrogen fusion, water and gasses work better with these newer materials. There is not worry about rust or engines dying so quickly. The newer materials and these new engines will last much longer and probably never really run out because of replacement parts.

The first commercial electric cars are now entering the European market en-mass and they will be followed by many other new innovations. Airbus has broken the market in alternative fuels, while new Russian commercial jets such as the Sukhoi super Jet will take the market. 

The one time business jets are now replacing the low capacity market with Mitsubishi, Bombardier, Embraer and Fairchild-Dornier offering layouts for between 20-30 seating.

This will undermine the Boeing 737-600/700 and the Airbus A319-100, who have tried to compete with Embraer E-Jet success.
 
Many machines such as locomotives are cutting down on the need for large body shells, some are aero-dynamic for extra speed.

Rockets such as SpaceX if combined with the Progress modules could lead to some interesting space developments along with improved nuclear engines for faster space flight?

English Electric Class 37 Co-Co. Locomotive.

They Just keeps Going.

The D6600 1960's (1960-66) built Deisel-Electric's are still in British operation today, apart from N-Irleand. These engines were re-calssified as 37/4 from the standard 37/0, there are now 37/5, 6, 7, and the newest Network Rail 97/3. 

From passenger service hauling in the 1960's to around 1990, they know are used in all frieght movements, to the Royal Scots train and part of the cambrian Nuclear flask trains. 

Meanwhile they are to be found all over the system in various private colours, and only 12 of them carry name plates.

With a speed of 90 mph top speed, they were restricted to 85 and now to 80mph. These 107 ton engines are some of the most reliable to be kept in over 50 years of service.

Commuter Trains. Part-One.

Mass Movement.

The commuter train has become one of the most blandest of train types across the world? They are really box trains sometimes painted in nice colour schemes, but generally they have a dirty appearance of over long term use. 

Indian railways and recent films showing the commuter system in Mumbai portray this demand for rush hour traffic! South Africa, Great Britain and Russia also portray a similar image, perhaps with less dirt and more colour.

Terms such as D/EMU (Diesel/ Electric Multiple Unit) is the official name for these trains that are capable of carrying 700 to 2000 people per run. Japan and India have the worst overcrowding problems, while the United States, Denmark, and Israel know deploy double decker carriages.

NASA's New Propultion Discovery.

The Electric Engine.

A new type of propulsion will see air travel on this planet revolutionised over the next one-hundred years and will also lay the bases perhaps for Martian flight and also on other Moons and Planets in our Solar-system.

You will have the go yourself to the NASA site to check it out, because it is to complicated to explain it here. There are many new ideas about getting into space at the moment and many nations have their own takes, but the questions is who will be the first apart from the United States?

Meanwhile the recent successful Solar powered around the world flight will lead to solar powered machines for mars and the Moons of Saturn and Jupiter!

Driverless Vehicles. Part-One.

Robotic Vehicles.

What is behind the idea to have a driver less vehicle? Is it a way to control speed and cut out joy riding and motorway incidents! What advantage do we have without the human over ride, if one is not fitted and will these vehicles be monitored by the police and security to know were we travel too?

The benefits may come in slower speeds and helping people with disability, but a lot will be lost perhaps to the freedoms of driving we currently have. The individual choice of a sports car over and small family car may be lost in us only having the types provided.

Will these new cars be driven by petrol engines or electric, will they be fitted with hidden sensors even to the point of security cameras to gather behavioural information? 

They are questions worth answering before the world goes down the road of more state control. What will happen to the vehicles we now have, will they become obsolete, banned or limited in their use and what about the rest of the world?

Getting about.

The Automobile, Car.

It is being claimed that within the next ten-years all petrol driven cars will have given way to electric ones. This will be over other types and developments already under way, cars that are electric will of course be silent.

Another development is the driver less car which is already making progress, but I wonder what the side effects of all this new and cleaner technology will bring? 

Will the governments be able to override our speed on the roads and motorways, will they be able to track us with built in chips or will we all be under security surveillance. 

Despite the many good concepts, there is always an opposite and more sinister one.