Hydrogen Power has Arrived.

 India for a Scooter and Spain for a new type of Ship.

In recent years we have been crazy on everything electric, now in light of the rise in fuel prices at £2+ pounds per litre if no higher, but now the long awaited hydro powered 'real McCoy' has arrived and this will be the future for all transport!

The development of the electric battery will continue to improve in light of the European heatwave and many vehicle fires if not deaths?

With these new alternative fuel options the reliance of fossil fuels will diminish with time and thus we will have many new machines to use, but one cannot be complacent since heavy industries will still need the old fuels to making the newer things!

New Trains for Virgin.

In Great Britain.

The Azuma class is to be the new Virgin Rail replacement for the Italian built Pendolinas, speed is perhaps the most consideration and the expansion to other routes? Many new types are entering service across the U.K. but despite this the problems of overcrowding remain.

London is the focus hub of most of the investment into new stock, while other parts such as Wales have to suffer with serious shortages of rolling stock and the many excuses that the operators have come up with?

Meanwhile one visiting the many yard and holding points such as Crewe can see much unused stock in the colours of the various companies? With the price hike in fares and the southern-rail industrial action things are not getting better with cosmetic make ups on an old decaying system?

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 Yet one has to stand back and take notice that many withdrawn and older types are being brought back into service with new fresh coats of paint.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.