DLR.
The development of the East-London (UK) Docklands light railway was to open up the old docks for new building regeneration and expansion. Light rail was chosen as a easier means than say an Underground extension or a tram way. The DLR was to be an automated train, no driver. but the guard could over ride the system in an emergency.
Initially the train ran from a new station at Tower Gateway, near to the Tower of London castle to Island Gardens on the southern end of the Isle of Dogs. Not really an island, but becoming one because several of the older docks cut up the area.
Thursday, 27 December 2012
Thursday, 20 December 2012
Santas Sled.
Humans have followed Santa over the years and developed the sled for moving across ice, from dogs to reindeer. Meanwhile since the development of the petrol engine the sled is now motorized. The use of the sled is a daily means of transport mostly for the Eskimo and Evenki peoples living in the northern regions of Canada, Alaska, Russia, Norway, Greenland, and Iceland. But there are many aircraft and helicopters that have been adapted to take skis or sleds to work in this environment.
I wonder were the legends of Santa with his sled come from, perhaps from a Lapp style people, who pull their houses by reindeer on sleds in N-Russia. Santa's sled is much different from anything that we could invent, his sled has to move, fly at hypersonic speeds to deliver presents to an estimated two billion children world-wide in 24 hours. I think if you do get to see him this Christmas, you must really be very privileged. ''HAPPY CHRISTMAS.''
I wonder were the legends of Santa with his sled come from, perhaps from a Lapp style people, who pull their houses by reindeer on sleds in N-Russia. Santa's sled is much different from anything that we could invent, his sled has to move, fly at hypersonic speeds to deliver presents to an estimated two billion children world-wide in 24 hours. I think if you do get to see him this Christmas, you must really be very privileged. ''HAPPY CHRISTMAS.''
Thursday, 13 December 2012
Luxury Cars.
Is there any value in owning a luxury car?
What do we want in a car, speed, 0-60 in 3.9 seconds, comfort, style and taste are these the essential keys to owning any car.
If we own this type of car, is to impress others, to say who we are or is it just for our own pleasure, and to express our self-achievement?
There are many models today on the market from stylish racey numbers to the more sublime and gentle, so what ever you can afford or want it is out there. Some cars are hand made, perhaps the personnel touch has more quality attached to it?
Porche, Lamborgene, BMW, Aston Martin, Mustang, Ferrari, Jaguar, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Lotus, Morgan, are but a few of what is available.
What do we want in a car, speed, 0-60 in 3.9 seconds, comfort, style and taste are these the essential keys to owning any car.
If we own this type of car, is to impress others, to say who we are or is it just for our own pleasure, and to express our self-achievement?
There are many models today on the market from stylish racey numbers to the more sublime and gentle, so what ever you can afford or want it is out there. Some cars are hand made, perhaps the personnel touch has more quality attached to it?
Porche, Lamborgene, BMW, Aston Martin, Mustang, Ferrari, Jaguar, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Lotus, Morgan, are but a few of what is available.
Thursday, 6 December 2012
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?
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?
Thursday, 29 November 2012
Flying Boats. Part-Two.
The days of the flying boats are not over yet?
This is perhaps one of the greatest feats in the aviation world to take-off and land from water. Many early aircraft in the 1920/30's were adapted to have floats, but it was the Shorts Sunderland that became the flagship carrier of the British BOAC.
World-war-II (1939-45) saw a increased demand on all sides for dedicated flying boats, such as the U.S. Catalina, and British Walrus, while several Italian and German types were also deployed. The flying boats were of great use at Sea to attack submarines and proved to be an invaluable tool.
After the war several nations went on to develop their own types of boats. The U.S. the UH-1 Albatross, Japan, the Kawasaki PS-1 and Russia their Beriev family BE-12/15, 606.
Today Canada builds the CL-215/415, while the Russians have developed the first jet powered flying boat, the Beriev A-40 and a civil version the BE-200. Many nations continue to use their world war-II boats and 1950's developments are still flying, such as the Mongoose.
This is perhaps one of the greatest feats in the aviation world to take-off and land from water. Many early aircraft in the 1920/30's were adapted to have floats, but it was the Shorts Sunderland that became the flagship carrier of the British BOAC.
World-war-II (1939-45) saw a increased demand on all sides for dedicated flying boats, such as the U.S. Catalina, and British Walrus, while several Italian and German types were also deployed. The flying boats were of great use at Sea to attack submarines and proved to be an invaluable tool.
After the war several nations went on to develop their own types of boats. The U.S. the UH-1 Albatross, Japan, the Kawasaki PS-1 and Russia their Beriev family BE-12/15, 606.
Today Canada builds the CL-215/415, while the Russians have developed the first jet powered flying boat, the Beriev A-40 and a civil version the BE-200. Many nations continue to use their world war-II boats and 1950's developments are still flying, such as the Mongoose.
Thursday, 22 November 2012
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?
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?
Thursday, 15 November 2012
Icebreakers.
The Ice breaking ship was and is very much associated with Russia, but many other nations have them too. the U.S.A, Canada, Japan and the U.K. To be enabled to break ice and allow shipping to access ports in winter is quite a feat and an essential.
Many of the largest ships built by the Russians were used for exploration and spying of one kind or another. To have access to both poles was a breakthrough in engineering.
These type of ships will probably remain being built and improved in their capabilities for the years to come. Man has leaned much about the polar regions on the planet, but there is still so much more.
Many of the largest ships built by the Russians were used for exploration and spying of one kind or another. To have access to both poles was a breakthrough in engineering.
These type of ships will probably remain being built and improved in their capabilities for the years to come. Man has leaned much about the polar regions on the planet, but there is still so much more.
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