Friday, November 10, 2023

Modern non polluting transport

There have been many steam train tours this year. I checked the Steamrail timetable one day and caught a tram to Flinders Street Station and the train was very punctual, and also did not hang around. Doesn't the train just look glorious. Ha, a vertical funnel, vertical smoke, vertical Elizabeth clock tower and the vertical tall building, probably the Rialto. 


Where is the 'smoking car'?





I wish old trams could come out of storage and run around in a similar manner. Aside from operational costs, the main cost would be converting them from pole to receive power from the overhead wiring to a pantograph. 

29 comments:

  1. Trams are still an issue for many in my city. We have a local election next year and if there is a change of government they will not continue to spread.

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    1. Indeed EC, with its wireless system past the parliament area if it does go ahead. I have no knowledge about the popularity of your current government, which is perhaps a good thing for the party.

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  2. Such a glamorous form of travel, albeit a little messy.
    We get so many steam train enthusiasts here in the summer season. It is a very popular tourist attraction.

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    1. JayCee, that is a nice little earner for your island. I get why it is popular.

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  3. That train would be so much fun to travel in. Or at least it looks like it would. We are finally going to get some of the speed trains over here. I'm hoping they do one from Charlotte to Philly.
    Take care. Sandra sandracox.blogspot.com

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    1. That's great news Sandra. I must follow that up. It is no surprise that your only high speed train is between Washington and New York.

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  4. It's always a good day out on a heritage railway. The North York Moors (Pickering to Whitgy) is wonderful.

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    1. Another system for me to look at Tasker. There are so many heritage railways in the world, but they are mostly dependant on the skill and knowledge of older (white?) men, who have a bit of a reputation for being grumpy old men and not patient with young people. I am sure there are exceptions.

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  5. Steam train just looks so good. Especially with the Flinders Station as a backdrop.

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    1. Roentare, aside from The Rialto, the scene would not have been so different several decades ago.

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  6. We used to have streetcars and electric buses with the pole on top and they were always popping off and the driver would leap out to re-connect things. I miss that on the new streetcars.

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    1. Pat, when we were in Toronto in 2015? I don't think there were any pantograph trams. They used to come off here too, sometimes being a disaster. Pantographs are much better.

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  7. We had steam trains down this way a few weeks ago. That could be fun.
    They are filthy beasts, though! Coal dust on the washing.

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    1. Merlot, I have heard the coal dust and smuts on washing from train smoke. I guess a steam train came to Bairnsdale?

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  8. Thank you for sharing. Trains are interesting, whatever their various issues. Be well!

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    1. They are fun to watch Darla, but too much fun to ride in.

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  9. I remember smoking cars, but were they at the front of trains or at the back? No need for them now though with smoking not allowed on public transport.

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    1. I can't really remember River, but I can remember butts on the floors and the smoking car signs.

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  10. I like how the train and the train station compliment each other.

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  11. Looking good, I've only been on a steam train!
    That must tell my age..lol

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    1. Yes, well Margaret, no passenger trains for you, but it is good that remember them.

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  12. That looks a beauty. It is fun to go on the old trains for a ride but I wouldn't like to use them all the time. I used to travel on a steam train from home to Central Station in Sydney when I started work in 1960.

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    1. Ok Diane, Sydney steam trains must have disappeared soon after that. I should remember but you were not within the suburban electric system then.

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  13. Beautiful engine and carriages, but the smuts . . .

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  14. Steam trains are fun to watch, fun to hear, fun to ride.

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