During the IMechE’s Railway Challenge in 2019, the judges were hugely impressed with the composite bogie and springs demonstrated on the Poznan University of Technology’s 10¼-inch locomotive. They were so impressed that they awarded a …
Continue readingAuthor: Long Branch Mike
Soviet fleet on the Thames (Part 1)
What do Russian hydrofoils, the Thames, the CIA, a secret city in the Soviet Union, and the Caspian Sea Monster have in common? Two mavericks on either side of the Iron Curtain, who made it …
Continue readingHow Scotland is maximising the Sparks Effect (GarethDennis)
Electrification in England and Wales has not been as quick or cost-effective as expected, resulting in scheme cancellations and a loss of appetite in government. Gareth Dennis investigates why Scotland still has a taste for …
Continue readingMonday’s Friday Reads – 18 May 2020
• London’s StreetSpace central car-free plan explained (TransportXtra) • NHS bosses urge pop-up cycleways for UK cities (Forbes) • Mail Rail virtual ride (PostalMuseum) • Steampunk model railway enthusiast has designs used by Hornby (BBC) …
Continue readingCutting costs on Coventry’s ultra light rail (NewCivEng)
French engineering consultant Ingerop Conseil et Ingénierie has been brought in to drive down the cost of Coventry’s very light rail scheme. A contract notice on the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) reveals …
Continue readingFriday Reads – 15 May 2020
• Rebuilding Shadwell DLR & Overground stations into one (IanVisits) • Hidden Moorgate Station history and tour (LondonInheritance) • Reversing Beeching options (RailStaff) • 2 for 1 Tyne pedestrian & cycle tunnels in Newcastle (BeautyOfTransport) …
Continue readingRail solar trial in Wales (E&T)
A British solar power company is working on technology that could enable railways all over the world to be powered by renewable energy, with South Wales seen as a likely testbed for the equipment. Riding …
Continue readingConstraints to UK rail freight growth (RailFreight)
The UK could see strong long-term growth in the sector, as long as the strategic planning of the rail network takes rail freight into account. This was the forecast of Mike Garratt, a UK consultant …
Continue readingParis Métro tests face mask recognition software (Bloomberg)
The Paris metro authority is testing CCTV software to detect whether travelers are wearing face masks. It’s part of the city’s efforts to end lockdown and help prevent the spread of Covid-19, but it’s raised …
Continue readingMonday’s Friday Reads – 11 May 2020
• UK Govt boosts cycling & walking with £2bn post-pandemic plan (Forbes) • We need health warning labels on fossil fuel sales (BritishMedJ) • New metro rail services urged to connect housing clusters (CIHT) • …
Continue readingElectric vehicles & Covid-19 potential impact (Fore)
The EV space has been, is, and will be rapidly evolving for the foreseeable future and its associated news-cycle is mercurial. This has been no better demonstrated than in recent weeks where we’ve been provided …
Continue readingFriday Reads – 8 May 2020
• New Streetspace plan will fast track overhaul London’s streets (Guardian) • HS2 will build underground connection to Euston Square station (IanVisits) • Rethinking funding London transport (CentreForLondon) • Trainspotters: do your thing – at …
Continue readingWho owns transport data, & whomst profits? (StreetsBlog)
Most of us are already sharing our location with private corporations almost every day. Could we use that data for good — or do we need to fight back against rider surveillance? Imagine a world …
Continue readingInnovation in world’s largest tram network (RailExpress)
Melbourne’s iconic tram network operates across 250km of double track. Xavier Leal from Keolis Downer shares Yarra Trams’ latest innovation strategy that is digitising the network’s 5,000 daily services. Operations throughout the urban tram network …
Continue readingMonday’s Friday Reads – 4 May 2020
• Improving air quality at railway stations to fight Covid (RailwayTech) • London’s street parking takes the space of 10 Hyde Parks (CityMetric) • NR & Festival of Architecture reveal Sitting Pretty designs (RailBusinessDaily) • …
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