Tag: infrastructure

  • Switzerland’s first ever cable car was once to be found near Grindelwald. Sometimes it is extolled as the first in the world – which it certainly is when it is described in the technical sense it was – as lift or aufzug (German for elevator). The Wetterhorn Aufzug was a short lived operation nevertheless in…

  • Plateways, characterized by their flat-topped rails or “plates” often laid on stone blocks, were designed to be pulled by horses. These early railways were primarily for private transport of goods – usually for canals, mines or factories. The Surrey Iron Railway was in essence a public railway, being accessible to any individual or company willing…

  • Remember the post A Revisionist Surrey Iron Railway? This post goes further that the detail featured in the previous one – and that because its not a revision in any way or form. In fact its a prequel of sorts to the Surrey and Croydon to Merstham iron railways. And that means its both factual…

  • A quick post on the latest involving the Llangollen canal at Whitchurch especially after a comment that was posted on this blog. Yesterday several including Taylors and Court Above the Cut attended a tour of the breach site conducted by CRT’s Project Manager. At the point where they went down to the entrance to the…

  • Canal Breach news (2)

    This is the first canal breach post since 29th January 2026 when the last one was done! However I have kept a continual monitor upon what has been happening and made lots of notes and screencaps and links to various videos and the different stages of the work to begin to set up the Whitchurch…

  • In brief…

    The main news is Euston’s new Assisted Travel Lounge that recently opened. More on that in a bit but first a brief on the Waymos being seen about London’s streets… 1) Way to go! Spotted my very first Waymo yesterday! What an exciting moment! Like all other reports of Waymos in London this had a…

  • On March 2nd 2026 Chancellor Reeves inadvertently eulogised what the railways are most excellent at. This being the art of aural communications. Its so much easier to pick up a microphone and make announcements isn’t it? “This government is making sure passengers aren’t asked to spend a penny more on regulated fares, including season tickets…

  • Men in the railways

    This weekend’s March 8th 2026 is International Womens Day. Despite the advent of a number of equality measures the status of women is still affected by numerous obstacles in many areas of society – and that includes the railway. That because railways have always been designed by men. That has changed somewhat in the last…

  • England and Wales’ canal network will receive an additional £6.5 million in government funding to enhance resilience against extreme weather and maintenance costs. This adds to the existing £52.6 million annual funding for the Canal and River Trust (CRT). The investment aims to extend the life of critical assets such as embankments and reservoirs, supporting…

  • Today (Saturday 31st January 2026) Great Western Railway’s battery train (Class 230) began public service. Initially it will operate Saturdays only with a view to increased coverage during the week as the year progresses. I attended the first day’s operation in the early morning with the 08.15, 08.45 and 09.15 trips from West Ealing to…

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