AI-generated (not entirely realistic) railway images

[Sun Chariot]

Was that engine 60163 by any chance?

The Bognor one? Nope, I wrote a Bulleid Light Pacific West Country class* into my text prompt. Gemini found reference data and created one from scratch in the very place I told it.

* TAW V-AI-LLEY

I also wrote a Bulleid BTK carriage - and that result was the first time it has found reference data and rendered correctly. Other results of the BTK were woeful!

The signals and the station throat were easy to write, simply because I knew it's a very popular spot and plenty of photos in the public domain; so Gemini had ample reference data to sift, combine and create its result.


My "proper" images are on RM Web (link is at the end of now-dormant Realistic AI Railway Images thread on this forum). That covers the Big Four, Nationalisation, Prototype Diesels, British Rail decades, privatisation and international railway. Every one made merely with a detailed descriptive prompt.

 

[Topological]

I was pleased to see the modern lighting in what is presumably a depot. There was a danger some of those pictures were off-topic for a not-entirely-realistic thread

 

[Sun Chariot]

I was pleased to see the modern lighting in what is presumably a depot. There was a danger some of those pictures were off-topic for a not-entirely-realistic thread

Well spotted - highly unrealistic carriage-yard lighting posts for the 1960s.
The other three images have Mk1 carriages with a window or two "wrong" for an FO / a TSO. So not-entirely-realistic.

 

[Topological]

Slightly out of order from the story, but here we see Anika and The Academic have come down from the valleys to spend some time at The Chariot Guesthouse.



Visitors to Swansea will know that there is still an old footbridge from the days when the railway ran down the side of the beach. Not as ornate as the one here, but nonetheless a similar principle.

Cliff Richard is also in town, so we know this image is out of order from the Life thru a Men's album that Robbie Williams debuted almost 30 years ago.

 

[Sun Chariot]

Ah that's the photo I couldn't find in my own old albums (post 1,338). The Chariot hostelry and catering chain had entered the valleys, wiped-off and cleaned up the dubious reputation of Abercwmfaes, then - bouyed by its success - expanded to South Wales' coastal towns.

The Chariot's seeming monopoly visible in your album photo @Topological , masks the fact all those B&Bs had previously been N&N's - that town's less salubrious (but no less popular) Nosh & Nookie houses. One weekend stay, one night stand or one hour laying-down, they catered for all sorts and the rates were good.
The local health centre did roaring trade, too.

 

[Topological]

Possibly inspired by their past, The Chariot have gone for an upgraded offer in the contemporary scene. Sadly another scene where the railway is long lost to the car.



Presumably this is Harry Styles on the red bus. Most others have gone on a summer holiday to Ibiza with the Wenga Boys. The beach is very quiet.

The statistics academic in me wonders whether a footbridge would cause a large increase in beach use.

 

[Sun Chariot]

Rick Stein isn't the only fish-conoisseur. An experience with NOSH coastal cuisine lasts longer than the eating.

The brand NOSH nearly didn't come about: Chariot chain entered into the late Honor Blackman's embryonic eateries, which she named after her character in Bond movie Goldfinger. A collaboration short-lived, due to most punters thinking it was a different type of establishment.

 

[Ashley Hill]

When role play goes wrong. "That is not what I meant when I said pretend to be a Fireman!"

 

[Sun Chariot]

When role play goes wrong. "That is not what I meant when I said pretend to be a Fireman!"
View attachment 206436

At least he didn't dress like a Southampton Docks railway worker, when she told him she liked seamen.

 

[Topological]

Rick Stein isn't the only fish-conoisseur. An experience with NOSH coastal cuisine lasts longer than the eating.

The brand NOSH nearly didn't come about: Chariot chain entered into the late Honor Blackman's embryonic eateries, which she named after her character in Bond movie Goldfinger. A collaboration short-lived, due to most punters thinking it was a different type of establishment.

I suspect there are rules against advertising, but I am sorry to hear about the Chariot's failed business venture. Here, in the Cardiff suburbs, we find another branch of The Chariot conglomerate. The Galore Cat Cafes...


It does not look like business is booming, but perhaps Modicum gets a lot of foot traffic.

We can only assume that recreating the Summer Holiday video is so popular that every contemporary artist is giving it a go. It does feel like a long slog up the M4, but no danger of getting caught by the cameras around Swindon.

 

[Sun Chariot]

Experiencing the delights of that brand of Scandinavian furnishing, typically happens after fine brunch, lunch, or anytime vigorous munch at the Galore Cat cafe
Unless that particular furnishing brand is fake, of course.
Faking a Modicum is a no-no.

 

[Akela]

Slightly out of order from the story, but here we see Anika and The Academic have come down from the valleys to spend some time at The Chariot Guesthouse.

View attachment 206420

Visitors to Swansea will know that there is still an old footbridge from the days when the railway ran down the side of the beach. Not as ornate as the one here, but nonetheless a similar principle.

Cliff Richard is also in town, so we know this image is out of order from the Life thru a Men's album that Robbie Williams debuted almost 30 years ago.

Speaking of which, while a full mainline railway like that is obviously a bit unrealistic a modern tramline that roughly follows the route of the Mumbles tramway, then doing a loop around the city centre and terminating at Swansea central station would be very popular I think.

 

[Topological]

Speaking of which, while a full mainline railway like that is obviously a bit unrealistic a modern tramline that roughly follows the route of the Mumbles tramway, then doing a loop around the city centre and terminating at Swansea central station would be very popular I think.

I would agree. The cycleway on the old trackbed is quite an asset for the bay, but there is ample room for a tram line along the road if necessary. With Singleton Campus of the university out that way it would work. Could even come the other way to the new developments on the waterfront (SA1) and then up to the Park and Ride and the Bay Campus. The latter part does feature in some of the more involved "Swansea Metro" maps. Some even show the line continuing up to Neath.

A slight anachronism in the past photo as the tank engine had been given a repaint into GWR livery for something of a farewell to steam. Cardiff was also at the cutting edge of bollards and parking restrictions. Possibly these are the inspiration for Wales leading the reduction to 20mph in built up areas today.

 

[Henffordd]

I like the auntie Rover - I had one for a few years. But the rear doors? There was a name for them....

 

[Ashley Hill]

The heatwave is starting to affect rail services as the vinyl wraps start to melt.

 

[D6130]

The heatwave is starting to affect rail services as the vinyl wraps start to melt.
View attachment 206504

Looks as though the catenary over the centre track has also melted....forcing the IET to run over an electrified line on diesel power!

 

[Ashley Hill]

Looks as though the catenary over the centre track has also melted....forcing the IET to run over an electrified line on diesel power!

Copper theives!

 

[Topological]

To me it looks more like they only electrified two tracks, but rather than waste time messing about with removing the far track they just planted the OHLE into the track. My eye says that there is an alignment with the IET and the wires.

Not sure why the IET has been sent to the ECML though. I guess this is the post GBR world where LNER and GWR can share their fleets.

 

[Sun Chariot]

Of course GWR IETs aren't really running along the "whatever happened to..." upgraded route between Bicester & Bletchley.
However, it offers GWR a potential option; and, October 2024, I photographed 800 005 operating several test-paths.


An "Uh oh" moment when the barrel-end of the leading water tank wagon unexpectedly ruptures.
Another "Uh oh" moment, when the approaching locomotive clearly has a substantial fire within a traction motor.

 

[Ashley Hill]

Of course GWR IETs aren't really running along the "whatever happened to..." upgraded route between Bicester & Bletchley

I wouldn’t be so sure of that. Diversions could be taking place this December into Euston!

 

[Topological]

Of course GWR IETs aren't really running along the "whatever happened to..." upgraded route between Bicester & Bletchley.
However, it offers GWR a potential option; and, October 2024, I photographed 800 005 operating several test-paths.


An "Uh oh" moment when the barrel-end of the leading water tank wagon unexpectedly ruptures.
Another "Uh oh" moment, when the approaching locomotive clearly has a substantial fire within a traction motor.

Needs the water tank to pass the burning train.

Is it one "Uh oh" moment for every gift that Scotland give to Brazil?

 

[Sun Chariot]

Is it one "Uh oh" moment for every gift that Scotland give to Brazil?

 

[Akela]

Something to replace the TFW MK4’s one day, perhaps?

Also, I appreciate that ChatGPT’s imagination of Wales comes with overcast weather. I think I’m done with this heatwave.

 

[D6130]

Something to replace the TFW MK4’s one day, perhaps?

Also, I appreciate that ChatGPT’s imagination of Wales comes with overcast weather. I think I’m done with this heatwave.

Nice picture....but I can't imagine that the Marches Line will ever be electrified!

 

[Sun Chariot]

Clearly fake - because these show a sunny day and the trains haven't been cancelled.

Something to replace the TFW MK4’s one day, perhaps?

Interesting tri-track. A new ultra-broad gauge for local services?

 

[Northumbriana]

Maybe with Burnham in Number 10 we will see 350/2 in Manchester.

View attachment 206225

A possible prophecy that the new mayor is already in Number 11.

The train is the new mayor and is being announced at Liverpool Street?

 

[Sun Chariot]

Of course the class 52 didn't receive TOPS running numbers; and wasn't relegated to non-passenger for years longer than all the railway histories tell us. Still...

 

[D6130]

Of course the class 52 didn't receive TOPS running numbers; and wasn't relegated to non-passenger for years longer than all the railway histories tell us. Still...

During the early 1970s the Westerns were regular performers on the Westbury to Botley and Fareham stone trains....but - IIRC - the Westbury crews only signed as far as Portsmouth Harbour, so they never penetrated as far East as Chichester.

 

[Sun Chariot]

During the early 1970s the Westerns were regular performers on the Westbury to Botley and Fareham stone trains....but - IIRC - the Westbury crews only signed as far as Portsmouth Harbour, so they never penetrated as far East as Chichester.

That's why I made them for this thread.

I saw a photo, years ago, of a Western with a rake of Yeoman PGA wagons, during the (iirc) M4 Western Section Expansion construction.

 

[D6130]

That's why I made them for this thread.
I saw a photo, years ago, of a Western with a rake of Yeoman PGA wagons, during the (iirc) M4 Western Section Expansion construction.

IIRC, the Botley and Fareham stone terminals were originally opened for the M27 construction phase....but were subsequently used for the delivery of various grades of aggregate for the building industry.