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I have a soft spot for last-century (and older!) electric trams (streetcars) still in regular operational service. It stems from riding Soviet-era trams in Sofia (Bulgaria) and Budapest (Hungary) in the mid-1990s. More recently, I keep a casual eye out for older trams when I holiday with my...

I proudly admit to being fairly bus-ignorant! However, numerous Rail Replacement Bus periods, in Havant area these past two years, opened my eyes a little. One thing I do look out for, is one-off liveries on the local and hire-in buses. Attached are three examples from our local Stagecoach fleet...

What turns a forum member from Established Member to Veteran Member?

The North Eastern Railway 1500v DC EE1 electric locomotive number 13, was built prior to any electrification between York and Newcastle - its raison d'etre - and so the locomotive was broken up without turning a wheel in revenue service. The Rail Operating Group's class 93 - from what I read in...

An upper quadrant semaphore signal versus lower quadrant semaphore. What are the principle pros and cons of each? All I can think of, is that an upper quadrant signal arm, if it is weighted by snow, will "fail-safe" dropping to show "danger".

A non-railway topic - but with a trait that resonates with railway lovers: "Gotta get them all" e.g. numbers, track routes, haulage. I've set myself a whimsical task, to find as many variations of free-standing (pillar) and wall post boxes within a radius "one hour's drive from home". A wall...

The thread at the foot of this post, got me thinking of all the railtours I went on. I was into route-covering and, apart from "Fellsman 2", they all gave me new track. Irish Traction Group's "Sligo Avoider" was a favourite: it was so different; and came with unexpected bonus of additional...

Which UK station sees the most number of different classes of traction running timetabled paths during a single day? A whimsical look on Realtime Trains made me realise there's more variety on the UK's railways than I cynically thought (my active years were the 1980s and the first half of the...

I have started this thread after becoming rather too addicted (so my wife says...) to the capabilities of AI and Big Data. There are several AI image generators. I use Google Gemini. These images are created using my own descriptions into AI. Add your realistic AI generated railway themed...

During my whimsical West Coastway wanders, I have found a few bracket mounted semaphore signals still in use. I'd love to see your pictures, of bracket semaphore signals in use around the rail network. Examples: Bognor Regis, Littlehampton, Marchwood (former Fawley branch). One is a "pure SR"...

Hoping a reader with local knowledge can guide me on this: An unexpected bereavement on my wife's side, this week, necessitated a trip to Ebbw Vale. I had not explored the area during my "track bashing" years, as the line was still freight-only. As we drove through Crumlin, I was struck by the...

Numerous urban roads and guided busways, in the UK, have been constructed upon the alignment of former railway lines. However, I am curious to learn of which M- or A- trunk roads (incl bypasses) have been laid along former railway routes? Example: The M90 uses some of the former Glenfarg...

I didn't see a forum thread about Railway 200's event preparations and loco / stock movements. Feel free to share insight / news (evidenced rather than speculative, please) and related interesting info. Starter for ten: Rail Operations Group has posted a photo on LinkedIn. I am looking...

What military craft have you seen, in a decidedly un-military location? I lived in London Docklands from 2005 to 2012 and we had occasional visits from air and sea craft. Here is a selection: - HMS Illustrious, Invincible class aircraft carrier, moored by Greenwich pier, with Army and Navy...

I've recently been getting into fish. I don't mean I've turned  pescatarian - I mean, I've been digesting online resources about UK dedicated fish trains of the LMS, LNER and early Nationalisation. These sites whetted my appetite for fish...

I'm no bus guru but recently I noticed the variety of models and providers hired-in for local events and rail-replacement services. A few motley photos are here: https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/rail-replacements-and-hire-ins.262765/ Now - an ask of the wise forum members: Posts #19, #23...

Does any forum reader use a "D segment" sized EV that can comfortably manage a 430 range and wiith the electrics on (e.g. for dark + wet + cold driving)? I have a regular work trip: c.430 miles from the Hants / East Sussex coast to Nottingham and back; and generally a lack of charging provision...

Hoping for wise advice, before I try a SWR ticket office later this month: My wife has a work meeting in Shoreditch and she'll need to be there for 10am start. We live on the coast - Havant is the nearest principle station she'll use for London. Looks like SWR Havant-Waterloo, then the Jubilee...

Sobering reading this morning. Thoughts with all of those affected. (09:00 GMT) now declared a mass casualty incudent. Baltimore bridge collapses into river after being hit by cargo ship https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-us-canada-68663071 The actual moment of collapse...

Mod note - split from https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/gbrf-confirms-conversion-of-class-56s-to-class-69s.180582/page-39#post-6661016 Yes. 1978, I recall being wowed at the sight of 56036 in the railway press. I think the first 47s with large logos, were 1981 (e.g. 47583 with...