Archive for the ‘Overseas’ Category

Elevated railway system for Dublin

Thursday, June 17th, 2010

I am in Chicago currently and have noticed that a considerable part of their Metro system runs above ground elevated on metal girders (think the Loop Line all over Dublin).

As an efficient use of space, it is second to none, requires less disuption to traffic to build and provide visually appealing public infrastructure.

I can only imagine the response of Frank McDonald of the Irish Times to my suggestion. Probably give the man a heart attack. Of course, that could be seen as an ancilliary benefit!

Brain dead Brain dead Brain dead

Friday, March 19th, 2010

And for once it is not Irish Rail. The Belfast Telegraph has reported on how a musician was removed from a train in England after listing the tracks his band were going to play at an upcoming concert, one of which was by “The Killers”.

Woman dies as train hits two cars in Herefordshire

Sunday, January 17th, 2010

The BBC has reported that a train has hit two cars on a level crossing in Herefordshire. To hit one car is inconvenient, to hit two looks suspicious.

Did the track circuits fail? Or is the train involved like the ARROWs?

Near miss on Boston Subway

Tuesday, November 10th, 2009

Many news sites, including the Irish Independent have reported on this video clip of a drunk passenger falling onto the tracks of the Boston Subway.

As she has admitted being drunk, I would hope that she faces criminal charges.

Don’t moon at the trains

Tuesday, October 13th, 2009

Not in Germany, anyway. Reuters has reported on a story about a student put off a train for not having a ticket to travel. His response was to moon at the train but ended up getting his clothes caught in the train as it left the station and was dragged along for 200 metres before a considerate passenger pulled the emergency cord to stop the train.

He faces multiple criminal charges and could face civil action for compensation too.

Iron Road Iran

Wednesday, June 10th, 2009

We know about CIE Consult - but it looks like they missed a gig in Iran.

According to the Irish Independent, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s election campaign posters include a photograph of an Irish Rail 181 Class locomotive with the tag line “the country is advancing as rapidly as a train”. Obviously that would not be a train on the Nenagh branch or the South Wexford.

I hope someone doesn’t tell him that they serve alcohol on Irish trains. I also doubt that the stations face towards Mecca.

CIE Tours International bus - YN08 NXR

Wednesday, April 1st, 2009

Where do I start? Use of a British registered/taxed/insured (are you insured or should I approach the British authorities on that front - after all the unconstitutional Road Traffic Act of 1961 does not extend to allowing to be uninsured in the UK).

Parked on double yellow lines at 1719 on 1st April 2009 outside the Mont Clare Hotel in Dublin 2 during clearway operational hours (per the signs clearway operational between 0700 and 1000 & 1230 and 1900.

I am opposed to all forms of clamping - but I would make an exception for this. Pity the scumbags are never around when you need them.

Domain Renewal Group

Tuesday, October 21st, 2008

After the 800 euro directory entries, these scammers must rank next as the scummiest bottom feeders around. I already have a domain registrant and am perfectly happy with them. Go to hell.

Internet Register Ireland

Wednesday, September 17th, 2008

Scammers and fraudsters. If you receive one of these in the post, above all, do not sign it. However, what you should do is return their post paid envelope via the nearest postbox, empty. That way they will be paying An Post for the privelege of getting back their empty envelope.

Railway Trespass with a difference

Friday, August 22nd, 2008

There is railway trespass and there is railway trespass. I have no problems with the former, the latter I have an issue with. As an example, the Metro reported on a story from England, of some of Her Majesty’s finest subjects carrying a metal wheelchair ramp off the platform at Addlestone station in Surrey, on a third rail electrified line, down onto the track (very smart with a third rail - even if you are wearing a rubber suit (nice!)) and laying the metal ramp onto the 750 volts live rail. Unfortunately, he doesn’t get a Darwin Award, only an honourable mention.