Well, this year it is really a case of mark your own homework. However, the answers sent in were invaluable in providing alternative correct answers and giving a feel for which questions were actually found …
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London Reconnections 2022 Christmas Quiz
2022 sees a shorter quiz than usual primarily because your quizmaster has infrequently visited central London. Thank goodness for the opening of the Elizabeth line which has helped provide some of the questions. We hope …
Continue readingIn Pictures: Blackpool’s Historic Trams
We take a look at the hidden history of Blackpool’s tram network, lurking in the sheds at Blackpool Transport.
Continue readingTrouble in Tram Paradise by the Antipodean Light?
Melbourne City Snapshot While the rest of the public transport universe sees the world’s largest tram network in Melbourne as a public transport success, the reality is more complex. Having recently discussed the rebirth of …
Continue readingIKEA’s Crimes Against Cartography
Shopping at IKEA is an ordeal, an expedition. And IKEA has just made it harder. Whilst IKEA is the McDonald’s of housewares, its approach is quite different. IKEA offers the same products and experience all …
Continue readingGet him on the Blower!: The origins of Pneumatic Railways
Telegraphs were the internet of the Victorian Age. News of political and business developments could be sent around the world in near real time. However, the mass of telegrams converging on the network hub in …
Continue readingThe Crossrail November Timetable
TfL fairly recently issued a press release announcing daily through running on the Elizabeth line from Sunday 6th November 2022. This was not a surprise as a combination of leaks and intelligent guesswork based on …
Continue readingWe’re gonna need a bigger boat – London’s First Highway: Part 4
As passengers are returning to London’s transport, with some overcrowding, it’s time once again to turn our attention to the Thames’ role in expanding the region’s transport. The River was the capital’s original highway, and …
Continue readingElizabeth Line Envy: Thameslink deserves some map respect
In an episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation, Commander Riker was challenged by a subordinate. His response was “I bring all the options to the Captain.” This needs to be one of TfL’s map …
Continue readingCentral London Bus Cuts – An Alternative Viewpoint
With all that has been going on in the world, it may have actually escaped your attention that TfL are now consulting on a new round of bus cuts in central London. This is nothing …
Continue readingReconnections’ Miscellany: Good & bad transport language – June 2022
This month on Reconnections’ Miscellany: Bacronym Retronyms BUS – Bi-level Underground Substitute ESCALATOR – Electric Stair Case (Ascending/Lowering) Allowing Travellers Onward Routing OMNIBUS – Overland Metropolitan New Innovative Bi-level Underground Substitute DRIVERS – Defect-Responsive Independently-Verifying …
Continue readingChina’s annual December Metro openings bonanza
It has become a popular pastime among Chinese railfans to get really excited at around the end of December, as that is the period of a slew of metro openings across the country. And being …
Continue readingThe Purple Elephant in the Room: Crossrail’s Opening Date
Unsurprisingly, the subject of Crossrail/Elizabeth line opening dates is a hot topic in the transport community at the moment. In this article, we address that big purple elephant in the room. The truth is that …
Continue reading14 April: The Return of Meetups
It’s time to officially restart our monthly LR meetups, beginning on 14 April 2022. All are welcome, and conversation is often as much general as it is transport-specific. Like many, COVID has hit the LR …
Continue readingSydney: Suffering from style over substance
In the perennial battle to be the foremost Antipodean metropolis, Sydney has recently announced an ambitious addition to its existing extensive suburban rail, ferry, tram, and bus network – it’s first metro line, with automated …
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