The most recent updates from my various webpages. To keep up-to-date on the topics covered, follow @andrew_grantham on Twitter for railways (and other things which interest me), and @ConcreteEar for sound mirrors and suchlike.
Railways of Afghanistan
If you thought Afghanistan was bereft of railroads, read on for a story of international intrigue, invasion plans, the Great Game, and powers imperial and hydro-electric.
- Route of the Khaf – Herat railway 17 October 2017
An attempt to gather together some information on the construction phases of the Iran to Herat railway line. Has anyone got a good map of the route? This should not be taken as definitive! Corrections … - Iran – Afghanistan railway to be completed in 10 days? 16 October 2017
Construction work on a segment of railroad project extended from Iran to Afghanistan in western Herat province will be finished in the next 10 days and then put into service, said the Iranian Ambassad … - Khaf – Herat railway photos 10 October 2017
Some photos of the Khaf – Herat railway project, posted on Twitter by Ahmad Mirzad, Online News Editor at 1TV. #Khawaf-Herat Railway, #Afghanistan pic.twitter.com/VPbMpSSkRu — Ahmad Mirzad (@Ahmad07Mi … - Khyber Pass railway revival contemplated 25 September 2017
The government of Pakistan is considering plans rebuild the Khyber Pass railway, reports the Express Tribune. Pakistan Railways’ chairperson Perveen Agha along with other senior officials visited the … - King Amanullah travel video 10 September 2017
Sound mirrors
Follow @ConcreteEar on Twitter for sound mirror news and updates.
- How to find planes without radar 13 February 2017
Acoustic mirrors: how to find planes without radar, by Al Williams at Hackaday (“entertainment for engineers and engineering enthusiasts”): While today the acoustic mirror is a museum curiosity, befor … - 2017 Denge sound mirror open day date 6 February 2017
This year’s annual open day at the Denge sound mirrors is scheduled for 10:00 to 15:00 on Saturday 15 July 2017. Open days are the ONLY WAY to access the Denge listening ears. There will be a cash-onl … - Stuck at Dover? See a sound mirror! 25 July 2016
The Guardian article How to amuse yourself in a 14-hour queue at Dover suggests: “The A20 between Folkestone and Dover can be an area of breathtaking beauty, with sea views and endless greenery to dis … - Covenant names new single Sound Mirrors 14 July 2016
Swedish band Covenant has announced that its new single to be released on 26 August 2016 will be called ‘Sound Mirrors’. Music publisher Dependent says: Covenant’s new single ‚Sound Mirrors’ gives us … - Drone films Denge sound mirrors 13 July 2016
Filming with a drone – The Dungeness Sound Mirrors. pic.twitter.com/Kc2zZ0CZJW — Tim Paine (@TimPaine) June 25, 2016 CEMEX UK commissioned ECP Video to produce a short documentary on the history of th …
Railways of Iraq
- Pictures of Baghdad Central station 29 November 2016
BBC report In pictures: The crown jewel of Iraq’s railway. See if you can spot the steam loco in the second and the last photos. - Mobile friendly 13 April 2015
I have changed this website’s WordPress theme, so hopefully it should now be more mobile device friendly. Let me know if anything doesn’t work. Meanwhile, I would recommend following “Historical Railw … - New coaches for Iraqi Republic Railways 16 January 2015
Tüvasaş has built 14 coaches for Iraqi Republic Railways, including 2 sleeping, 4 couchette and 2 restaurant cars pic.twitter.com/CM4IdLrKvC — Railway Gazette (@railwaygazette) January 14, 2015 - Derailment response vehicle for IRR 29 September 2014
One of 7 Zagro derailment response vehicles ordered by Iraqi Republic Railways, on show at #InnoTrans pic.twitter.com/J0HmL5iUER — Railway Gazette (@railwaygazette) September 26, 2014 - New Chinese train for Iraq unveiled 25 February 2014
The first of the new inter-city trains for the Baghdad – Basra corridor has been rolled out by Chinese manufacturer CSR Sifang.
Other – travel and similar
If God had intended us to fly, He would never have given us the railways.
- Drachenfels railway 9 October 2017
A trip on the Drachenfels narrow gauge rack railway near Bonn in Germany in September 2017. I was looking to have a go at filming something using a mobile phone, and this seemed a handy excuse. - Black 5 passes through Hackbridge 5 October 2017
Black Five number 45212 passes through Hackbridge in south London on the evening of 5 October 2017 with a Steam Dreams train from Swanage to West Brompton. - Wall paintings at St Botolph’s church, Hardham 2 October 2017
The rather wonderful mediaeval wall paintings at St Botolph’s church in Hardham in West Sussex. They are thought to have been painted by what is now known as the “Lewes Group” of artists shortly after … - Paddle ship Goethe 9 September 2017
Köln-Düsseldorfer Deutsche Rheinschiffahrt paddle ship ‘Goethe’ travelling through the Rhine Gorge on the Middle Rhine between Bingen and Oberwesel in September 2017. Short and long versions of the vi … - North Downs Way – Etchinghill to Dover 13 August 2017
Walking the North Downs Way from Etchinghill to Dover in Kent. The Channel Tunnel terminal, the sea, a sound mirror, France in the distance, fortifications and the end.