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.
- King Amanullah and a Pullman car 14 August 2017
This photo appeared on a King Amanullah fan group on Facebook. I am not sure where the location is, but it could be during his trip to Portland to see a naval demonstration on Tuesday 3 April 1928. Ki … - Khaf – Herat railway MoU signed 31 July 2017
Preparation meeting for 3rd phase of Khawaf-Herat Railway, customs facilities & border cooperation pic.twitter.com/7JFimE07iO — Eklil Hakimi (@EklilHakimi) July 29, 2017 Railways of the Islamic Re … - Hairatan photo 18 July 2017
Not sure what is happening here, but there is a train. امروزسه شنبه27.04.1396ریاست اداره خدمات بندرحیرتان(شرکت استراس)پورت نمبر5خویش راواقع میدان هوایی ولایت بلخ رسماًافتتاح کرد#حیرتان#hairatan pic.tw … - Afghanistan seeks Uzbek export route 11 July 2017
Pres @ashrafghani soon travels to Uzbekistan to open the country’s railways to #Afghanistan. 5/16 pic.twitter.com/kDahiE7I6b — ارگ (@ARG_AFG) July 11, 2017 Afghan side can not send cargo to #Uzbekista … - Turkmenistan – Afghanistan rail links to be upgraded 4 July 2017
President Ashraf Ghani of Afghanistan made an official visit to Turkmenistan’s President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov in Ashgabat on 3 July 2017. Pres @ashrafghani emphasized regional connectivity, and a …
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.
- 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. - North Downs Way – Wye to Etchinghill 12 August 2017
Walking the North Downs Way from Wye to Etchinghill in Kent. Some good views of villages and countryside, plus a pub and an airfield. - North Downs Way – Lenham to Wye 22 July 2017
Walking the North Downs Way from Lenham to Wye in Kent. Another decent stretch; some churches, a couple of pubs – and very little exposure to motorways! - North Downs Way – Detling to Lenham 8 July 2017
Walking the North Downs Way from Detling to Lenham in Kent. Some nice views at last, a ruined castle, a good pub – and very little exposure to motorways! - North Downs Way – Cuxton to Detling 17 June 2017
Walking the North Downs Way from Cuxton to Detling in Kent. Crossing the Medway, and High Speed 1 as a change from motorways.