Factoids - useless but interesting snippets

[Zombie]

Heritage steam railways

Factoids

#1 There are around 600 miles of heritage steam railways in the UK 

#2 Steam locomotive powered trains also run on normal main lines usually up to 75 mph (for some up to 90 mph or about 150 kph)

#3 All the steam locos run on coal

#4 The Severn Valley Heritage Railway (see video) is one of the oldest (formed 1965). Construction started 1858 and 4 years later in 1862 the line opened when 40 miles had been built (160+ years later, despite computers and modern construction equipment we could not build anywhere near 10 miles a year!)

#5 The Pacific Class ‘Sir Nigel Gresley’ (shown steaming in to the platform near the end of the video) was in main line service from 1937-1966 and was run up to 112 mph - it’s sibling “Mallard” built a year later set the world steam speed record on 3 July 1938 when it reached 126 mph or 203 kph

https://youtu.be/eurmhafwbf8?si=qxaiWDcJGR55DDhQ
 

Edited August 26 by Zombie

[Ron]

3 hours ago, Zombie said:

(160+ years later, despite computers and modern construction equipment we could not build anywhere near 10 miles a year!)

Interesting. The MBTA will replace eighteen miles of track during a shutdown in September here in Massachusetts. Of course, building out eighteen miles of new track would likely take decades to accomplish if at all. There are so many ways to disrupt any forward movement on rail: NIMBYism, the cost to procure land (possibly by eminent domain), and environmental concerns just to name a few.

[Bill W]

On 8/26/2024 at 2:05 PM, Zombie said:

Heritage steam railways

Factoids

#1 There are around 600 miles of heritage steam railways in the UK 

#2 Steam locomotive powered trains also run on normal main lines usually up to 75 mph (for some up to 90 mph or about 150 kph)

#3 All the steam locos run on coal

#4 The Severn Valley Heritage Railway (see video) is one of the oldest (formed 1965). Construction started 1858 and 4 years later in 1862 the line opened when 40 miles had been built (160+ years later, despite computers and modern construction equipment we could not build anywhere near 10 miles a year!)

#5 The Pacific Class ‘Sir Nigel Gresley’ (shown steaming in to the platform near the end of the video) was in main line service from 1937-1966 and was run up to 112 mph - it’s sibling “Mallard” built a year later set the world steam speed record on 3 July 1938 when it reached 126 mph or 203 kph

https://youtu.be/eurmhafwbf8?si=qxaiWDcJGR55DDhQ
 

It doesn't surprise me that the UK would have an assortment of different types of trains that have run the rails there over the past couple of centuries.  Most, however, are probably museum exhibits now, so I was surprised to learn that there are still steam locomotives in operation and run on a regular basis. 

Thank you for pointing this out.  I found it very interesting.  

[ReaderPaul]

On 8/26/2024 at 4:12 PM, Ron said:

Interesting. The MBTA will replace eighteen miles of track during a shutdown in September here in Massachusetts. Of course, building out eighteen miles of new track would likely take decades to accomplish if at all. There are so many ways to disrupt any forward movement on rail: NIMBYism, the cost to procure land (possibly by eminent domain), and environmental concerns just to name a few.

For those who might not know, NIMBY is an acronym meaning "Not In My Back Yard!"

[dannyportwersburghuk]

There so many steam trains in kent uk. I do trainspotting at chatham or rochester and often see steam trains they def cool. Then got the little train ones like near sea that in WW2 helped guard coast. Saw them on school trip. Even near us there little steam trains. They really cool 2.

[Ron]

Now here's an interesting factoid ... and it turns out it was something we knew all along.

Census Backs GLBT Stereotypes a free to read blurb-article in The Boston Globe.

[Bill W]

13 hours ago, Ron said:

Now here's an interesting factoid ... and it turns out it was something we knew all along.

Census Backs GLBT Stereotypes a free to read blurb-article in The Boston Globe.

Looks like gay male couples prefer to go where the nightlife if the best for partying, while lesbians prefer to go where there are artistic endeavors, such as museums, theaters for live performances, and classical concerts, which are often found on or near college campuses.  No surprise here.  

[Ron]

13 hours ago, Bill W said:

Looks like gay male couples prefer to go where the nightlife if the best for partying, while lesbians prefer to go where there are artistic endeavors, such as museums, theaters for live performances, and classical concerts, which are often found on or near college campuses.

All the arts venues you mention are far more available and varied in large metropolitan cities (both coastal and more midwestern areas), than they are elsewhere in the hinterlands. The Berkshires are an outlyer for the arts scene in general, I think.

I've listened to various interviews with artists that lament the AIDS epidemic not only for the loss of so many lives, many friends, but also because the gay men where a discerning and educated audience when it came to the various arts venues. Those interviewed feel that audiences of today are not as involved or evolved as those gay men were, that today it's more about money and access for the audience than anything else.

So, I don't think gay men are heading to metropolitan areas just for the sex and party nightlife, a great many of us has always been attracted to the arts. I mean, what gay man doesn't appreciate a good musical? 

[Zombie]

Earthquake (1974)

the 1970s was the decade of the disaster movie, and 50 years ago audiences were swarming into movie theatres to experience the sights+sounds of a massive earthquake flattening the very city that made this movie - Los Angeles

To augment audience horror, Sensurround was installed in auditoriums by specialist sound engineers - enormous speakers with18” drivers connected to powerful amplifiers and low frequency noise generators that added simulated rumble and vibrations to the movie at 15 Hz (below human hearing range) played back at a staggering sound level reaching 120 dB so intense that the onscreen earthquake could not only be heard but also felt 

Before installation, cinemas had to be checked out to make sure the building could withstand the powerful rumbling by a tech team of field engineers with a checklist covering every structural angle, and making sure enough electricity was available to power the amplifiers

Despite this the Chinese Theatre in Hollywood (where the film “World Premiered” 15 November 1974) suffered damage from the vibrations and a huge “fish net” was installed to protect the audience from fallen debris during Sensurround performances  

That seems a shame - falling debris crashing from the ceiling would surely have enhanced the experience… 

https://www.in70mm.com/presents/1974_sensurround/in_sensurround/english/index.htm

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earthquake_(1974_film)

Edited August 30 by Zombie

[Bill W]

6 hours ago, Ron said:

All the arts venues you mention are far more available and varied in large metropolitan cities (both coastal and more midwestern areas), than they are elsewhere in the hinterlands. The Berkshires are an outlyer for the arts scene in general, I think.

I've listened to various interviews with artists that lament the AIDS epidemic not only for the loss of so many lives, many friends, but also because the gay men where a discerning and educated audience when it came to the various arts venues. Those interviewed feel that audiences of today are not as involved or evolved as those gay men were, that today it's more about money and access for the audience than anything else.

So, I don't think gay men are heading to metropolitan areas just for the sex and party nightlife, a great many of us has always been attracted to the arts. I mean, what gay man doesn't appreciate a good musical? 

I didn't mean to offend anyone.  My comment was merely made with tongue-in-cheek - a jest or tease.  

[Page Scrawler]

I would love to visit Redwood National Park. It would certainly be a wonderful sight to behold, as long as I don't contribute to the problems the park is facing. Maybe a trip for next year, with my husband and son. 

 

 

[Ron]

49 minutes ago, Bill W said:

I didn't mean to offend anyone.  My comment was merely made with tongue-in-cheek - a jest or tease.

Oh, my original post was more than tongue-in-cheek enough for everyone, considering that the census is attempting to prove conjecture.

But we should know more than most of our long history of supporting the arts, be it through audience participation, monetary support, and including our performance.

We are multitude!

[Ron]

26 minutes ago, Page Scrawler said:

I would love to visit Redwood National Park.

I've had the pleasure of visiting Muir Woods, but it was so many years ago. But, still, I have an impression in my mind of the wonder of having been there if nothing of the specifics of the visit. That may seem a little sad, but I have a good imagination. 

[Page Scrawler]

 

[Zombie]

…not to be confused with laverbread  

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laverbread

[Page Scrawler]

At Disneyworld, park employees with radio's have a code system which is used when responding to emergencies. "Code Pooh" means that a large-sized guest has become stuck on a ride.

[Bill W]

2 minutes ago, Page Scrawler said:

At Disneyworld, park employees with radio's have a code system which is used when responding to emergencies. "Code Pooh" means that a large-sized guest has become stuck on a ride.

Damn, I thought "Code Pooh" meant a guest had a bowel movement on a ride.   

[Page Scrawler]

5 hours ago, Bill W said:

Damn, I thought "Code Pooh" meant a guest had a bowel movement on a ride.   

Nope. Depending on who you ask, that's "Code H" or "AFR". Which is short for Human Waste and Accidental Fecal Release, respectively.

[Zombie]

Did wicked ‘Uncle’ Andrew get away with it..?

while reading IMDB on the latest remake of Death On The Nile (not good ) I noticed ‘Uncle’ Andrew had been deleted  

then I couldn’t remember if he got banged to rights for his evil scheme 🧐 

so I asked ChatGPT…

In Agatha Christie’s Death on the Nile, does wicked ‘Uncle’ Andrew get away with his fraud on Lynette Ridgeway’s trust fund?

ChatGPT said:

ChatGPT

In Death on the Nile, "Uncle" Andrew Pennington, who is Lynette Ridgeway’s American trustee, certainly attempts fraud, but he ultimately does not get away with it. Lynette's sudden marriage to Simon Doyle disrupts Pennington’s plans, as she insists on handling her own finances. His position as trustee had allowed him to siphon off significant amounts from her wealth, an act he hoped would go unnoticed.

When Lynette arrives in Egypt, Pennington tries to cover his tracks, even going so far as to stage a “near accident” that he hopes will kill her and stop her from scrutinizing his accounts. His schemes, however, come under the watchful eye of Hercule Poirot, who uncovers Pennington’s actions during his investigation of Lynette’s murder.

Although Pennington is implicated in fraud, he is not ultimately punished by law within the scope of the novel, as the primary focus shifts to solving Lynette’s murder. However, his fraudulent actions are exposed, leaving him disgraced and with a tarnished reputation. So, while he avoids legal prosecution in the novel, his reputation and influence are severely damaged.

You said:

So, even with Agatha Christie, crime sometimes pays?

ChatGPT said:

ChatGPT

In Agatha Christie’s world, crime only appears to pay, but there's always a catch. Although characters like Andrew Pennington evade formal punishment, they rarely come out unscathed. Christie’s novels often have these morally satisfying endings, where even if the law doesn’t touch a criminal, poetic justice does.

For Pennington, the exposure of his fraudulent actions destroys his credibility and his standing—a form of social and moral justice that, in Christie’s context, is nearly as damaging as jail time. In many ways, Christie shows that escaping legal consequences doesn’t equate to escaping the consequences of guilt, exposure, or ruin in society.

So, while “crime” might seem to pay in some cases, Christie’s narrative justice ensures it only happens in a hollow, costly way.

You said:

That was fun!

ChatGPT said:

ChatGPT

I'm glad you enjoyed it! Agatha Christie's intricate plots and subtle twists are always a delight to dive into, especially when exploring the way she handles justice and moral consequences. There’s so much satisfaction in the clever way she ensures that everyone ultimately gets their due—one way or another!

[Zombie]

the most important item in any British home 

…because the whole tea-making process must be completed within the 3 minute TV ad breaks

So many people (millions) turn on their kettles at the exact same time that the UK has had to build special power stations underneath mountains that go from zero to max output in seconds in order to cope with the load

and highly-qualified engineers carefully scrutinise the TV guides so they can flip the switches seconds before the ad break starts and prevent the entire electricity distribution system from exploding

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TV_pickup#:~:text=TV pickups occur during breaks,demand on the electrical grid.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dinorwig_Power_Station