Ruritanian Railways - 2011

oberinntalbahn said:
whatlep said:
The postal service today announced the conversion of a former passenger vehicle to postal duties. All seats have been stripped out, window blinds added and internal bars fitted for added security. The postal service's emblem is proudly carried on one of the blinds with the service's name in both official languages on alternate blinds. At present, the existing folding doors have been retained, but it is acknowledged that the roller shutter type would be better. It is understood that various manufacturers have been asked to quote for the conversion.
Around here it would take more than a set of lace curtains to keep out the villains - Ruritania either has law abiding citizens or the courts apply draconian sentances for any misdemeanours :thinking:
Do they still have the Birch in Ruritania?

Or maybe the Stocks....
 
I can do you a deal on birch, there must be some left over here!

(it wasn't actually birch, but never mind....)
 
Ruritania has no need of the barbarities suggested by the woad-painted savages from Europe's offshore islands. We treat our prisoners with courtesy, providing unlimited supplies of our national dish (black pudding with pork scratching side dish and curry sauce) and non-alcoholic ginger beer. They are naturally required to wear a uniform which will engender self-respect and guide them to a proper lifestyle. All of Zenda jail's current occupants were photographed last month for a feature in the Ruritanian Daily Bugle:
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Two very nice customs indeed.

My wife and I went to a production based on the The Prisoner of Zenda by North Country Theatre (a small touring theatre well worth watching. You may have seen the ads for the West End production of an adaptation of The 39 Steps, which was originally created by North Country Theatre and transferred to the West End. In fact, the play has been performed as far afield as China, Korea, the USA and South America.) Throughout the play there were many references to "return to Zenda" which got much laughter from the audience which must have been of a certain age as, leaving we heard a teenager say to his father, "But why all the laughter every time someone said, "Return to Zenda"?

It makes you feel old!
 
Woad? [style="color: #3366ff;"]WOAD? I'll have you know we only use the finest processed kipper juice, milked with care from the finest Irish Sea wild kippers before they are returned to their feeding grounds. Woad is a girly southern English thing I'm sure.

However, given I (really!) work with young offenders, I am interested in leasing the design for the respect engendering uniform, should the benevolent Crown Prince be minded to allow such sharing of a respected instrument of correction.
 
Well I've been looking back at Real Gooey's recent tour of Ruritania and that looks suspiciously like Dynamo Zenda's back four. It would appear that His Imperial Majesty is a little less benevolent when it comes to an off side trap not working out?

Oh, and yes - that IS how they formed a defensive wall. :bigsmile:
 
Yes Mel, but plenty of padding where it counts.
 
yb281 said:
Well I've been looking back at Real Gooey's recent tour of Ruritania and that looks suspiciously like Dynamo Zenda's back four. It would appear that His Imperial Majesty is a little less benevolent when it comes to an off side trap not working out?

Oh, and yes - that IS how they formed a defensive wall. :bigsmile:

Defensive wall. Hah! We laugh at defensive walls. This is a manly linkage of arms designed to engender feelings of bonhomie and otherwise feeling for the fatherhood of our proud nation. That is what being a true Ruritanian is all about.
:@ :angry:
 
Ruritanian Railways is pleased to announce the arrival of a second Railbus motor coach as a response to the steady increase in demand for local services. This German-made vehicle has been marooned in one of the continent's offshore islands for several years, but is now safely back in central Europe. Converted to Ruritania's DCC signalling and control system, the new motor coach was unveiled at Zenda this afternoon, accompanied by its predecessor unit:
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After being inspected by an admiring crowd, the units were coupled into a single train for a run through atmospheric Pootank Pass to the border. Despite rail conditions being exceptionally poor, the extended railbus' progress was completely successful. It is envisaged that the extra unit will permit more local services, including possibly some cross-border portion working into Slovakia as an adjunct to the existing international services toward Prague and Vienna. More progress on Ruritanian Railways!
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yb281 said:
The Cockshutt Choral Society went for a rail tour in one of those a while ago. They've never been seen again. Suppose they've just become another figure in a long line of Shropshire's political refugees?

Yes, they're teaming up with the Madeley Chord mob. :rolf:
 
The three car set looks very impressive; good to see that capital investment is still being made for the benefit of citizens in some countries ;)
 
It was your review Peter, that ended up swinging it for me to get one of these over the LGB pigsnout. Lovely runners, and great detail. Nice to see a three-set too :)
 
Some people have written to enquire what has happened to the famous Wednesdays Only parcels train (with passenger accommodation). Well, it's the best possible news. The WO(PA) is saved! Due to the recent postal contract award, the train will continue to run as before. Indeed it is busier than ever. Our photographer went down to the border this afternoon to bring you these pictures:

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The train is now rostered as a fill-in turn for the 2095 diesel off the midday arrival from Prague (The Transcarpathian). The load is just within a single 2095's limits for normal adhesion conditions. Winter conditions may need something meatier!

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The former HSB van has proved a roaring success with the post office's loaders. So much so that it has been joined by another.

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After a few months intensive service, the first van is looking distinctly weathered (or yb281-ed as it is known hereabouts) and forms an interesting contrast with the new vehicle, still displaying Harzerschmalspurbahn markings.
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Passenger accommodation is nominally provided by this "Fakultativwagen", carefully placed next to the guards van so he can check for any fares. Since the WO(PA)'s future was assured, passenger loadings have returned to their traditional level of zero, though last week local staff were surprised to meet two British gentlemen (Messrs Charters and Caldicott according to their passports) who were exceedingly anxious to get back to Manchester for a sporting event.

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Our camera guru's final shot sees the train ready to depart for Zenda, tail lights correctly lit in anticipation of a wintry dusk.
 
Those wagons look a little like Southern Region Utility vans.

Nice little string there Peter
 
Nice ones. Like the green train and the railcars - you could almost convert me to going Ruritanian (but not quite)
 
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