Ruritanian Railways - 2013

[whatlep]

On June 6th, the Royal Ruritanian Film Unit followed Mallet locomotive number 2 for a day. Supplied second hand to Ruritania in 2000 the locomotive was one of the forerunners of today's fleet and is still going strong. First, the loco was captured at the border with a train of exports. On the right is a mail train hauled by Mallet 99.201.

Later in the afternoon, number 2 was captured attacking Pootank Pass. The invisible ballast quarry forms a backdrop, its shunter just visible in the background.

Finally, its day's work done, the Mallet was pictured in Zenda yard with its sister engine No.1 (built at the same time as No.2, but supplied new to Ruritania in 1999). Just another busy day in Europe's heartland!

 

[Madman]

Totally enjoyable. I always look forward to your posts.

 

[playmofire]

Madman says it all. The pictures are always excellent and the commentary brings them to life by putting them in a real life context.

 

[jameshilton]

Peter I too love your posts and your mallets are wonderful. Everytime I see them I find myself yearning for one... one day

 

[whatlep]

Another busy working week drew to an end at the ballast works tonight. The duty shunter (Mighty Mouse) pushed five hoppers, full of the finest Ruritanian invisible ballast from the loader....

...to join the six already loaded and coupled to a waiting Mallet.

The resulting train is so long it needs both goods and passenger loops at the border station, so timetabling hopper loading is critical. Mallet 413 is something of a rare sighting on the hoppers. It's more often seen paired with the royal train loco as a pilot engine. Rumour has it that this loco may have a more regular role in future as an assisting engine for trains climbing Pootank Pass.

Leaving the hoppers behind, the shunter ran back to the quarry, its driver doubtless anxious to clock off and take a well earned pint with some pork scratchings in curry sauce at the local hostelry.

Nothing fancy required: it's simply a case of getting the loco into the shed, built earlier this year at the loading facility, and shutting the loco down as fast as possible.
Going....

...going....

gone!

After the usual checks, the full train of hoppers left for the Czech Republic. A fine sight for the Ruritanian Treasury!

 

[garrymartin]

Another enlightening look at Ruritanian railway practices, Thank you for sharing

 

[Dtsteam]

Comrade !
It has been bought to the attention of our union - I.B.E.D.S.A.T.A.R.T* - that the running dogs of capitalism have invested their ill gotten gains from cross border ballast deals in wholly unnecessary shed door automation. Leaving aside the shady financial dealings of the bloated aristocracy, we protest on behalf of the now redundant door shutter, his wife, 17 emaciated children, 11 poor elderly relatives, and 1 angry goat. If "Prince" Rudolph has not made adequate provision for this mans welfare the workers fist will be raised in a salute of solidarity. Be warned, Comrade, the members of IBEDSATART will not take this lying down !





*International Brotherhood of Engine Door Shutters And Trained Artisans in Rail Technology

 

[whatlep]

Comrade !
It has been bought to the attention of our union - I.B.E.D.S.A.T.A.R.T* - that the running dogs of capitalism have invested their ill gotten gains from cross border ballast deals in wholly unnecessary shed door automation. Leaving aside the shady financial dealings of the bloated aristocracy, we protest on behalf of the now redundant door shutter, his wife, 17 emaciated children, 11 poor elderly relatives, and 1 angry goat. If "Prince" Rudolph has not made adequate provision for this mans welfare the workers fist will be raised in a salute of solidarity. Be warned, Comrade, the members of IBEDSATART will not take this lying down !
*International Brotherhood of Engine Door Shutters And Trained Artisans in Rail Technology

Calm down dear: it's only a shed door!

Prince Rudolf instructs me to remind those of a foreign disposition that the shed is a new construction and hence no craftspersons were rendered jobless as a consequence. Au contraire, by his benevolent munificence, Ruritarian Railways now employ an extra staff member at the ballast loader to cater for the locomotive's necessaria. His family and their pets - which do, indeed, include a goat - are most regally installed in the attic above the quarry loader, though the goat's preferred environment is in the lush fields by the lineside. Rumours have it that this animal is in regular receipt of titbits supplied by passengers, in addition to its high quality diet of finest Ruritanian grassland.

I trust that this assuages the concerns expressed.
Your humble servant
Arturo Flunkey

 

[Dtsteam]

Well, thats all right then.....
Whilst we will never doff our cap to the aristocracy, we do appreciate the fact that provision has been made. We do, however, note that the attic is rather small for 30 people, and would concur that the goat is best left outside.

Salut !

Militant Worker

 

[Neil Robinson]

Prince Rudolf needs to put his foot down and take the railway across the River Danube ( the stream) and extend his railway empire !

I think that the history of that part of Europe suggests that there may be dire consequences involved in annexing adjacent territory!

 

[whatlep]

Prince Rudolf needs to put his foot down and take the railway across the River Danube ( the stream) and extend his railway empire !

I think that the history of that part of Europe suggests that there may be dire consequences involved in annexing adjacent territory!

Not to mention the land across the bridge flooding on an annual basis.....

 

[flyingsignalman]

Prince Rudolf needs to put his foot down and take the railway across the River Danube ( the stream) and extend his railway empire !

I think that the history of that part of Europe suggests that there may be dire consequences involved in annexing adjacent territory!

Not to mention the land across the bridge flooding on an annual basis.....

Maybe, but you've got to make room for the goat!

 

[Rhinochugger]

Comrade !
It has been bought to the attention of our union - I.B.E.D.S.A.T.A.R.T* - that the running dogs of capitalism have invested their ill gotten gains from cross border ballast deals in wholly unnecessary shed door automation. Leaving aside the shady financial dealings of the bloated aristocracy, we protest on behalf of the now redundant door shutter, his wife, 17 emaciated children, 11 poor elderly relatives, and 1 angry goat. If "Prince" Rudolph has not made adequate provision for this mans welfare the workers fist will be raised in a salute of solidarity. Be warned, Comrade, the members of IBEDSATART will not take this lying down !
*International Brotherhood of Engine Door Shutters And Trained Artisans in Rail Technology

...........this animal is in regular receipt of titbits ..........

Sounds reasonable to me

 

[whatlep]

Ruritania's royal train was in use today, carrying HSH Prince Rudolf and his family en route to Great Britain where our noble ruler will be attending the Wimbledon tennis tournament. As is well known, 2013 marks the centenary of Prince Rudolf XIIII's sensational victory in the Men's Singles final (Royal & Imperial section) over Ferdinand, Tsar of Bulgaria. Rumours that this precipitated the Second Balkan War are widely felt to be accurate, at least in Ruritania.

A wider shot from the protecting Cessna of the Ruritanian Air Force shows that even a train of invisible ballast must take a pause when Prince Rudolf passes. Ah, look at those verdant meadows. A good hay harvest is promised for this year!

 

[playmofire]

Ah, how good to see the green and pleasant land of Ruritania from the air and showing how HSH has produced a perfect blend of agronomy and industry in this land which is an example to all.

 

[garrymartin]

Picture 2 would make a lovely postcard but are those men holding hands again?

 

[whatlep]

Mallets all over the place at the border station today. Number 99.201 passes with a train of vans while number 1 awaits clearance from border officials' with its train from Prague. In the goods loop, Mallet 2 pauses between marshalling a rake of ballast hoppers.

 

[playmofire]

Hm, worrying photo at first glance!

 

[whatlep]

Citizens of Zenda awoke on Thursday morning to the usual peaceful scene at the main station:

Within hours, a great wave of destruction was unleashed on the place. First platform 3 disappeared.

Then platform 2 evaporated, leaving a nasty mess of spidery grot behind. What on earth was going on?

Worse was to come. Tracks were torn up at the mail depot. Had Prince Rudolf finally received one Reader's Digest special offer too many? Was the EU threatening to invade?

Slowly, a new layout emerged from the chaos. Shiny pointwork all over the place at the eastern end of Zenda station. Prince Rudolf likes pointwork!

Things were starting to become clearer by late afternoon. The siding which used to lead from platform 1 is now combined with access to the mail depot off platform 2. Could that crossover mean that platforms 1 & 2 will now in effect be a passing loop? All the indicators are that that's the plan.

Wait! There seems to be more going on! By evening, platform 2's tracks had been completely removed and the point to platform 3 repositioned at the far western end of Zenda station. The peasantry were most curious, but no official communique was forthcoming from Ruritanian Railways HQ. Speculation in the Zenda Evening Post is that Prince Rudolf is unleashing a cunning plan.

More news as it comes in tomorrow!

 

[playmofire]

Can't wait for more! In the interests of the breath-holding Ruritarian peasantry I hope we have answers soon!