Patrick Crozier

I spotted this in a BBC piece on the Brunels’ Thames Tunnel:

“Victorian brickwork - particularly the early brickwork - was of a tremendous standard,”

And while inspecting a viaduct:

What they found was that of five levels of brickwork only the first, which had been exposed to the elements, had deteriorated to any extent.

So, what we have here is long-term thinking.  By private enterprise.

Patrick Crozier

92%

I notice that the latest punctuality figures are out.  Despite the Telegraph’s best attempts to cast them in a bad light they actually appear to be quite good.

Punctuality in Britain is a funny thing.  Before Hatfield, if memory serves, they hovered around 91% which was about the same as they were on privatisation.  During the 1980s I can remember a British Rail poster proudly claiming 95% punctuality.  I didn’t believe them.  It certainly didn’t feel like it.

The other day I stumbled across this cutting from the Times from 1933 in which the London, Midland and Scottish reported and annual average of 92%.

Oh, and their definition of on time was to within five minutes.  Today it’s to within 10 minutes for long-distance services.

Rob Fisher

I wonder why egg-shaped wheels never caught on; or overhead luggage cribs for that matter.  More such fun with old technology magazines can be found at modernmechanix.com (tag line: “Yesterday’s tomorrow, today").  Hat tip:  Rob Hinkley.

Patrick Crozier

Newspaper advertisement from 1754.  Found here via Marginal Revolution. 

And we complain about Virgin.