Eurovision: Russia Banned From Competing At 2022 Song Contest
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on the BBC.
These are the first two paragraphs.
Russia will no longer be allowed to participate in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest, the European Broadcasting Union has said.
The EBU, which produces the event, said Russia’s inclusion could bring the competition into disrepute “in light of the unprecedented crisis in Ukraine”.
It’s going from Vlad to verse.
Winning the Eurovision Song Contest is not easy for Russia, as although they can rig the votes, doping doesn’t help singers and musicians to perform better.
Putin Loses A Decisive Poll!
The Times is asking if Russia should be banned from international sport on its web site.
This is a screen capture.
It appears that Putin can’t win them all!
Ukraine Conflict: Champions League Final Moved from Russia To Paris
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on the BBC.
UEFA has done the right thing!
How will Putin get his own back on UEFA?
He could stage the Anti-Nazi World Cup by inviting Belarus, Brazil, China, Cuba, Iran, Kazakstan, Myanmar, Syria, Turkmenistan and Venezuela.
Russian Grand Prix Cancelled Following Invasion Of Ukraine
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on the BBC.
Formula One has done the right thing!
How will Putin get his own back on Formula One?
He could ban Formula One for ever from Russia, but then somewhere else like Ukraine, Poland or one of the Baltic States would happily stage a Grand Prix.
Where Are The Warthogs?
It must have been over twenty years ago, when I ended up in the Clopton Crown public house, spending an evening’s drinking with two USAF pilots, who lived locally.
They flew A10 Thunderbolt IIs out of RAF Bentwaters.
These aircraft are effectively a flying-gun, which are affectionately known as Warthogs, were designed with one purpose in mind and that was to stop Russian tanks marching through Europe.
When I told the pilots, that I had several hundred hours flying light aircraft. they told me, how easy the Warthogs were to fly.
Perhaps the Americans should have brought a few out of store and given them to the Ukrainians with a training package?
Tony Radakin And Ben Wallace In Russia
The Times today has published a picture with this caption.
Ben Wallace, the defence secretary, his counterpart, Sergei Shoigu, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, chief of the defence staff, and Valery Gerasimov, chief of general staff
Ever since, Tony Radakin was made Chief of the Defence Staff, I’ve been curious about his name.
So tonight, I typed “radakin surname” into Google and got this answer.
Radakin (Russian: Радакин) is carried by more people in Russia than any other country or territory. It can also be rendered as a variant
Interesting! But surely, something that will enable the three military men and the former Scots guardsman to get on a bit better!
Getting Our Own Back With Putin And The Russians
Perhaps we ought to get our own back on the Russians.
I’m sure some of our best scientists can create a high-strength laxative, that can be strategically smeared on handrails and door-knobs in Russia.
Russian Convoys
This article on Railway Gazette is entitled Five-Train Platoons To Operate With Virtual Coupling.
This is the first paragraph.
Russian Railways is planning to use platooning technology to operate flights of up to five freight trains next year using radio data exchange between locomotives to create a virtual coupling. The aims to reduce headways from 12 to 6 to 8 min, increasing capacity on congested sections of the Trans-Siberian main line.
As a Control Engineer, I must believe that if the Russians get the programming right, then it should work.
Similar techniques will probably be used with digital signalling in the UK and Europe, where each train is controlled by the signalling. But each train will probably have a driver.
The problem in Russia could also be the large number of ungated level crossings, which according to some I’ve met are prone to a lot of accidents, as drivers regularly chance it after too much vodka.
Talgo and Repsol To Develop Fuel Cell Trains Powered By Renewable Hydrogen
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on Railway Gazette.
This article follows the pattern, of if you’re going to build hydrogen-powered trains, you need a quality partner for your hydrogen.
I still puzzle, what Talgo will do with their factory in Scotland, if they miss out on the orders for High Speed Two.
- Russia is an obvious market for their Spanish gauge high speed trains and delivery from Rosyth by ship is probably easier, than from Spain.
- The UK probably needs a quality modern hydrogen train for remote routes, as does the island of Ireland.
- As I indicated in LNER Seeks 10 More Bi-Modes, there could be a niche for a small fleet of 140 mph hydrogen bi-modes to run between London and the North of Scotland.
Note.
The UK probably has enough capacity for regional and commuter electric and battery trains, with Alstom, CAF and Hitachi all with modern trains in production.
Ireland and Russia, with their similar gauge to Spain could be worthwhile markets.
However, I do believe that the 140 mph hydrogen bi-modes would slot into substantial markets in continents and countries like Africa, Australia, Canada, India, Norway, South America, Sweden and the United States, where there are enormous mileages of standard gauge railways without electrification.
‘Super Train’ In Finland Sets New Record: The Equivalent Of 92 Trucks
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on RailFreight.com.
This is the introductory paragraph.
The Finnish railway company VR Transpoint has introduced another heavy weight to the railways. Dubbed the Super Train, it carries a weight of 7,000 tonne, and 80 wagons. Moreover, it is about one kilometre long. According to the company, this sets a new record on Finnish railways.
These are a few points about the service.
- The service runs between Vainikkala and Hamina.
- The route appears to be electrified.
- The super train is hauled by two Vectron locomotives.
- Longer trains are more efficient.
- Long trains regularly run in Russia.
This map shows the border crossing at Vainikkala.
Note.
- The border running South-West and North-East across the map.
- The giant Finnish marshalling yard in the North-West.
- The large Russian marshalling yard in the South-East.
This Google Map shows the Finnish Marshalling yard at Vainikkala.
I estimate that the yard is over a kilometre in length.
Passenger Trains Between Helsinki And St. Petersburg
There is also a passenger service between Helsinki and St. Petersburg, that uses this route called Allegro, that usually runs thrice daily.
The trains are Alstom Pendolinos, specially designed for the route and are detailed in this section called Vehicles in the Allegro Wikipedia entry.
The journey time is just three and a half hours.
If you want to buy tickets, this page on The Man In Seat 61 gives all the details.
Conclusion
It looks like the Finns and the Russians have co-operated well to create a quality passenger and freight link between their two countries.
The Anonymous Widower 