#railway track jam

[mariacallous]

With the Olympic torch extinguished in Paris, all eyes are turning to Los Angeles for the 2028 Olympics.

The host city has promised that the next Summer Games will be “car-free.”

For people who know Los Angeles, this seems overly optimistic. The car remains king in LA, despite growing public transit options.

When LA hosted the Games in 1932, it had an extensive public transportation system, with buses and an extensive network of electric streetcars. Today, the trolleys are long gone; riders say city buses don’t come on schedule, and bus stops are dirty. What happened?

This question fascinates me because I am a business professor who studies why society abandons and then sometimes returns to certain technologies, such as vinyl records, landline phones, and metal coins. The demise of electric streetcars in Los Angeles and attempts to bring them back today vividly demonstrate the costs and challenges of such revivals.

Riding the Red and Yellow Cars

Transportation is a critical priority in any city, but especially so in Los Angeles, which has been a sprawling metropolis from the start.

In the early 1900s, railroad magnate Henry Huntington, who owned vast tracts of land around LA, started subdividing his holdings into small plots and building homes. In order to attract buyers, he also built a trolley system that whisked residents from outlying areas to jobs and shopping downtown.

By the 1930s, Los Angeles had a vibrant public transportation network, with over 1,000 miles of electric streetcar routes, operated by two companies: Pacific Electric Railway, with its “Red Cars,” and Los Angeles Railway, with its “Yellow Cars.”

The system wasn’t perfect by any means. Many people felt that streetcars were inconvenient and also unhealthy when they were jammed with riders. Moreover, streetcars were slow because they had to share the road with automobiles. As auto usage climbed and roads became congested, travel times increased.

Nonetheless, many Angelenos rode the streetcars—especially during World War II, when gasoline was rationed and automobile plants shifted to producing military vehicles.

Demise of Public Transit

The end of the war marked the end of the line for streetcars. The war effort had transformed oil, tire, and car companies into behemoths, and these industries needed new buyers for goods from the massive factories they had built for military production. Civilians and returning soldiers were tired of rationing and war privations, and they wanted to spend money on goods such as cars.

After years of heavy usage during the war, Los Angeles’ streetcar system needed an expensive capital upgrade. But in the mid-1940s, most of the system was sold to a company called National City Lines, which was partly owned by the carmaker General Motors, the oil companies Standard Oil of California and Phillips Petroleum, and the Firestone tire company.

These powerful forces had no incentive to maintain or improve the old electric streetcar system. National City ripped up tracks and replaced the streetcars with buses that were built by General Motors, used Firestone tires, and ran on gasoline.

There is a long-running academic debate over whether self-serving corporate interests purposely killed LA’s streetcar system. Some researchers argue that the system would have died on its own, like many other streetcar networks around the world.

The controversy even spilled over into pop culture in the 1988 movie Who Framed Roger Rabbit, which came down firmly on the conspiracy side.

What’s undisputed is that, starting in the mid-1940s, powerful social forces transformed Los Angeles so that commuters had only two choices: drive or take a public bus. As a result, LA became so choked with traffic that it often took hours to cross the city.

In 1990, the Los Angeles Times reported that people were putting refrigerators, desks, and televisions in their cars to cope with getting stuck in horrendous traffic. A swath of movies, from Falling Down to Clueless to La La Land, have featured the next-level challenge of driving in LA.

Traffic was also a concern when LA hosted the 1984 Summer Games, but the Games went off smoothly. Organizers convinced over 1 million people to ride buses, and they got many trucks to drive during off-peak hours. The 2028 games, however, will have roughly 50 percent more athletes competing, which means thousands more coaches, family, friends, and spectators. So simply dusting off plans from 40 years ago won’t work.

Olympic Transportation Plans

Today, Los Angeles is slowly rebuilding a more robust public transportation system. In addition to buses, it now has four light-rail lines—the new name for electric streetcars—and two subways. Many follow the same routes that electric trolleys once traveled. Rebuilding this network is costing the public billions, since the old system was completely dismantled.

Three key improvements are planned for the Olympics. First, LA’s airport terminals will be connected to the rail system. Second, the Los Angeles organizing committee is planning heavily on using buses to move people. It will do this by reassigning some lanes away from cars and making them available for 3,000 more buses, which will be borrowed from other locales.

Finally, there are plans to permanently increase bicycle lanes around the city. However, one major initiative, a bike path along the Los Angeles River, is still under an environmental review that may not be completed by 2028.

Car-Free for 17 Days

I expect that organizers will pull off a car-free Olympics, simply by making driving and parking conditions so awful during the Games that people are forced to take public transportation to sports venues around the city. After the Games end, however, most of LA is likely to quickly revert to its car-centric ways.

As Casey Wasserman, chair of the LA 2028 organizing committee, recently put it: “The unique thing about Olympic Games is for 17 days you can fix a lot of problems when you can set the rules—for traffic, for fans, for commerce—than you do on a normal day in Los Angeles.”

[lost-boy-into-the-upper-heavenly]

Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum’s steam locomotive Southern Railway 630 exits Missionary Ridge Tunnel as it approaches East Chattanooga, Tennessee with a trainload of passengers, on April 28th, 2024.

According to Wikipedia: Southern Railway 630 is a 2-8-0 "Consolidation" type steam locomotive built in February 1904 by the American Locomotive Company (ALCO) of Richmond, Virginia for the Southern Railway as a member of the Ks-1 class. It is currently owned and operated by the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum in Chattanooga, Tennessee where it resides today for use on excursion trains.

According to the Tennessee River Valley Tourism site: Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum's passenger trains run on an historic route which includes Missionary Ridge Tunnel, completed in 1858 and on the National Register of Historic Places. The tunnel is the primary reason TVRM runs on the three-mile section of the former Southern Railway. As railroad equipment grew too large to pass through, the single-track tunnel became a traffic jam for an other wise double-track railroad. Southern Railway abandoned the three-mile portion of the line and built a new section around the end of Missionary Ridge, avoiding the tunnel altogether. TVRM restored rails through the tunnel in 1971 and continues to use the pre-Civil War Tunnel daily.

#trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography #PassengerTrain #TennesseeValleyRailroadMuseum #TennesseeTrains #steamtrain #tvrm

[beardedmrbean]

At least 12 train passengers were killed in western India Wednesday after being struck by another train on an adjacent track after they jumped from their coaches in panic to escape a rumored fire incident, the Press Trust of India reported.

At least six other people were injured, the news agency cited police officer Dattatraya Karale as saying.

The accident occurred in Maharashtra State, near the Pardhade railroad station, 255 miles northeast of Mumbai, India’s financial capital.

PTI said the victims jumped off the Pushpak Express train, which had stopped after some passengers pulled an emergency chain. Those who disembarked were hit by another express train on the adjacent railroad track, PTI quoted railway spokesman Swapnil Nila as saying.

"Our preliminary information is that there were sparks inside one of the coaches of the Pushpak Express due to either a ‘hot axle’ or ‘brake-binding’ (jamming), and some passengers panicked. They pulled the chain, and some of them jumped down on the tracks. At the same time, Karnataka Express was passing on the adjoining track," a senior railway official told PTI.

Despite government efforts to improve rail safety, hundreds of accidents occur every year on India’s railways, which comprise the largest train network under one management in the world.

In 2023, two passenger trains collided after derailing in eastern India, killing more than 280 people and injuring hundreds in one of the country’s deadliest rail crashes in decades.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is focusing on the modernization of the British colonial-era railroad network in India, which has become the world’s most populous country with 1.42 billion.

[daisywithnomakeup]

P11 "Reg" and No.43 "Clive"

All photos taken by me :3 12" gauge VR P Class in the V/Line Cheeseburger livery. He's a recent build, only being completed back in 2023 iirc. I've had the privilege to drive him and he's a fairly easy-going loco.

12" gauge freelance No.43 "Clive. Built in 1967 for the Australian Reptile Park, North Gosford. From 1975-1997, it was operating at the Smoky Mountain and Grizzly Flats Railroad, Warnervale. After sitting in storage, it was bought by the Melbourne Steam Traction Engine Club and fitted back to service, eventually getting a new livery. Clive's a bit of a pest to drive since there's no notches to set the throttle, unlike most other steam locos. His throttle's fairly sensitive as well, but it doesn't take long to tame the little beast. A few months either before or after the worn down Clive photos were taken, a small derailment happened on the other side of the railway. The back bogies of the first carriage came off the tracks, which I was doing guard training in the carriage behind. Found out later that the bogies had pushed inwards and jammed.

Yours truly driving. The angle makes me look so small 🫠

[ravenpawraas]

I sincerely hate Moscow traffic jams and public transport from the suburbs. We have repairs on the railway tracks today, but I didn't know about it. I'm late for the match and will miss the entire 1st period.

I wanna cry

[engineer-gunzelpunk]

Big Harry Is Ailing by Jack Evans

The Argus, Saturday July 21, 1951

I took the text because the article shape is so awkward.

*cues in Sad Henry music*

BIG HARRY IS AILING By JACK EVANS

HEAVY HARRY, the bad boy who later become the pride of the Victorian railways, is ill. Seriously ill. All 260 tons of him. Slumped in hospital - the repair sheds at Newport workshops, Victoria's only H220 engine could hardly raise steam above a whisper yesterday.

Heavy Harry, built at Newport - the heaviest locomotive in the Southern Hemisphere, is the only one of its type in Australia. His massive size and varied adventures made him pride of the rail engine fleet during World War II.

"Overwork, that's what caused it," he gasped yesterday. "I've got something wrong with my boiler." He said sadly: "You know, you're the first visitor I've had since I came to hospital. No one cares."

Work Of Two

"Why, Mr. Hyland, Transport Minister, was proud to drive me when I was launched in '41. Kiddies flocked to see me when I went on exhibition. "But as soon as you get sick you're forgotten. "In 10 years I've travelled more than half a million miles for the Railways. And I've pulled millions of tons of freight between Albury and Melbourne, doing the work of two engines."

He added, indignantly: "These new R Class engines are getting all the limelight now. Running around painted red and black, with all the glamor of Essendon footballers "

"And letting girls ride on their footplates. I was brought up better than that, and I've never worn anything but decent black all my life!

"Going to haul passenger trams from Bendigo, are they? Bah! When the Railways got into a jam with the Spirit, who did none Help they yell for? Heavy Harry! "They tell me those R Class engines stole the show in the Engineering section at the Festival of Britain. They sound more like mannequins instead of machines. "And boasting about their mechanical stokers! Let me tell you, I had the first mechanical stoker in the whole of Victoria. And the best! "I heard my boss, Commissioner Wishart, say that 70 of them -were coming from England. And half-a-dozen streamlined diesels from U.S.A.

"What about accommodation problems? He wants to remember there is a shortage of engine round-houses here." Harry brightened up towards the end of the interview.

"I'll be back on the track soon," he prophesied. "All 92ft. 6in. of me, and fighting fit. "Those glamor jobs had better hunt a quiet siding. If I meet them on a foggy night I'll show them that Old Harry hasn't lost his punch."

A couple of notes:

Jack Evans seems to be using the character of Heavy Harry to critique the VR, which is entirely valid since the railways were about to get absolutely slaughtered by our own native version of Beeching and didn't recover for another 60 years.

The North British Works-built Hudson R-class "glamor jobs" they talk about weren't bad engines, just wholly unsuited to the jobs VR assigned to them, which were goods trains rather than express passenger trains like they were built for.

(And they're Scottish, Harry! They were built at Glasgow! You know this!)

They did bear a scarlet and black color scheme... possibly to connote in a new era their passenger engine status (red, used on express passenger locos in the pre-Clapp era on A2s and other passenger locomotives), wedded to standard VR black.

(Hudson R 707 "City Of Melbourne")

The Lancastrian built J-Classes, the last steam engines built for VR, also bore this scarlet and black scheme.

Essendon Football Club were the glamor team of the Victorian Football League (Australian Rules football) at the time, having appeared in almost every single Grand Final since 1941, which is kinda funny that he gives the Rs a serve for their color scheme... as I have Harry as an Essendon supporter in my OC headcanon, lol. (strong IRL historical associations between Essendon and Heavy Harry).

(Outside of Essendon Railway Station, bearing a photo of ‘Harry on the Express to Albury at Essendon, 1949’… old timers living here would recall Harry shaking the earth as he passed).

Him threatening to bash the "glamor jobs" though... is dead on like my OC Harry! Cranky, prone to melancholia, painfully aware of how alone he is. That is Heavy Harry.

Also:

"Overwork, that's what caused it," he gasped yesterday. "I've got something wrong with my boiler." He said sadly: "You know, you're the first visitor I've had since I came to hospital. No one cares."

"I SUFFER DREADFULLY AND NO ONE CARES"

Both rebellious, troublesome engines with issues.

Canonically both melancholy and lonely engines with wide angry streaks.

Both are fairly unique engines. Harry is the sole Pocono with a third cylinder that exists, sole member of his class. Henry was a failed hybrid turned Black Five, the sheer fact of this makes him fairly unique.

Both seem fond of flowers (see the illustration in my earlier Heavy Harry post).

Both he and Henry were originally meant to be express passenger locomotives but turned to the purpose of night/early-morning fast goods.

Both are fond of their "special coal" (Harry worked best on the Oz version of Welsh coal, Maitland coal).

"Harry" is a variant of the name Henry.

This particular article was put out less than two weeks after the publication of the book "Henry the Green Engine", on the 10th of July 1951.

Neither seem interested in ladies, canonically.

The little drawing they put in it is basically Henry…

Just sayin'! If Twin Flames existed... It’d be these two. Har’ is basically an Oz version of Henry…

So fucking weird when you find such off-kilter content about something you are interested in. Also, H220 and its the 22nd of the month so...

[ndostairlyrium]

🌌 MILKY WAY, 🍰 CAKE SLICE, 🚆 TRAIN for all of them? c:

eeep ** thanks dear!!

🌌 MILKY WAY - what was the inspiration behind your oc? what was the first thing you decided about them?

Elanor

So, there's a running joke I have with a few friends that the first female character of each game I play - with customizable options - has to be a badass redhead called iterations of the name Lenore, which is the name of my Mass Effect protagonist. I find it hilarious that my Shepard is traveling through realms bringing chaos and a very bad personality. Luckily Ela turned out similar to Lenore only in the physical aspects, mentally they're polar opposites - well, except when it comes to falling for dorks with sarcastic approaches on life << I don't remember the first thing I decided about her, actually, it's been a while. Probably something related to her strength.

Hawke

Just like Ela, he happened very randomly. I remember approaching the game superficially in the first run, like, picking just the diplomatic options and having a mediocre time throughout the story by deciding for the "best" decisions and romancing the "wrong" character. But then I remember @underneathestars mentioned that the humorous personality was super fun and I was like "oh, so I can play as the town's fool! amazing!". Plus, another friend told me that Fenris was the best romance so I was like "yeah, why not, better than [other character]" All the right calls were made and Kerry was such a fun character to play and mentally accessorize! The first thing I decided about him was that he's just Some Dude. No particular skillset, just a big heart and a tendency to put himself in danger because of it.

Ankh

Another child of a second or third or fourth (can't remember) playthrough. I remember wanting a really fun character to engage the environment with but this time with actual competences and that is really doing her best, and more. With her, I fell in love with the game and the franchise in general. The first thing I decided about her was that everything she accomplished, she had to work for it. She isn't afraid of failure, because failure is the first thing she experiences in life and she knows how to take the best tools from it to succeed another day.

🍰 CAKE SLICE - favourite cake flavour? are they specific about types of cakes?

Elanor

Coming from nobility, she has tasted many varieties of cake so she could develop preferences - and be picky about it << I would say something creamy and voluptuous, like those cakes with flavored custard and layers of puff pastry sheets, with fancy fruit on top. She's a fan of delicate scents and flavors when it comes to pastry, but it has to be decadent or else she prefers not to engage.

Hawke

He could eat any cake, really. However, his favorite is a classic: jam tart (onion and fig being his preferred choices for filling).

Ankh

She's lactose and gluten intolerant, plus she can't digest fermented aliments, so her options are very limited when it comes to eating - whenever she doesn't cut them herself because of her eating disorder. Rather than cake she's fond of small pastry. One of the best things she has ever eaten was the thedosian cousin of a cannolo, with fresh ricotta cheese, chocolate chips, and orange slices - she fell super sick after that but, eh, can't really blame her for making such a bad decision.

🚆TRAIN - what is their answer to the trolley problem?

Since the implications of the whole thing are quite complex, I'm going with the regular version (source wikipedia):

"There is a runaway trolley barreling down the railway tracks. Ahead, on the tracks, there are five people tied up and unable to move. The trolley is headed straight for them. You are standing some distance off in the train yard, next to a lever. If you pull this lever, the trolley will switch to a different set of tracks. However, you notice that there is one person on the side track. You have two (and only two) options:

Do nothing, in which case the trolley will kill the five people on the main track.

Pull the lever, diverting the trolley onto the side track where it will kill one person.

Which is the more ethical option? Or, more simply: What is the right thing to do?"

Elanor

The right thing to do, for her, would be diverting the trolley to kill one person. Hopefully it's Darkspawn

Hawke

Same as Elanor, but he'd make sure to identify the person and take care of their family afterwards

Ankh

Among the three, she's the one that thinks about it for a while before providing an answer. Would make the trolley explode, if the distance is enough to support the idea. Hypotetically, all of the people will be harmed by the explosion but nobody - except her maybe - would die. If the distance isn't enough to plan a thing, she'd do the same as the others. Her first instinct would be looking for a third option tho.

(These are not really "it's none of my business" characters lmao)

-

Emoji Asks meme

[v0idspeak]

RQ stream notes

So today Rusty Quill streamed! Woo! Alex J. Newall did a creative jam to create an audio drama in... 2 hours? I think? Anyway! I took notes!

The end result was an elevator pitch, synopsis for 6 episodes, and a somewhat fully-produced pilot episode.

It features three main characters (two protagonists and an antagonist) and two entire dogs, in a Noir Western setting.

Enjoy the notes! (Warning: they are long.)

Alex' ground rules -No swearing/anything that'll get him kicked off Twitch -Only original stories -No TMP spoilers or he gets bapped -6-part series with 10min of fully produced audio drama

-Genre - usually do a genre blend (between two different genres) (ex.: romoantic-horror) to allow for more elaborate concepts Genre choice: Noir | Western -Did some brainstorming for keywords in Aesthetics -Quickly going through Wikipedia to research the genres and find points to fill the project guide. Determine how long we have VS what kinds of stories we have time to do -Get a couple characters (3 to be exact) -Elevator pitch -Character bio detail brainstorming -Quick summary of each episode, per season -Cannibalism gave title idea: Eat the Rich (lmao actual cannibal Shia LaBoeuf) -Text between brackets is to the creators' benefit rather than in the actual episode -Pilot needs a Final Complication/hook/cliffhanger in order to get the listener's attention -Alex abuses of speech-to-text (it fights back sometimes) -Writes pilot script -Writes tagline mid-pilot scripting -Once script is over, highlighted parts that are being voice-acted -Started actually voice acting the scene -Silent sound markers (snap fingers - wait a few seconds - snap fingers again. I think this is for denoising purposes) -Occasionally makes voiceacting notes/redoes lines -Moving screams in separate layers. A lot of things he's doing can be done automatically but he's doing it in Audacity manually so we see what's going on. He'll also be taking shortcuts and such that he shouldn't -Silence marker - effect - noise reduction (after getting sound profile for the silence) -(reduce memory load by doing Stereo To Mono while working; do NOT do this for a real podcast ahaha) -Normalize audio -Audacity is a destructive audio program which makes things Difficult (I think Reaper isn't which is neat) -Use fades to hide a cut -One track per scene? -Use scene cuts where a lot is left unsaid -Once dialogue is cut, finds SFX (he has soundbanks - soundbanks good) -Oh No Soundscaping (TM) -And then Music (ft. Upbeat Sax- I mean what?) -Exporting stuff is very frustrating (ft. Alex flappy hands, but angy) -Does artwork during exporting (ft. Alex goat noises) (graphic design is his passion) (he's using Paint) -EQ work! -Exporting -Alex is very good at doing the post-episode monologue

Brainstorm Template: -Key Info *Title (Eat the rich) *Logline (It's dog eat dog in the belly of the new world beast) *Elevator pitch (Grim the gritty outsider with nothing to lose stumbles upon the railway being built none other than Princeton with dangerous labour practices and there's a secret conspiracy that can only be unearther with the help of Elisa Thorne. Mining equipment, illegal land grab at the outskirts of OldNew Manchester *Genre (Western | Noir) *Series format (6x10 episodes)

-Aesthetics *Tone (introspective | outside the law | Death of the wilderness | Gritty | Vigilante | Brooding | Corruption) *FX (Wind, tumbleweed, Narrator/VO, guns, whip snap, gravel, vultures, door hinges, whistling, campfire, horses, wood, saxophone, sound of smoke, train heist) *Music (Slow n low, sax, jazz, saloon piano, blues/harmonica, banjo, cello) *Visuals (dust bowl, urban, smokey, wilderness, night, American, chiaroscuro, trenchcoats, hats)

Project guide -World guide *Noir (No happy endings promised) *Sandbox (calamity james retelling,

-Characters CHARACTER | ROLE | AGE | PRONOUNS performance guide Bio

Elisa Thorne | LAW LADY | 37 | She/her No nonsense brusqye, played by April Bio: Has wife, has cool dog, loves flowers, run away from money,

Grim | GRITTY OUTSIDER | 55 | They/them Mr badger from Wind in the Willows meets An no country for old men Bio: Never sleeps, sharpshooter, Also Has A Bigger Dog, caffeine addiction

Elon Princeton | CAPITALIST | AGE | HE/HIM Just everything that's wrong with the world right now condensed into a person Bio: Menacing knitting, Illegally obtained Emerald mine, father of Elisa's wife, allergic to dogs

Season synposes

S1 - 1 (pilot) (Grim rolls into town as Elon is announcing that they can finally finish the final phase of the railway connecting city with a remote outpost, Eliza attempts arrest due to dog attacking Elon, Grim driven out of town as he is too dangerous to be captured, Grim sneaks back into city because they cannot leave without their coffee. Discover Elon's conspiracy - they are hgiding bodies beneath railway [Elon is a cannibal] [Elon is an actual accountable cannibal accountant lmao] [Picked up in the Emerald Mine Disaster, continued bc he likes it & hates the poor]. Grim gets a pardon if they help take Elon down. Eliza discovers her wife has disappeared) 2 - (Eliza investigates missing wife with poor results, Grim gets involved despite themself and starts using off the book methods to squeeze info from contacts including some ranches from outside of town & implied secrets about Elon, Grim gets results - gunfight - Elisa forced to rescue Grim - forced to get along - respect each other) 3 - (staged train robbery to cover up final shipment of bodies, Grim injured) 4 - reversal (Eliza's wife revealed to have been covering for Elon, Elon takes control of town and Eliza is framed for robbery. Eliza forced out of town.) 5 - knot (Elon covers up recent scandal (illicit affair with newly arrived rancher) w disappearance of [???] Discover bodies) 6 - conclusion/finale (Discover Elon cannibal, Elon eaten by dogs, Eliza's wife Irene chooses Dad over Eliza bc NOIR, Grim leaves, there is no justice)

Pilot script *Scene 1 Grim rolls into town as Elon is announcing that they can finally finish the final phase of the railway connecting city with a remote outpost, -Grim is unimpressed and picks a fight -Eliza attempts to descalate situation despite hating Elon and fails bc Grim is unhelpful & dog is worrying Elon -Grim hears automobile backfiring, assumes they are under fire, gunfighting ensues (gunfighting shoes???) -Grim flees town (Grim driven out of town as he is too dangerous to be captured)

*Scene 2 Grim sneaks back into city because they cannot leave without their coffee. -Via railway into city -Witnesses bodies being laid amongst the sleepers (Discover Elon's conspiracy - they are hgiding bodies beneath railway)

*Scene 3 -Despite Grim's instincts, they decide to warn sheriff Eliza about bodies (Twist because Noir -Alex) -Eliza arrests Grimm (assuming they are lying) until hearing name Elon -Dogs like each other :D -Irene enters with late night surprise dinner for Eliza - immediately hides suspicions and lies to wife about Grim. Grim is shocked but plays along. (This thing writes ITSELF!! -Alex)

[Elon is a cannibal] [Elon is an actual accountable cannibal accountant lmao] [Picked up in the Emerald Mine Disaster, continued bc he likes it & hates the poor].

*Scene 4 (written after scene 5 - lull in action -Grim sitting on Eliza's porch and mulling things over - plays harmonica

Scene 5 -Eliza discovers wife has disappeared and demands Grim's help bc they are an oustsider & closest thing to friend that Eliza has in this messed up city Grim gets a pardon if they help take Elon down. Eliza discovers her wife has disappeared

[HERE, Alex takes more detailed notes and doesn't really pause so I didn't note the dialogue and such. Also Alex's accent is glorious.] [He talked about digging a pit and now everyone in chat is spamming DIG] [The speech to text keeps writing Gunfight Ensues as Gunfighting Shoes.] ["I like Grim. Grim's a fun character." Same, Alex, same.] [Shoutout to Alex doing beatboxing with a weird dog noise while trimming sounds] [plays thunder sound "Ohohoho! I don't care if it's Gothic! My wife has dissapeared KPHHHHHW"] [Alex' frustrated sounds are something to behold. Gremlin noises fr.] [Chat has started singing Hellfire by the Mechanisms] ["I warn everyone, this isn't going to be a thing that is pleasant to listen to"] ["NARRATION!"] [File is huge. There is now a vote in chat, called Chonk? with three options, Chonk, Chonk, and Chonk. The first Chonk won!] [Notetaker's note: I still miss Winston Princeton]

TMP news: "Jonny has pitched to me the most horrific thing ever" [about s3 of TMP?] etc etc (can't share it. WHAT A TEASE >:| /lh)

[man-and-atom]

A “traditional” central-station electric power system works very much like a railroad. There is a dispatcher’s office, where people keep track of the power that’s being generated, the available generating capacity, the loads, and the paths that power flows along. They have the assistance of tabulated data showing load patterns for past weeks, months, and years, with variations for everything from weather conditions to sporting events. The dispatcher can do things like telephone the operator at a hydro plant and say “we are going to need full output from you in ten minutes”.

Wind and solar, however, are non-dispatchable : they become available or unavailable without any reference to when and where power is needed. The result is more like a freeway, where traffic jams are inevitable, than like a railway, where delays only occur when something goes wrong.

To balance generation against load, with a lot of non-dispatchable generation, the best you can do is to build (at corresponding expense) way more than a simple computation would say you need, so that something will be available most of the time, and then disconnect whatever’s in excess at a given moment. Of course, you can’t just go around disconnecting people’s homes from the grid! Promoters of wind and solar say that these problems will be solved by “smart grids”, time-of-use pricing, and similar fixes. This is bound to work just as well as computer-driven cars and congestion tolls work to straighten out city traffic.

All in all, it is a very good thing that we have a proven technology which gives us power in large, dispatchable, highly reliable blocks, with zero emissions and an unlimited fuel supply. It’s just too bad that people regard it with unwarranted suspicion, while wind and solar are glamorous (at least to people who don’t have to live with them).

[gbhbl]

Album Review: Midland Railway - Midland Railway (Self Released)

Midland Railway have tried to deliver the very best of themselves and so much of it sticks in the mind, for all manner of reasons. Least of all, just how ruddy infectious each and every track is.

British-Greek melodic alternative rockers Midland Railway will release their self-titled album on February 14th, 2025. With their tongues jammed in their cheeks and with a focus on bouncy catchiness, Midland Railway are a lovable bunch. Everything great about them is showcased across the length and breadth of this album, and it starts off in grin inducing fashion with She Loves Ted Bundy. Where…

[rosswallisma]

Day Eleven

Not a good start to the night - with the campsite right next to both railway and main road into Taumaranui, ear plugs again. but great showers, lots of hot water, WiFi, and a constant hot water boiler for several mugs of rooibos tea with lemon. I also booked my spot on the Whanganui River jet boat service, then set off into town to find a sports shop where I bought more dehydrated food, and water sterilising tablets. Shame you can’t buy dehydrated water… just add two parts of hydrogen to one of oxygen - which you get from the air - so only carry the hydrogen - which makes you lighter! Win win win.

Out of town after a coffee, to speed me on my way - galvanised for many hours of steep up hill on rough gravel roads - I passed a young Argentinian called Julius, who was doing the whole AT, and finding it tough… 450 meters climb, to Owhango, (nothing there) then 500 meters drop - the downhill bits being no relief, with the ever constant possibility of losing control of the front wheel on the gravel, and coming off over the bars - to finally arrive at the Blue Duck station café in Whakahoro (the café is all that’s there, but at least there is one). Though I arrived just after it closed… but the let me buy a drink - my last $10 - and take on more water. Then the most fabulous climb, 500 meters straight up on a very thin bare earth track, with a precipitous drop to the left much of the way, with the river way down below. Not for the feint hearted! I arrived at the summit just as the sun was setting, with a spectacular view of Mount Taranaki in the far distance. Setting up camp and eating freeze dried veggie carbonara with tuna in the dark. One other guy here, another fully kitted out German called Marcus, doing the full AT. Many others chose to do the climb in the morning, and stay over at the Blue Duck, but I was so glad I didn’t - it would have been a 5.30 start… And the morning ride - 550 meters almost straight dowm, was very a very muddy track, from the Mangapurua trig where I camped, to the Whanganui river. My chain set got totally gummed up with very sticky mud early on, and the chain wrapped around the sprocket and jammed solid - took an age to free, and then made a crazy noise up every slight incline - I was worried it had broken, but I think now it was just mud. So a 3/4 hour 70 knot boat trip on the river, from the middle of nowhere (literally) to Pipiriki. Most of the day I knew there were cyclists in front and behind, but all going my way, so must of the day I could have been the only person within 100 miles.

The Mangapurua trig was interesting - a memorial to early settlers, mostly WW1 servicemen, who had been given small sections of these very remote valleys as a sort of thank you - with the expectation that a road would be built - and it sort of was, starting with a large concrete bridge, but the sections proved almost impossible to maintain. Settlers broke their backs building cabins, trying to live off the land - but the road kept being swept away, and in the forties the government decided to maintain it no longer, and all the setters were unsettled. The concrete bridge remains, now renamed the bridge to nowhere, and tourists like me can hike, bike, canoe or jet boat to see this strange bit of history.

[roaming-kerala]

Cab Service in Trivandrum: The Convenient Way to Explore Kerala’s Capital

Trivandrum (Thiruvananthapuram), the capital of Kerala, is a city that beautifully blends tradition and modernity. Known for its cultural heritage, scenic landscapes, and beautiful beaches, it’s a place that beckons both tourists and business travelers. While exploring this vibrant city and its surrounding attractions, one of the most convenient ways to get around is by using a reliable cab service Trivandrum.

Whether you’re visiting the historic Padmanabhaswamy Temple, relaxing on the golden sands of Kovalam Beach, or taking a trip to nearby destinations like Varkala or Poovar, a cab service provides a hassle-free, comfortable, and affordable option for traveling within the city and beyond. Here's everything you need to know about cab services in Trivandrum and why it’s the ideal mode of transportation for both locals and tourists.

Why Choose Cab Services in Trivandrum?

Convenience and Comfort Cabs offer door-to-door service, making them incredibly convenient for those who prefer not to deal with the stress of navigating unfamiliar roads, public transportation, or the unpredictability of local tuk-tuks. Whether you’re arriving at the Trivandrum International Airport, a hotel, or just heading to a local attraction, cabs provide a comfortable ride that lets you sit back and enjoy the journey.

Affordable and Transparent Pricing Unlike some other modes of transportation, most cab services in Trivandrum offer transparent pricing without hidden charges. Most services use a metered system or provide a fixed rate for specific routes. Many companies also offer online bookings, where the fare is clearly displayed in advance. For longer trips, some services may offer fixed-price packages that make budgeting easier.

24/7 Availability Whether you need a ride at 5 AM to catch an early flight or a midnight cab back to your hotel after a late-night outing, Trivandrum's cab services are available around the clock. With a quick phone call or an online booking, you can easily arrange a cab at any time of the day or night.

Local Knowledge and Expertise Cab drivers in Trivandrum are usually locals with a good understanding of the city, its neighborhoods, and the best routes to take. This local knowledge helps you avoid traffic jams, navigate narrow streets, and get to your destination faster. They can also provide valuable tips on the best places to eat, visit, or shop.

Safety and Reliability Reputable cab services in Trivandrum ensure that their vehicles are well-maintained and their drivers are experienced and trustworthy. This gives you peace of mind when traveling, especially in an unfamiliar city. Some services even have GPS tracking, which enhances safety for passengers.

Types of Cab Services in Trivandrum

Prepaid Taxi Services Prepaid taxis are available at major transportation hubs like the Trivandrum International Airport and the central railway station. These taxis operate on fixed fares to popular destinations within the city and surrounding areas. Prepaid services are reliable and ensure that you won’t face any last-minute pricing surprises.

App-Based Ride-Hailing Services In addition to traditional cabs, Trivandrum has seen a rise in ride-hailing services like Uber and Ola. These apps allow you to book a cab from your smartphone and provide the convenience of cashless payments. You can choose from a range of options, including budget-friendly hatchbacks, premium sedans, or larger vehicles for group travel. You can also track your ride in real-time and estimate the fare before confirming the booking.

Private Chauffeur Services If you’re looking for a more luxurious and personalized travel experience, many companies in Trivandrum offer private chauffeur-driven cars. These services cater to tourists, business executives, or anyone looking for a comfortable, hassle-free experience. Chauffeur-driven vehicles are available for city tours, airport transfers, and even long-distance trips to nearby attractions like Kovalam, Varkala, and Poovar.

Tourist Cab Services Several specialized tourist cab services are available in Trivandrum, offering pre-arranged tours or customized itineraries based on your interests. These services allow you to explore the most popular tourist attractions, including cultural sites, scenic beaches, and nature reserves, with a knowledgeable driver who can also act as a guide. This is an ideal option for first-time visitors who want to experience the essence of Kerala with minimal effort.

Popular Destinations to Visit in Trivandrum by Cab

Padmanabhaswamy Temple One of the most famous temples in India, Padmanabhaswamy Temple is an architectural marvel and a significant spiritual destination. Cabs provide easy access to the temple, allowing visitors to explore its intricate carvings and grandeur.

Kovalam Beach Just a 16-kilometer drive from Trivandrum, Kovalam is one of Kerala’s most popular beach destinations. With its beautiful crescent-shaped beaches and calm waters, it’s perfect for a relaxing day. You can also find plenty of seaside restaurants serving fresh seafood.

Varkala About 50 kilometers from Trivandrum, Varkala is a coastal town famous for its stunning cliffs that overlook the Arabian Sea. It’s a peaceful and less crowded alternative to Kovalam, making it an excellent choice for a day trip.

Poovar Island Poovar is a picturesque island located on the southernmost tip of Kerala, where the backwaters meet the sea. It’s known for its stunning natural beauty, with a peaceful ambiance that makes for an unforgettable day trip.

Sree Chitra Art Gallery Art lovers can visit the Sree Chitra Art Gallery, which showcases a vast collection of traditional and modern Indian art, including works by the famous Raja Ravi Varma.

Napier Museum and Zoo For families with children, the Napier Museum and the adjacent zoo are great places to explore. The museum houses a vast collection of Kerala’s cultural history, while the zoo provides a fun and educational experience for young visitors.

Agasthyakoodam For nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers, Agasthyakoodam, Kerala’s second-highest peak, is a must-visit. It’s located about 60 km from Trivandrum, and a cab ride will take you through lush forests and rolling hills to the base of the peak.

Tips for Using Cab Services in Trivandrum

Check for Reputable Services When choosing a cab service, always look for well-known, reputable companies. Check customer reviews, especially for app-based services like Uber and Ola, to ensure quality service.

Confirm the Fare Beforehand If you’re using a traditional taxi, make sure to ask about the fare before starting your journey. For ride-hailing apps, the fare is usually displayed before you confirm the ride, but it’s always good to double-check for any additional charges.

Stay Safe While Trivandrum is a safe city for travelers, it’s always wise to ensure that the cab is registered and the driver is verified. For added security, share your ride details with a friend or family member.

Plan Ahead Trivandrum can experience heavy traffic during peak hours, especially in the city center. If you have a specific destination or flight to catch, plan your journey with some extra time to spare.

Conclusion

Cab services in Trivandrum are the perfect way to explore this beautiful city and its surrounding attractions. Whether you need a ride to the airport, a day tour of the city’s cultural landmarks, or a trip to one of Kerala’s idyllic beaches, cabs offer a convenient, comfortable, and affordable solution. With the added benefits of local knowledge, safety, and ease of use, using a cab service in Trivandrum is a great choice for any traveler.

So, the next time you’re in Trivandrum, leave the hassle of navigating unknown streets behind and let a reliable cab service take you on an unforgettable journey through Kerala!

[samacharapp]

11 Dead After Jumping Off Train Over Fire Rumour, Getting Hit By Another

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis mourned the loss of lives, adding that he is in touch with the district administration and all assistance is being provided.

Eleven people were killed after a fire rumour on a train crossing Maharashtra's Jalgaon triggered panic among passengers, with several of them jumping off the train and getting hit by another, said the police. The death count was confirmed to NDTV by Jalgaon's Superintendent of Police.

The accident took place between Maheji and Pardhade stations near Pachora, 400 km away from Mumbai, where the Lucknow-Mumbai Pushpak Express, a Daily Superfast Express train that runs between Lucknow to Mumbai, had halted after someone pulled the chain due to a rumour of fire around 5 pm, Central Railway officials said. 

Some passengers of the Pushpak Express stepped down, and were hit by the oncoming Karnataka Express, heading from Bengaluru to Delhi, said Central Railway's chief spokesperson Swapnil Nila.

"Our preliminary information is that there were sparks inside one of the coaches of Pushpak Express due to either 'hot axle' or 'brake-binding' (jamming), and some passengers panicked. They pulled the chain, and some of them jumped down on the tracks. At the same time, Karnataka Express was passing on the adjoining track," a senior railway official told news agency PTI.

An accident relief train has been dispatched from Bhusaval, said the Central Railway, adding that all efforts are being made to provide medical aid to the injured passengers.

Harrowing images showed bodies lying on tracks and some people wandering around with blood all over them. 

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis mourned the loss of lives, adding that he is in touch with the district administration and all assistance is being provided. 

"The loss of lives in the unfortunate incident near Pachora in Jalgaon district is deeply distressing. I express my condolences to the families of those killed. My colleague, minister Girish Mahajan, and the Superintendent of Police have reached the spot, and the District Collector will reach there shortly," Mr Fadnavis posted on X in Marathi. 

"The entire district administration is working in coordination with the railway administration, and immediate arrangements are being made for the treatment of the injured. Eight ambulances have been dispatched. The general hospital as well as other nearby private hospitals have been kept ready for the treatment of the injured. Emergency equipment like glass cutters, floodlights etc. have also been kept ready. We are monitoring the entire situation and all necessary assistance is being provided immediately. I am in touch with the district administration," the Chief Minister added.

Maharashtra minister Gulabrao Patil, who is also the guardian minister of Jalgaon, said senior officials are reaching the spot.

News is originally taken from: https://bit.ly/40q3IXZ

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[gangaanantam]

Ganga Anantam: Redefining Luxury Living in Sector 85, Gurgaon

Nestled in the heart of Sector 85, Gurgaon, Ganga Anantam is an exquisite residential project that offers a perfect blend of luxury, convenience, and modern living. With its impeccable design, world-class amenities, and strategic location, this ready-to-move housing society stands out as an ideal choice for homebuyers seeking an unparalleled lifestyle.

Overview of the Project

Ganga Anantam is a testament to architectural brilliance and thoughtful urban planning. Spread across 5.29 acres (21,400 sq.m.), the project features three magnificent towers that soar up to 59 floors, housing a total of 524 premium units. Offering spacious 3 BHK and 4 BHK apartments, the development caters to discerning buyers who value quality and exclusivity. With prices ranging from ₹3.31 crore to ₹6.19 crore, Ganga Anantam provides a range of configurations to suit various needs and preferences.

Apartment Configurations

The meticulously designed apartments at Ganga Anantam boast contemporary layouts that optimize space and functionality. Here’s a quick look at the configurations:TypeSizePrice3 BHK Apartment1,658 sq.ft.₹3.31 crore onwards4 BHK Apartment3,101 sq.ft.₹6.19 crore onwards

These homes are thoughtfully crafted to ensure maximum comfort, with premium fittings and finishes that exude elegance.

Key Features and Amenities

Ganga Anantam offers a host of luxurious amenities designed to enhance your everyday living experience. Residents can indulge in the following:

Infinity Pool: A serene oasis for relaxation and leisure, offering stunning views of the skyline.

Swimming Pool: Perfect for a refreshing dip or weekend unwinding.

Bar/Chill-Out Lounge: An exclusive space to socialize and entertain guests.

Business Lounge: Designed for residents who value a professional environment within their community.

These features make Ganga Anantam a standout choice for those who appreciate the finer things in life.

Strategic Location Advantages

Sector 85 in Gurgaon is a rapidly developing area that offers excellent connectivity and infrastructure. Ganga Anantam’s location ensures proximity to key landmarks and amenities:

Healthcare: The project is close to S.R.S. Hospital and Critical Care Unit, ensuring quality medical facilities.

Transit Points: The Garhi Harsaru Junction Railway Station is the nearest transit point, providing easy connectivity to other parts of the city and beyond.

Road Networks: Proximity to NH-48 ensures seamless access to Delhi, Manesar, and other major hubs.

Planned Metro Route: The upcoming metro line promises enhanced connectivity in the near future.

X-Factors That Enhance Livability

Ganga Anantam stands out not only for its luxurious offerings but also for its location advantages that promise a superior quality of life. Here are some key highlights:

No Traffic Jams Nearby: The area is well-planned, ensuring smooth traffic flow and minimal congestion.

Good Schools Nearby: Renowned educational institutions are in close proximity, making it a great choice for families.

Low Pollution Levels: Sector 85 is relatively pollution-free, offering a healthier environment.

Markets Within Walking Distance: Daily necessities and shopping options are easily accessible.

Ample Ready Units: Immediate possession options are available, eliminating waiting periods.

Builder’s Reputation and Vision

The builder behind Ganga Anantam has a proven track record of excellence in real estate development. With a 70% focus on residential projects, the company specializes in mid-to-high-end developments, particularly in Pune and nearby regions. Though commercial ventures constitute 15-20% of their portfolio, they are gradually expanding into new markets and larger-scale projects.

Their commitment to quality and customer satisfaction is evident in the thoughtful planning and execution of Ganga Anantam. This project aligns with their vision of creating spaces that combine luxury, convenience, and sustainability.

Price Appreciation and Investment Potential

Investing in Ganga Anantam is not only about acquiring a premium home but also about securing a valuable asset. The locality’s property prices have shown consistent growth, with a 0.5% increase in the last quarter. Here’s a glimpse of the estimated price appreciation trends for similar projects:Project Type1 Year3 Years5 YearsLuxury Residential5-8%15-18%25-30%Mid-Range Residential4-6%12-15%20-25%

With its strategic location, exceptional amenities, and builder’s reputation, Ganga Anantam promises excellent returns on investment.

Why Choose Ganga Anantam?

Strategic Connectivity: Near major highways and upcoming metro lines.

World-Class Amenities: Infinity pool, business lounge, and more.

Livable Environment: Low pollution, proximity to schools, hospitals, and markets.

Ready-to-Move Units: Immediate possession ensures convenience and peace of mind.

Growth Potential: Rising property values make it a lucrative investment.

Conclusion

Ganga Anantam is more than just a residential project; it is a lifestyle statement. Its combination of luxury, convenience, and strategic location makes it an unbeatable choice for homebuyers and investors alike. Whether you’re looking for a dream home or a promising investment, Ganga Anantam checks all the right boxes. Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of this prestigious community in Sector 85, Gurgaon.

[celtfather]

Thankfully, There's You and Celtic Music #687

Happy Thanksgiving from the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast #687 . Subscribe now!

Socks in the Frying Pan, Conor Lamb, Brendan Mulholland & Deirdre Galway, Cherish The Ladies, Ewen Henderson, Irishtown Road, Adam Agee & Jon Sousa, Jesse Ferguson, Alexis Chartrand & Nicolas Babineau, Emerald Accent, Jimmy & Scots Folk Band, Maggie’s Wake, Charlie Rutan, RIver Drivers, The Langer's Ball

GET CELTIC MUSIC NEWS IN YOUR INBOX

The Celtic Music Magazine is a quick and easy way to plug yourself into more great Celtic culture. Enjoy seven weekly news items for Celtic music and culture online. Subscribe now and get 34 Celtic MP3s for Free.

VOTE IN THE CELTIC TOP 20 FOR 2024

This is our way of finding the best songs and artists each year. You can vote for as many songs and tunes that inspire you in each episode. Your vote helps me create next year's Best Celtic music of 2024 episode. You have just three weeks to vote this year. Vote Now!

You can follow our playlist on Spotify to listen to those top voted tracks as they are added every 2 - 3 weeks. It also makes it easier for you to add these artists to your own playlists. You can also check out our Irish & Celtic Music Videos.

THIS WEEK IN CELTIC MUSIC

0:07 - Socks in the Frying Pan "Jam Making" from Waiting for Inspiration

3:26 - WELCOME

6:02 - Conor Lamb, Brendan Mulholland & Deirdre Galway "Clifford's (slides)" from Music in the Glen

9:06 - Cherish The Ladies "12 Ambletown (feat. The Ennis Sisters)" from Heart of the Home

12:57 - Ewen Henderson "Coire Gabhail" from Lèirsinn  -  Perception

17:07 - Irishtown Road "Our Lad Dan" from On the One Road

18:52 - FEEDBACK

23:02 - Adam Agee & Jon Sousa "Farewell to Glasgow / Maud Millar / The Long Drop / John

Naughton’s / The Laccaroe / The Easy Club" from Suantraí

31:17 - Jesse Ferguson "Two Magicians" from Ten

35:36 - Alexis Chartrand & Nicolas Babineau "Soucy" from Écoutez tous

39:11 - Emerald Accent "Star of the County Down" from All of Us

43:32 - THANKS

46:28 - Jimmy & Scots Folk Band "FOLLOW ME UP TO CARLOW_Swallowtail Jig" from The Viking Irishman

49:16 - Maggie’s Wake "Grosse Isle (Far Away)" from Maggie’s Wake

52:38 - Charlie Rutan "Raggle Taggle Gypsies, O (feat. Sylvia Platypus)" from Urban Village Piping

55:40 - RIver Drivers "PAT WORKS ON THE RAILWAY" from Live at SteelStacks

58:21 - CLOSING

59:45 - The Langer's Ball "It Feels Good" from Hold Tight

1:02:29 - CREDITS

The Irish & Celtic Music Podcast was produced by Marc Gunn, The Celtfather and our Patrons on Patreon. The show was edited by Mitchell Petersen with Graphics by Miranda Nelson Designs. Visit our website to follow the show. You’ll find links to all of the artists played in this episode.

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Finally, remember. Reduce, reuse, recycle, and talk with others about climate change. This is the only way we will make a significant change to climate policies. So start a discussion with someone today.

Promote Celtic culture through music at http://celticmusicpodcast.com/.

WELCOME THE IRISH & CELTIC MUSIC PODCAST

* Helping you celebrate Celtic culture through music. I am Marc Gunn.

This podcast is for fans of Celtic music. Not just the big names you’ve probably heard of. But also the Celtic bands in your neck of the woods, at your festivals.

It is here to build a diverse Celtic community and help the incredible artists who so generously share their music with you. If you hear music you love, please email artists to let them know you heard them on the Irish and Celtic Music Podcast. Musicians depend on your generosity to keep making music. So please find a way to support them. Buy a CD, Album Pin, Shirt, Digital Download, or join their communities on Patreon.

You can find a link to all of the artists in the shownotes, along with show times, when you visit our website at celticmusicpodcast.com.

If you are a Celtic musician or in a Celtic band, then please submit your band to be played on the podcast. You don’t have to send in music or an EPK. You will get a free eBook called Celtic Musicians Guide to Digital Music and learn how to follow the podcast. It’s 100% free. Just email Email follow@bestcelticmusic and of course, listeners can learn how to subscribe to the podcast and get a free music - only episode.

THANK YOU PATRONS OF THE PODCAST!

You are amazing. It is because of your generosity that you get to hear so much great Celtic music each and every week.

Your kindness pays for our engineer, graphic designer, Celtic Music Magazine editor, promotion of the podcast, and allows me to buy the music I play here. It also pays for my time creating the show each and every week.

As a patron, you get ad  -  free episodes before regular listeners, vote in the Celtic Top 20, stand  -  alone stories, you get a private feed to listen to the show or you can listen through the Patreon app.  All that for as little as $1 per month.

A special thanks to our Celtic Legends: Bruce, Brian McReynolds, Marti Meyers, Alan Schindler, Karen DM Harris, Emma Bartholomew, Dan mcDade, Miranda Nelson, Nancie Barnett, Kevin Long, Gary R Hook, Lynda MacNeil, Kelly Garrod, Mike Schock, Annie Lorkowski, Shawn Cali

Patreon made a big change recently. You no longer make a pledge per episode of the podcast. Instead, you can make one set, solid pledge per month.

HERE IS YOUR ALL  -  NEW THREE STEP PLAN TO SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Go to our Patreon page.

Decide how much you want to pledge per month, $3, $5, $15, $25.

Keep listening to the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast to celebrate Celtic culture through music.

You can become a generous Patron of the Podcast on Patreon at SongHenge.com.

TRAVEL WITH CELTIC INVASION VACATIONS

Every year, I take a small group of Celtic music fans on the relaxing adventure of a lifetime. We don't see everything. Instead, we stay in one area. We get to know the region through its culture, history, and legends. You can join us with an auditory and visual adventure through podcasts and videos. Learn more about the invasion at http://celticinvasion.com/

#celticmusic #irishmusic #celticmusicpodcast

I WANT YOUR FEEDBACK

What are you doing today while listening to the podcast? Please email me. I’d love to see a  picture of what you're doing while listening. Is there a new Celtic CD or Celtic band that you heard of or saw?

Email me at follow@bestcelticmusic.

Yoje emailed on Patreon: "Greetings! After listening to the podcast almost a year, I finally got around to subscribing on Patreon  -  apologies it took so long. Though I noticed that with the RSS feed, I no longer get any of the podcast/album art when playing, which is especially noticeable since I listen to it regularly on my commute and my car screen shows a big generic musical note instead of the artwork! Any ideas what I may be doing wrong? Thanks again for an awesome podcast!"

Darren Mahoney commented on a Patreon post: "Would like to see more west coast Irish music content. Sean Daly (Shams), Stout pounders, Coming up three’s, Stark raving plaid, Whiskeydicks we have some great acts out here! 😁"

Charlie O'Brien emailed: "Hey Marc, My name is Charlie O'Brien, I'm a folk singer from Killarney. For the past two years I've been in Argentina researching and singing Irish trad songs printed in a rural paper in Buenos Aires in the late 1800's. Last month I released an album of these ballads "The Trackless Wild, Irish Song of the Pampa" during a Culture Ireland sponsored tour of Argentina with trad. fiddle player Aidan Connolly.

Here's a download link for the album, would be great if ye could give a song or two a spin on your podcast. I think you played songs from a previous album of mine "Hy Brasil" a few years back.  beir bua,"

  Check out this episode!

[yutzen]

The Events of Windchime Hill

(Another non-main crew one, this one recycled from FAR older writings than usual in fact and used for the prompt, which was provided by Making Up Monsters on Cohost)

Monster who notices people on a railway track, and has a decision to make

"Let me just paint you the picture, mm? Something of an outside picture, it seems proper, it does. Once upon a time, in a land of many Scarlet Chimneys, a train came bounding off its rails..."

"It was quite a lot of coincidences, it was. No train should've been there at that hour, for one, let alone one roaring in at such breakneck speeds. No mining charge should've been on the rails, either, rigged to go off soon as anything touched it. And most of all, the two that saw everything that followed, they should've never been there; why, they should've been locked in an old, old city over a thousand miles away, unable to even decide to get there and intervene."

"Yet there they all were, in the wrong place at the wrong time, for all the involved. And in the end, when you think about it, those who should've been there the least were the only ones to walk away."

"It all began, of course, with a distant blast. Sharp and echoing. And that was already cause for concern all by itself, definitely turned their heads. Yet the screeching, clanking cacophony of twisting metal that followed it, oh that was far, far worse, a sign of sure catastrophe..."

"And, to a couple of unliving beings, constructs that had long resorted to rebuilding themselves and each other with whatever they could find, why, it was also a grim opportunity. Anything aboard, even the very parts of the train itself, could be key to prolonging themselves just a little longer. Even the ravaged scrap metal of a hull could help, once taken apart and smelted... You have to get creative, and fairly callous too, when all you truly have is yourself. Well, yourselves, as the case would be, wouldn't it?"

"But for that, oh, they'd need to hurry. After all, it wasn't them that laid that charge on the rails. They hadn't fallen that low yet - much as scavenging the work of someone that had wasn't so much better. But it had happened nonetheless, and they were close enough to hear it, and be there, if they made things quick."

"And it was thus that two constructs, the ones you know well, marched on, thinking themselves ready to sort through a tragedy... oh, they couldn't have imagined."

"Sorry sight THAT was. Bloody armored trains like those, soon as they start derailing all that extra metal just becomes a part of the clusterf- the mess, another reason why it got so huge, and so damned bloody. But I'm getting ahead of myself there, because we're still talking about a DELIBERATE derailment and those are ALWAYS worse. The bomb on those rails was no firecracker, damn thing could've sent half a HILL tumbling down all by itself! Says something about the locomotive that there was anything LEFT from it. That was ANOTHER thing that shouldn't have been, you don't have armored wagons like that just roaming around like nothing, this was SPECIAL."

"But that's the thing with special. Someone ALWAYS takes a shot at it. And take it they did. Explosion, derailment, mess of crumbled metal, MORE explosions, and by the time all that was done not a lot was left alive. And still they got a train so loaded, JAM-PACKED with goods, that even with THAT much of a disaster they still had one hell of a payday with them. Lucky them! Except for the part they weren't alone. The part where someone else HEARD them, was coming to check, and had even MORE to gain. If you could call that a gain back then."

"...you have to wonder how it LOOKED to them. The fires going out, the outside sorted, everything's going smoother than they could've ever IMAGINED. Got the fanciest train they've seen in their lives, their biggest bomb well spent. And they're ready to go in, right until... guess one of them got a sick feeling or something, because that one turned around right before it started."

"And you have to wonder what he THOUGHT as soon as he saw... not just ANY two constructs. Not just the dull sweepers and haulers everyone knows from the Vaults. I know you wouldn't see it THAT way, but keep in mind these were raiders that never saw ANYTHING like this... You know one thing that amuses me? You and I know the truth, but I am VERY sure they found the big, hulking, BURNING mass of walking obsidian closing in to be the most TERRIFYING thing they ever saw! Kheheh~"

"Oh, I'm sure the whirring, blinding tangle of copper and silver terrified them just as much, no one is ever ready for such sparks, and the thrumming sound, and the wirework shooting towards them like snakes. But let us not get into such comparisons, shall we? That isn't the important part of the story, clearly. And, admittedly, neither are the bandits, past a certain point. Which would be the point we're in..."

"These were two battered, DESPERATE constructs that had nothing but each other right then, and had just found SOMETHING that could last them more than a week. With the only thing standing between that and them being BANDITS. The callous thought was no one would miss them. And the desperate thought was that if even ONE walked away and said even ONE thing about these two rogues? If that thing slipped to even ONE city? All those years HIDING in the wild would have been for NOTHING. Back then rogues had it even WORSE."

"Mm, yes, thank you for putting it that way, Kig, dear. And for playing along on this, I ought to say, but moving on. Moving on, because lingering upon the brief minute or so that followed isn't right for you or anyone, but especially you. What matters is, the ones that set that charge didn't get to enjoy the spoils, or anything else."

"Nevertheless, once they could get to the train itself, that's where it truly dawned on them how unusual it all was. Oh, the armor on the thing was only the start, there were strange and mangled mechanisms all over its interior; why, some of them were so unusual, so complex, even the two could hardly understand what they were looking at. They knew now this was clearly a train of terrible importance to someone, someone would very much care that it would never arrive. And this gave the constructs trouble, it did, putting a timer on all they needed to do. And that was before they even got to the passengers' luggage!"

"...ah, and the passengers themselves, of course. The outside had looked disastrous already, but the inside, why, it became clear none of the fancy things inside had been there for their safety. The more these two... fortunate constructs prowled, the more they found none of them had made it. And the more questions they had on who they all were. Most of them were Bannerbound, they were, but there was a little of every species. Every species, they even had a few from the most remote hives... Yet none of them had made it, none. And many of them had these odd bandages on them, like a Bannerbound Clan, like... one of the Clans in particular, I hardly remember which-"

"I'd say Clan Vesnor, Tee. Not that it HELPED them any when it came to ble- No, we're not going there. Not at this hour."

"Thank you, Kig, dear, though we might still need to touch lightly on that... Nonetheless, wagon by wagon they went, and they found more than enough parts to last them, to keep them ticking for much longer still. And many more that they didn't quite understand, at the time. They'd take those too, just in case; after all, when you are a construct, weight is hardly a limiting factor, isn't it? Much less than it would be for most. But they also found more... passengers. More and more, with little to be done. They tried to keep it off their minds, and they managed to, all this was necessity, and the fallen hardly needed it all anymore..."

"But then, at the back, there was... they found..."

"The thing about big tragedies is that they have layers. Sub-tragedies within them. And what they found THERE was one hell of a sub-tragedy. One that was NOT over yet. Among the casualties, there were two Q- two Troxi, both of them with the bandages. Inscribed, and dyed blue, they could see it even with the... mess inside. They had it BAD. Still had their luggage with them too. Scattered everywhere. Most of it for metalworking! Lucky them, they thought, and they almost jumped in to see what they could carry off, trying not to think about what this same heavy luggage had done to THEM."

"...then the two heard a whimper."

"There was a third Troxi in there. Hardly five years old, at a guess. And she was alive. Saved by her own size, is my guess, seeing she was the ONE kid and the ONE survivor to the whole thing... and even then, only barely. She was- her injuries... she was on the verge. Wouldn't last, if no one helped, you could SEE the life fading in her eye. And the little one was just clinging to the other two, staring straight ahead, with ragged breathing and with her tail around what back then LOOKED like just a fancy forge hammer. Slowly shutting down..."

"And the two that came upon THAT looked at each other. Suddenly it wasn't so simple. Suddenly there wasn't a lot they could tell themselves about this all. And suddenly, they were in an even BIGGER hurry than they could've imagined. And they knew it without trading even ONE word."

"They... knew each other well enough, they did. Even the most talkative of the lot couldn't find anything to say. Or that needed to be said, when faced with..."

"When faced with someone that had the WORST of luck, standing OR laying there that day. Like Tee said, of all that shouldn't have been there, this little girl should've been there the LEAST. OUTSIDE of whatever machinations were being set up in that train. AWAY from this deathtrap of a rail. AWAY from this TRAGEDY! But there she was. With NOTHING left... except for herself. And even that was sheared, and fading quickly."

"...when you are built, you worry more than anyone that breathes about how much of you is you. And how much is just WRITTEN in you. And so much of what those two did had them wondering, sometimes. Surviving is hard-coded. Violence, only SLIGHTLY less so, with the way the Vaults are. And even those two aiding one another? There is STILL the argument that this is just some linking protocol. Some drive to cover each other, TECHNICALLY on the same side that made them. And you worry with THAT, whether anything you do is actually a choice. But..."

"But, what those two thought, and decided that moment, well... they would never have to worry about it in such terms. They would never question it. And they never have."

"It would be arduous, and painful for all involved, unfortunately. Those two saved what they could; one arm, one leg, one eye, all outside their grasp, but they could save what mattered at least. They'd need to make space, leave some things behind to carry her out... with her little hammer, too, which she refused to leave behind, just kept tugging it along with her tail. So on it went, with spoils that suddenly didn't seem so important. They took what luggage of theirs they could, before making their exit someplace else. Anywhere else... because even their life on the run, away from much of the world and with no one but themselves, would be better than this. But, much as they didn't realize it fully then, now there were three."

"The rest was difficult, at first. They had much to learn that first day, and the first week, and the year that followed... and every year since. It's been quite a few since that day, hasn't it...? And still they haven't entirely figured it all out. But such is parenthood, it is, or so they say when one asks. All they could do was keep learning, keep figuring things out, and of course the occasional apology for those abundant mistakes..."

"Right now the apology we owe you is how much we blew THIS storytelling! Three sparks, I am GLAD this isn't your bedtime right now, Vi. Sorry about the nightmares, I TRIED to rein things in but the sheer MESS that was... everything, needed to be told. And maybe we should just DROP the third-person earlier."

"Kig, dear, I felt it was... necessary, at least at first, an objective look, objective as we could manage, mm?"

"Maybe, but being objective about THIS feels like we shouldn't even bother. The fact it WASN'T just the cold math we were running back then is the POINT!"

"...heh. It is, isn't it? It took me some time to figure that out, it did. But we did. Be proud of that, Virry dear, you went and melted hearts that weren't even there, mm?"

"Tee, it was- ...it's a crude way to put THAT one. But all the better that you did, Vi. Tee KEEPS joking about how hard it was, but this... it's better. It's just... better. And looking back at that day, and looking at you now... I'm glad we were there. I'm glad, and... I'm proud of you for making it, Vi. Then, and this far... with these two that can't even tell a STORY right, kheheh~"

"Kiggie, dear, don't push it so far, mm? Let's not ruin the moment... much as we'll need to split this hug soon, because I'm quite sure I heard a little growl down here."

"KHAH! Right, it IS dinner time! You're better than any clock, Vi! Let THAT be our apology then, let's make something GOOD!"

"Funny how cooking was one of the lessons we did learn quickly, mm~?"