Filter By
Jun 19, 2010
Just For Fun

A Lego 3S

Sometimes models can explain things in ways words can’t. With that in mind, take a look at this fantastic Lego model of a 3S Gondola system. Is it perfect? Hardly. But pay careful attention to the acceleration and deceleration wheels. Those replicate pretty accurately the way in which detachable gondola systems are accelerated and decelerated...

Read More

Jun 10, 2010
Just For Fun

The Spindle

My mother owns a loom she uses for making small blankets and an occasional wall hanging. When I was four she pulled me away from my blocks and legos to hold a spindle of yarn while she unrolled the thread and rewound it into a ball. For several minutes I did as I was told, until a better...

Read More

Jun 06, 2010
Just For Fun

The Gondola Concert Series

The following four videos come from Music Fog’s Gondola Concert Series while the last video is an older(ish) video of the Avett Brothers performing in a gondola. Fun’s important, people. Gondola Concert Series, 2010 – Part 2: Gondola Concert Series, 2010 – Part 1: Gondola Concert Series, 2009 – Part 2: Gondola Concert Series, 2009...

Read More

Jun 02, 2010
Just For Fun, Oddities

Mukhtar’s Birthday

This is one of the most inspiring transit-related videos I’ve come across in a while. Mukhtar is a bus driver in Cophenhagen, Denmark. On May 5th, his riders decided to celebrate his birthday for him: A few observations: The bus has free wi-fi (0:13). The trumpet player and his posse do not seem to pay...

Read More

May 29, 2010
History, Just For Fun, Oddities

Von Roll Sky Rides

Von Roll Seilbahn was a prolific Swiss builder of ropeway systems in the 20th century. While Von Roll itself lives on as a supplier of industrial and electrical components, the ropeway division was acquired by Doppelmayr of Austria in 1994.

Read More

May 27, 2010
Just For Fun, Urban Planning & Design

Canadians Prefer Cars to Sex

According to a recent poll by the World Wildlife Fund, many “Canadians would rather give up junk food, coffee, television and, some of them, sex rather than park their cars.” Read the whole Toronto Star article. I’m not sure Public Transit is willing to accept this. They’re too busy denying that people actually like cars....

Read More

May 19, 2010
Just For Fun

Pigeons Love Public Transit, Too

It’s only 30 seconds. Watch it till the end, trust me.

Read More

May 04, 2010
Just For Fun, Thoughts

If Only . . .

. . . there was a club for urban planners who just happen to be avid skiers. If there were, then this would be the easiest thing in the world.

Read More

Apr 14, 2010
History, Just For Fun, Light Rail & Streetcars, Oddities, San Francisco Streetcars, Uncategorized, Urban Planning & Design

Zombie Streetcars & Transit Bling

I am decidedly against the City of Toronto’s decision to purchase almost 2 billion one-and-a-quarter billion dollars worth of new streetcars/light rail. And my problem with the decision has absolutely nothing to do with my position on CPT. I recognize that CPT is not a technology for all environs and I recognize that streetcar technology has...

Read More

Apr 11, 2010
Just For Fun, Thoughts, Urban Planning & Design

The CableRailGyroCopter

A thought experiment: In the very near future, a global network of engineers, planners, scientists and policy-makers develop the most advanced form of public transit the world’s ever known. It runs solely on renewable resources. It carries tens of thousands of people. It doesn’t stop at intermediary stations. The vehicles themselves are 100% recyclable. It...

Read More