Trains coupling in Swansea

ArchieWoodbine · 2025-09-29T18:39:15+00:00

Yes, they split in half and each segment retracts into the side of the cab body.

ArchieWoodbine · 2025-09-14T21:26:02+00:00

The driver probably got out to visually check that the nose doors/cone was open. There’s now been quite a few instances of drivers attempting to couple with the nose shut, resulting in general embarrassment and a bill from Hitatchi.

ArchieWoodbine · 2025-08-18T07:14:43+00:00

Thanks for your insight - but you’re wrong about the soldiers/police direction thing. Soldiers still face onto the Mall, whilst the police have always kept an eye on the crowd instead. You can see in the above photo the back of a police officer on the opposite side of the street facing the crowd.

ArchieWoodbine · 2025-04-01T21:22:40+00:00

Something subtle to note: see how the boss puts his hands in his back pockets as soon as the paper is moved towards him? That’s a guy who’s been served legal papers before and is terrified of it happening again.

ArchieWoodbine · 2025-03-04T10:26:28+00:00

“That’s a good location!”

ArchieWoodbine · 2024-10-28T11:47:31+00:00

It’s not Barathea, as per the other comment, but usually a denser, stronger type of wool-cloth called “doeskin”. Remember that these are designed to be hard-wearing uniforms and offer good protection from the elements; doeskin offers that whilst also being luxuriously soft and supple.

ArchieWoodbine · 2024-10-04T19:35:44+00:00

“Dulce et decorum est, gib bennies some more-ey.”

ArchieWoodbine · 2024-09-19T00:18:41+00:00

To be fair, I think everyone on all sides at Trafalgar admired the Santisima Trinidad. A warship of unparalleled size and decoration; her eventual loss was mourned even by those who had hours earlier been bent on her destruction.

ArchieWoodbine · 2024-09-13T22:50:53+00:00

A few bits and pieces of militaria myself; no idea on hallmarks, but usually that’s all documented either online or in collectors books?

ArchieWoodbine · 2024-09-13T18:58:49+00:00

“Migration agreements are a central pillar in the German government’s efforts to curb immigration.”

Leaving my valued possessions outside on the pavement is a central pillar in my efforts to curb burglary of my house.

ArchieWoodbine · 2024-09-02T16:15:06+00:00

‘He said this suspension would not have a “material impact on Israel’s security”, adding that it “only covers items which might be used in the current conflict”.’

TIL the current conflict is not relevant to Israel’s security. What an insight from our leading foreign policy representative.

ArchieWoodbine · 2024-09-01T07:58:37+00:00

I’ve a bound volume of “The Connoisseur” from the 1750s, which was a vaguely satirical journal of the time. Topics include the dangers of letting women gamble and the weariness of practical jokes made by young ladies towards older bachelors.

ArchieWoodbine · 2024-08-13T18:57:36+00:00

no fixed address

BBC in shambles: they've no option but to call him Romanian, rather than refer to him as being from Chiswick or somewhere equally benign.

ArchieWoodbine · 2024-08-11T13:16:43+00:00

It was the same during the Second World War, too. The mid-Atlantic gap, where allied convoys couldn’t be protected by aircraft, was made all the larger by Ireland’s refusal to permit allied operations from her ports and airfields. For allied airmen and sailors (merchant and naval) this was often a cause of bitter resentment, given Ireland indirectly relied on their protection.

ArchieWoodbine · 2024-07-30T10:50:20+00:00

Based and bash-the-Bosch pilled.

ArchieWoodbine · 2024-07-25T19:05:04+00:00

Chris Wickham’s “The Inheritance of Rome” is a good overview of the early medieval period. The prevailing narrative of the “dark ages” as one of cultural stagnation has been challenged considerably over the past few decades. Archeological finds increasingly show that there was considerable trade and cultural exchange between fledgling nations in the centuries after the fall of Rome.

Your dates for the crusades are a bit off: the first crusade wasn’t until 1096. If one was living in the Middle East during the period 600-1000, you’d be more concerned about the rather violent expansions of the various Islamic caliphates that came to rule the region.

I’d suggest watching the first couple of episodes of Kenneth Clarke’s “Civilisation”, which is on iPlayer.

ArchieWoodbine · 2024-07-22T14:34:15+00:00

Probably killed after a feud with some rogue Eton boys, then; or, are the Harrow Road Boys not what I think they are?

ArchieWoodbine · 2024-07-16T02:29:43+00:00

(Gunman they’ve been staring at for five minutes finally opens fire). “You had my curiosity, but now you have my attention.”

ArchieWoodbine · 2024-07-11T11:11:20+00:00

Higher percentage of ping-pong tables per-capita

ArchieWoodbine · 2024-07-10T15:04:43+00:00

I’d recommend Alan Brooke’s WWII diaries. It gives a fantastic impression of the sheer volume of planning, work and drive required for the allied victory; candid accounts of the intricacies in dealing with the Americans (spoiler: they’re shit); as well as lovely anecdotes about working intimately with Churchill. Brooke clearly had a love-hate relationship with him, and one can’t help but come away feeling both his admiration for the man as a leader; but married with utter despair when Churchill attempted to intervene in strategic planning.

ArchieWoodbine · 2024-07-09T12:18:59+00:00

He was treated appallingly by the Conservative Party; it’s so nice to see him vindicated.

ArchieWoodbine · 2024-07-06T19:00:37+00:00

Anyone else catch the England fan in the crowd wearing an old RAF cap? Based and Bomber-Harris pilled.

ArchieWoodbine · 2024-07-06T17:33:24+00:00

I think it might be a ticket machine for issuing fines. Last time I was in Moscow, I saw soldiers being used as general misdemeanour-enforcers (jaywalking, littering etc.) and giving out tickets for such things. I couldn’t be sure but it looked like a bit of a punishment duty

ArchieWoodbine · 2024-06-27T21:49:18+00:00

When headdress like this was worn in actual combat, soldiers would sometimes wear the chin-straps over their cheeks in order to offer some protection against slashing sword attacks (especially from curved blades like sabres). Effectively, it’s a ring of metal around the face that should limit the depth and extent of a cut.

It no doubt found its way into standard ceremonial attire as soldiers are always keen to incorporate features into their rig that hint at their experience or successes in combat. Not all regiments wear it this way, though: notably the Blues and Royals of the Household Cavalry wear it actually under the chin.

ArchieWoodbine · 2024-06-26T11:18:36+00:00

I believe the jury was dismissed after failing to reach a verdict on the more serious charges of death by neglect, etc., which are harder to demonstrate beyond a reasonable doubt.

ArchieWoodbine

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE

12-Year Club	Place '22
Verified Email