Jan Ford's World

Willenhall, in the West Midlands, was once the centre of the English lock-making industry which exported its products around the world. Al...

I've already described my first flight which gave me the taste for flying and since then I've flown in a variety of aircraft. Tha...

Nikola Tesla (1856-1943) is one of the biggest influences on technical development in the 20th century but he died in poverty and relative...

A copy of the box diagram in its later form Introduction: Spring Vale Sidings Box was on the double-track Stour Valley Line from Wolve...

In the post 'Sedgeley Junction' , I talked about this signal box on the South Stafford Line. My friend Phil is contemplating a model...

The public debut of the maroon Stanier 8F, 8624, took place on Saturday 23-May-2009, as part of a 3-day steam gala at Peak Rail for the B...

"Thank you. This is a rather nice commemorative plaque featuring a Great Western 'Castle' class locomotive. Modelling can be ...

Fourth rail electrification, White City, London Underground Electric railways were introduced towards the end of the 19th century. Elect...

During the Second World War, the 'Big Four' railways were still in existence, but under Government direction. Riddles was seconded...

In March 2009 I visited Egypt to see some of the Nile temples. I'm afraid I didn't manage to travel by rail and only visited one s...

Tuesday 24-Mar-2009 The driver who dropped me at the Kempinski yesterday afternoon suggested I be ready for a 6.30 a.m. hotel pick-up for ...

Monday 23-Mar-2009 I got up at 5.30 a.m. so as to upload some more pictures and take an early buffet breakfast. They start serving at six,...

Sunday 22-Mar-2009 Petra rather captivated me. I got up at five this morning so that I could spend another two and a half hours in the city...

Saturday 21-Mar-2009 When my travel consultant at Wexas, Sindy said "You must go to Petra!", I agreed but I wasn't sure I...

Friday 20-Mar-2009 I slept very well and walk next door to the Obelisk Restaurant for buffet breakfast. With the stone floors and metal-le...

Thursday 19-Mar-2009 It's just 8.00 a.m. as I start to write this: at nine I'm being picked up to head off by road. Some statistic...

Wednesday 18-Mar-2009 After breakfast, I fly to Cairo and then to Amman. Well, the Seti Abu Simbel was quite a success. It's a remarka...

Tuesday 17-Mar-2009 After breakfast, I take a quick walk to look at Aswan railway station and take a few pictures. A railway station is alw...