Archive for October, 2017

Travelodge ‘tri-arc’ hotels around the world

Large corporations work hard to present a consistent brand to customers, and one of the ways they do this is with architecture. Back in the 1970s Travelodge did just this, building dozens of identical hotel towers all over the world.

Remembering ‘Food Plus’ convenience stores

There was once a time in Australia restrictive trading laws saw supermarkets open limited hours, and petrol stations only sold car parts. This changed in the 1970s with the introduction of the first convenience stores, one of which was called ‘Food Plus’.

Photos from ten years ago: October 2007

Another instalment in my photos from ten years ago series – this time it is October 2007. We start at Southern Cross Station. When initially completed the concourses at the station were wide open spaces, unadulterated by congestion causing commercial outlets. A more positive change occurred at Flinders Street Station, where the aging CRT next […]

Metro Trains Melbourne, two derailments, and rail lubrication

This is the story of Metro Trains Melbourne, two derailed trains, and the role rail lubrication plays in keeping trains running. The story starts on February 6, 2016 when a citybound X’Trapolis train came off the tracks at Rushall station. A metro train has derailed at Fitzroy North. @SebCostello9 is LIVE at the scene in […]

V/Line overcomplicate the toilet door

Doors are a simple thing, having existed for hundreds of years. So how did V/Line manage to overcomplicate a door so much, that a three step instruction manual and regular audio announcements were required?

'Ensure your privacy' signage inside the disabled toilet onboard a VLocity train