transpress nz
World transport history
Monday, January 6, 2025
NZR 4-8-2 at Otira in twilight, 1966
cars on top of the Paekakariki Hill Road, Wellington, 1950s
A couple of them look to be pre-WW2. It's hard to appreciate now that this was the main road north out of Wellington until circa 1940 and the completion of the Centennial Highway below. It looks like there was quite a bit of mist this day; usually it is quite clear with a good view of Paekakariki on the coastline.
Teschen/Cieszyn/Cesky Tesin railway station
Prior to 1920 it was all part of the Empire known as Austro-Hungary, but with the collapse of the empires at the end of WW1 and the redrawing of maps (not only in Europe), this town was split across the Olsa River with the west side being made Czech and the east side Polish.
This station is now Cesky Tesin and still used. In Cieszyn (pronounced similarly) there is another station which is pretty much the end of a branch line from Bielsko Biala and not substantial. It's about half a mile from the Czech one.
Saturday, January 4, 2025
a drive along Sunset Boulevard, L.A., circa 1952 with 2020s comparisons
It looked better then than it does now.
'1937 Streamliner class' Auckland tram
cars in Laguna Beach, California, circa 1957
The Hotel Laguna is still there, but without the sign on the turret. Approximate present day view -- https://maps.app.goo.gl/w7tZLKW57MeLfb7P8