Oliver Blanthorn
@bovine3dom.bsky.social
Reposted by Oliver Blanthorn
This www.lesechos.fr/industrie-se... - found via @pglux.bsky.social - is ridiculous
France *gold plated* EU law about handling asbestos, banning sale of trains with it (everyone else: you need a plan to handle it. It's in fire protection, mostly), and now 🥁 this is a reason AGAINST liberalisation!
France *gold plated* EU law about handling asbestos, banning sale of trains with it (everyone else: you need a plan to handle it. It's in fire protection, mostly), and now 🥁 this is a reason AGAINST liberalisation!
December 7, 2025 at 5:02 PM
This www.lesechos.fr/industrie-se... - found via @pglux.bsky.social - is ridiculous
France *gold plated* EU law about handling asbestos, banning sale of trains with it (everyone else: you need a plan to handle it. It's in fire protection, mostly), and now 🥁 this is a reason AGAINST liberalisation!
France *gold plated* EU law about handling asbestos, banning sale of trains with it (everyone else: you need a plan to handle it. It's in fire protection, mostly), and now 🥁 this is a reason AGAINST liberalisation!
Reposted by Oliver Blanthorn
So Deutsche Bahn is finally, after all these years waiting, going TO RUN TRAINS FROM GERMANY TO LONDON! #CrossChannelRail
a man in a suit and tie is standing in a doorway
Alt: Mr Bean in a suit and tie is standing in a doorway looking shocked
media.tenor.com
December 4, 2025 at 5:43 PM
So Deutsche Bahn is finally, after all these years waiting, going TO RUN TRAINS FROM GERMANY TO LONDON! #CrossChannelRail
Reposted by Oliver Blanthorn
BYD EVs made up 40% of all new passenger cars registered in Albania in October 2025, and BEVs generally make up 57%. Albania is not in the European Union, and therefore does not levy punishing tariffs on Chinese imports (same with European leader Norway). cleantechnica.com/2025/11/28/a...
Albania — 57% BEV Share in October! - CleanTechnica
Support CleanTechnica's work through a Substack subscription or on Stripe. 57 BEV Share! In Albania!!! Here’s a super quick special report on the Albanian EV market for you all. Despite being a small ...
cleantechnica.com
December 1, 2025 at 2:45 AM
BYD EVs made up 40% of all new passenger cars registered in Albania in October 2025, and BEVs generally make up 57%. Albania is not in the European Union, and therefore does not levy punishing tariffs on Chinese imports (same with European leader Norway). cleantechnica.com/2025/11/28/a...
Reposted by Oliver Blanthorn
A thread of directed acyclic graphs (DAGs) that look like record covers... because that's EXACTLY what the world needs
1. Huey Lewis and the News: link.springer.com/chapter/10.1...
1. Huey Lewis and the News: link.springer.com/chapter/10.1...
November 28, 2025 at 11:36 AM
A thread of directed acyclic graphs (DAGs) that look like record covers... because that's EXACTLY what the world needs
1. Huey Lewis and the News: link.springer.com/chapter/10.1...
1. Huey Lewis and the News: link.springer.com/chapter/10.1...
Reposted by Oliver Blanthorn
The new scalable British #NationalRail maps are live from today. Very clever idea in many ways, you zoom in or out for more or less detail. Have a play #rail, @transitmap.net and #map fans! railmap.nationalrail.co.uk#/mapview
November 28, 2025 at 11:37 AM
The new scalable British #NationalRail maps are live from today. Very clever idea in many ways, you zoom in or out for more or less detail. Have a play #rail, @transitmap.net and #map fans! railmap.nationalrail.co.uk#/mapview
Reposted by Oliver Blanthorn
I’m going to become the joker
November 26, 2025 at 1:01 PM
I’m going to become the joker
I missed this section of the cross channel rail report on first reading
Which is why *detonating border infrastructure slows them down* - which is what I advocate!
November 25, 2025 at 10:39 PM
I missed this section of the cross channel rail report on first reading
Reposted by Oliver Blanthorn
Im doing a Blog about transit fare cards. Do you have experience with weird edge cases with transit cards?
Things like weid fare capping, being unable to load multiple types of tickets, etc.
Things like weid fare capping, being unable to load multiple types of tickets, etc.
November 25, 2025 at 10:40 AM
Im doing a Blog about transit fare cards. Do you have experience with weird edge cases with transit cards?
Things like weid fare capping, being unable to load multiple types of tickets, etc.
Things like weid fare capping, being unable to load multiple types of tickets, etc.
Reposted by Oliver Blanthorn
The fun thing about having a small team working with you is you can say "hey you're spending this week digging for stolen mobile phones in London flowerbeds, I promise you it's a thing". www.londoncentric.media/p/london-pho...
London's thieves are burying phones in flowerbeds
The police don't take much interest in returning the stolen devices when they're dug up — so London Centric decided to do it.
www.londoncentric.media
October 30, 2025 at 6:41 AM
The fun thing about having a small team working with you is you can say "hey you're spending this week digging for stolen mobile phones in London flowerbeds, I promise you it's a thing". www.londoncentric.media/p/london-pho...
Reposted by Oliver Blanthorn
Trenvista by @miguelbustos.net is in danger of closing as they’re out of money www.trenvista.net/novedades/tr...
I can’t donate as I’m also out of money (and am cutting back travel). But if you can assist, please do. There’s an English version too: www.trenvista.net/en/
I can’t donate as I’m also out of money (and am cutting back travel). But if you can assist, please do. There’s an English version too: www.trenvista.net/en/
Trenvista podría cerrar en pocas semanas
Ayúdanos a evitarlo.
www.trenvista.net
November 6, 2025 at 7:36 AM
Trenvista by @miguelbustos.net is in danger of closing as they’re out of money www.trenvista.net/novedades/tr...
I can’t donate as I’m also out of money (and am cutting back travel). But if you can assist, please do. There’s an English version too: www.trenvista.net/en/
I can’t donate as I’m also out of money (and am cutting back travel). But if you can assist, please do. There’s an English version too: www.trenvista.net/en/
Reposted by Oliver Blanthorn
What to see how I turned thousands of live buses into charts like this? And what it all means for mayors wanting to integrate their public transport systems?
Come to see me talk about all this and more to our event at 1pm: www.centreforcities.org/event/report...
Come to see me talk about all this and more to our event at 1pm: www.centreforcities.org/event/report...
November 4, 2025 at 11:42 AM
What to see how I turned thousands of live buses into charts like this? And what it all means for mayors wanting to integrate their public transport systems?
Come to see me talk about all this and more to our event at 1pm: www.centreforcities.org/event/report...
Come to see me talk about all this and more to our event at 1pm: www.centreforcities.org/event/report...
Reposted by Oliver Blanthorn
New from Bellingcat: “‘Pattern of Extreme Brutality’ — Tear gas, pepper balls among weapons used by federal agents at Illinois immigration protests.”
Read the full investigation:
www.bellingcat.com/news/2025/10...
Read the full investigation:
www.bellingcat.com/news/2025/10...
Tear Gas, Pepper Balls Among Weapons Deployed Against Illinois Protesters
A judge recently issued a restraining order on crowd-control tactics by federal agents in the state, including those involved in Operation Midway Blitz.
www.bellingcat.com
October 31, 2025 at 7:44 PM
New from Bellingcat: “‘Pattern of Extreme Brutality’ — Tear gas, pepper balls among weapons used by federal agents at Illinois immigration protests.”
Read the full investigation:
www.bellingcat.com/news/2025/10...
Read the full investigation:
www.bellingcat.com/news/2025/10...
Reposted by Oliver Blanthorn
17th Nov I will release the report from my #CrossChannelRail work
All the STATIONS that could be served by trains from London, all the OPERATORS, and all the TYPES OF TRAIN, analysed and assessed
Launch event - online & in person in Brussels 👇
crossborderrail.trainsforeurope.eu/projects/cro...
All the STATIONS that could be served by trains from London, all the OPERATORS, and all the TYPES OF TRAIN, analysed and assessed
Launch event - online & in person in Brussels 👇
crossborderrail.trainsforeurope.eu/projects/cro...
#CrossChannelRail Report Launch - 17 November, 12:30 CET (event in Brussels, and online) - #CrossBorderRail
In the research for my #CrossChannelRail project in spring 2025 Jon Worth aimed to examine the future of high speed trains through the Channel Tunnel. That would encompass all the stations in continen...
crossborderrail.trainsforeurope.eu
October 31, 2025 at 6:30 PM
17th Nov I will release the report from my #CrossChannelRail work
All the STATIONS that could be served by trains from London, all the OPERATORS, and all the TYPES OF TRAIN, analysed and assessed
Launch event - online & in person in Brussels 👇
crossborderrail.trainsforeurope.eu/projects/cro...
All the STATIONS that could be served by trains from London, all the OPERATORS, and all the TYPES OF TRAIN, analysed and assessed
Launch event - online & in person in Brussels 👇
crossborderrail.trainsforeurope.eu/projects/cro...
Reposted by Oliver Blanthorn
Excellent. La simplicité des interfaces. Plus facile à dire qu'à faire.
October 30, 2025 at 9:40 PM
Excellent. La simplicité des interfaces. Plus facile à dire qu'à faire.
Reposted by Oliver Blanthorn
Heute Nacht gehts für mich im Nightjet nach Hamburg.
Da der Zug von Hamburg gestern in der Nacht liegengeblieben ist und erst jetzt Basel erreicht hat, hat die SBB zusammengekratzt, was sie noch so gefunden hat.
Erstaunlicherweise wurde es was: Wir fahren mit 1x ÖBB-WL, 2x RDC-Bc und 3x SBB-Pano 😅
Da der Zug von Hamburg gestern in der Nacht liegengeblieben ist und erst jetzt Basel erreicht hat, hat die SBB zusammengekratzt, was sie noch so gefunden hat.
Erstaunlicherweise wurde es was: Wir fahren mit 1x ÖBB-WL, 2x RDC-Bc und 3x SBB-Pano 😅
October 29, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Heute Nacht gehts für mich im Nightjet nach Hamburg.
Da der Zug von Hamburg gestern in der Nacht liegengeblieben ist und erst jetzt Basel erreicht hat, hat die SBB zusammengekratzt, was sie noch so gefunden hat.
Erstaunlicherweise wurde es was: Wir fahren mit 1x ÖBB-WL, 2x RDC-Bc und 3x SBB-Pano 😅
Da der Zug von Hamburg gestern in der Nacht liegengeblieben ist und erst jetzt Basel erreicht hat, hat die SBB zusammengekratzt, was sie noch so gefunden hat.
Erstaunlicherweise wurde es was: Wir fahren mit 1x ÖBB-WL, 2x RDC-Bc und 3x SBB-Pano 😅
Reposted by Oliver Blanthorn
I have written a complete overview of what today's ORR decision on Temple Mills, giving Virgin access there, is likely to mean: inews.co.uk/inews-lifest... #CrossChannelRail
Eurostar will finally have a real, cheaper, rival – but there's a catch
Passengers must wait until at least 2030, but Virgin Trains is a step closer to running cross-Channel services – and it could drive down ticket costs
inews.co.uk
October 30, 2025 at 1:11 PM
I have written a complete overview of what today's ORR decision on Temple Mills, giving Virgin access there, is likely to mean: inews.co.uk/inews-lifest... #CrossChannelRail
Reposted by Oliver Blanthorn
Today's ORR Temple Mills decision, in favour of Virgin Trains, revealed an issue new to me: a distinction between 200m and 202m long trains
Does this matter?
It relates to depots, not stations, and is nothing more than a technical loose end - I think! jonworth.eu/all-about-2-... #CrossChannelRail
Does this matter?
It relates to depots, not stations, and is nothing more than a technical loose end - I think! jonworth.eu/all-about-2-... #CrossChannelRail
All about 2 metres? The importance of the difference between a 200m and a 202m train is scarcely plausible - Jon Worth
When discussing the future of long distance services through the Channel Tunnel, we generally talk of 400 metre long trains composed of one unit, and 2x 200m trains composed of two units coupled toget...
jonworth.eu
October 30, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Today's ORR Temple Mills decision, in favour of Virgin Trains, revealed an issue new to me: a distinction between 200m and 202m long trains
Does this matter?
It relates to depots, not stations, and is nothing more than a technical loose end - I think! jonworth.eu/all-about-2-... #CrossChannelRail
Does this matter?
It relates to depots, not stations, and is nothing more than a technical loose end - I think! jonworth.eu/all-about-2-... #CrossChannelRail
Reposted by Oliver Blanthorn
Let's have a look into the #CrossChannelRail 🔮 and see where all this is heading after today's news Virgin Trains will have access to Temple Mills depot
This thread is speculative - please forgive that - but somehow I am left with a kind of impression we're missing some parts of the jigsaw still
This thread is speculative - please forgive that - but somehow I am left with a kind of impression we're missing some parts of the jigsaw still
October 30, 2025 at 11:25 AM
Let's have a look into the #CrossChannelRail 🔮 and see where all this is heading after today's news Virgin Trains will have access to Temple Mills depot
This thread is speculative - please forgive that - but somehow I am left with a kind of impression we're missing some parts of the jigsaw still
This thread is speculative - please forgive that - but somehow I am left with a kind of impression we're missing some parts of the jigsaw still
@tobiaswatzl.bsky.social Jon wrote about the RSS translator here jonworth.eu/building-a-m...
happy to let you use our instance if it'd be useful to you, especially if you would mostly use it to translate feeds on that page into English because it'll hit our cache :)
happy to let you use our instance if it'd be useful to you, especially if you would mostly use it to translate feeds on that page into English because it'll hit our cache :)
Building a machine-translated railway news aggregator - Jon Worth
One of the side effects of the fracturing of the social media landscape has been it has become harder to follow breaking news that has niche importance. If it’s the big questions of war and peace, sur...
jonworth.eu
October 18, 2025 at 9:58 PM
@tobiaswatzl.bsky.social Jon wrote about the RSS translator here jonworth.eu/building-a-m...
happy to let you use our instance if it'd be useful to you, especially if you would mostly use it to translate feeds on that page into English because it'll hit our cache :)
happy to let you use our instance if it'd be useful to you, especially if you would mostly use it to translate feeds on that page into English because it'll hit our cache :)
Reposted by Oliver Blanthorn
oh it's time to post the Tetris story again. (short version: reporter goes to cover early e-sports, discovers that his wife is, unknowingly, the greatest Tetris player in the world)
archive.boston.com/news/globe/m...
archive.boston.com/news/globe/m...
September 30, 2025 at 4:42 AM
oh it's time to post the Tetris story again. (short version: reporter goes to cover early e-sports, discovers that his wife is, unknowingly, the greatest Tetris player in the world)
archive.boston.com/news/globe/m...
archive.boston.com/news/globe/m...
Reposted by Oliver Blanthorn
store.steampowered.com/app/384630/A...
My older game, Aviary Attorney, is also in the Steam sale. It's approaching its ten year anniversary. As a creator looking back I see a lot of flaws, but it still has some charm!
Tip: refuse to do the first case and you can just play cards with Sparrowson.
My older game, Aviary Attorney, is also in the Steam sale. It's approaching its ten year anniversary. As a creator looking back I see a lot of flaws, but it still has some charm!
Tip: refuse to do the first case and you can just play cards with Sparrowson.
Save 75% on Aviary Attorney on Steam
The hottest bird lawyering game to come out of 1840s France! Join Jayjay Falcon and his witty apprentice, Sparrowson, as the two take on clients, interview witnesses, collect evidence, and deliver jus...
store.steampowered.com
September 29, 2025 at 7:43 PM
store.steampowered.com/app/384630/A...
My older game, Aviary Attorney, is also in the Steam sale. It's approaching its ten year anniversary. As a creator looking back I see a lot of flaws, but it still has some charm!
Tip: refuse to do the first case and you can just play cards with Sparrowson.
My older game, Aviary Attorney, is also in the Steam sale. It's approaching its ten year anniversary. As a creator looking back I see a lot of flaws, but it still has some charm!
Tip: refuse to do the first case and you can just play cards with Sparrowson.
Reposted by Oliver Blanthorn
In need of some good news? Smoking has now been virtually eliminated among school age kids in England!
(Yes, some of this is a shift to vaping but still...)
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68d3ee...
(Yes, some of this is a shift to vaping but still...)
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68d3ee...
September 25, 2025 at 11:42 AM
In need of some good news? Smoking has now been virtually eliminated among school age kids in England!
(Yes, some of this is a shift to vaping but still...)
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68d3ee...
(Yes, some of this is a shift to vaping but still...)
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68d3ee...
Reposted by Oliver Blanthorn
🚨 THIS IS NOT A DRILL 🚨
We’ve just seen this, by creator “Menapian” - a 4,998-piece set of the Great Exhibition (1851) Crystal Palace - complete with a bonus Megalosaurus and Ichthyosaur…
beta.ideas.lego.com/product-idea...
We’ve just seen this, by creator “Menapian” - a 4,998-piece set of the Great Exhibition (1851) Crystal Palace - complete with a bonus Megalosaurus and Ichthyosaur…
beta.ideas.lego.com/product-idea...
September 16, 2025 at 6:57 PM
🚨 THIS IS NOT A DRILL 🚨
We’ve just seen this, by creator “Menapian” - a 4,998-piece set of the Great Exhibition (1851) Crystal Palace - complete with a bonus Megalosaurus and Ichthyosaur…
beta.ideas.lego.com/product-idea...
We’ve just seen this, by creator “Menapian” - a 4,998-piece set of the Great Exhibition (1851) Crystal Palace - complete with a bonus Megalosaurus and Ichthyosaur…
beta.ideas.lego.com/product-idea...
Reposted by Oliver Blanthorn
By popular demand, here is my debut map, made with blood, sweat and tears, when I should have been looking for my missing father, apparently. From the latest Map Men episode - about Twin Towns...
By all means have a play but feel free not to point out the mistakes.
bit.ly/3K3jq6V
By all means have a play but feel free not to point out the mistakes.
bit.ly/3K3jq6V
September 16, 2025 at 11:22 AM
By popular demand, here is my debut map, made with blood, sweat and tears, when I should have been looking for my missing father, apparently. From the latest Map Men episode - about Twin Towns...
By all means have a play but feel free not to point out the mistakes.
bit.ly/3K3jq6V
By all means have a play but feel free not to point out the mistakes.
bit.ly/3K3jq6V
Reposted by Oliver Blanthorn
🇫🇷🇮🇹 Good to see Paris-Lyon route has an almost 50/50 split of SNCF TGV/Trenitalia Frecciarossa 1000 from Dec 14 timetable change.
Has SNCF handed over paths?
Pity SNCF app only shows their trains. In UK all operators have to show all trains & fares.
Has SNCF handed over paths?
Pity SNCF app only shows their trains. In UK all operators have to show all trains & fares.
September 15, 2025 at 6:31 PM
🇫🇷🇮🇹 Good to see Paris-Lyon route has an almost 50/50 split of SNCF TGV/Trenitalia Frecciarossa 1000 from Dec 14 timetable change.
Has SNCF handed over paths?
Pity SNCF app only shows their trains. In UK all operators have to show all trains & fares.
Has SNCF handed over paths?
Pity SNCF app only shows their trains. In UK all operators have to show all trains & fares.