Tag: trains

Posted on

Steampunk HQ Oamaru

A rusty old train is positioned at an upwards angle in front of an old three floor building. There is a train track on the far right of the image.

Steampunk HQ is an art gallery like no other. In the Victorian precinct of Oamaru in the South Island of New Zealand. It celebrates an industrial take on steampunk, a sub-genre of science fiction. Opened in November 2011 it is located in the former Meeks Grain Elevator Building. In front of the entrance is SPHQ001 steam train. According to the information plaque it was hauled from its underworld hunting grounds by the Field Agents of Steampunk HQ for immediate decommissioning. The 001 was once thought to be a great engine powered by subterranean steam factories; a fearsome contraption of murky legend. It was created by artist Don Paterson for Oamaru’s 2nd Steampunk Art Exhibition in 2010 and reinstated at Steampunk HQ in 2012. This was one of my favourite places I photographed last year. Arriving an hour before closing I took over 500 photographs before being the last person in there that day. I could share dozens of photographs of the weird and wonderful sculptures and contraptions inside.

Posted on

Tramway restaurant in Christchurch

Christchurch Tramway Restaurant moving down a street of colourful buildings. On both sides of the tram are groups of people outside eating, drinking and looking towards the tram.

Exploring New Regent Quarter I enjoyed the old looking architecture. In the city where the majority of the buildings are less than a decade old this was a nice change. Walking down the street felt like I  was in a city somewhere in Europe. People were eating outside and the street is lined with tram tracks rather than cars. At the end of the street I saw the tram coming down Armagh Street towards me. I waited for it to turn the corner into New Regent Street for this photograph. This is no ordinary tram, its the Tramway restaurant. A luxury dining experience that offers curated seasonal dining. Combined with evening sightseeing around central Christchurch.

Posted on

Train leaving Federation Square station

Train leaving Federation Square station

At the end of Russell Street if you cross Flinders Street there is a short road next to The Ian Potter Centre called Russell Street Extension. It doesn’t look worth walking down but it gives this great view west over the train tracks coming out of Flinders Street Railway Station. I would be interested to know where this train was heading, I’d guess and say easterly towards Hawthorn but I could be wrong about that. In the background are the many buildings of the central business district on the north side of Flinders Street. This would be a cool location to practice some light trails at dusk with a number of trains going in and out of central Melbourne. Maybe something for next time.

Posted on

Maglev Train Shanghai

Maglev Train Shanghai

This is the world’s fastest commercial electric train. Taking me from Pudong International Airport to Longyang Road Station in 7 minutes and 20 seconds. This 30.5km (18.9 miles) journey meant this train topped out at a speed of 431km/h (268mph). Certainly the fastest I have ever travelled on land. I tried to take photos from the train but most of my shots were blurred. Travelling on the train it felt like a pretty normal high-speed train. Apart from when it banked around corners and the loud noise when another train going in the opposite direction blasted past.