Thank You

Changes

In December 2022, both websites, "IT'S ONLY BUSES" and "MY POLIGURI COLLECTION", definitely reached the end of their path, with, respectively, more than 191 000 and 23 000 views. However, some of the contents published between 2009 and 2016 have been included, updated and with images in a larger standard format, in its successors, "FUTURE MEMORY | TRANSPORTATION" and "FUTURE MEMORY | TOYS & MODELS".

Both websites, "IT'S ONLY BUSES" and "MY POLIGURI COLLECTION", were born at a time when I thought it was possible to maintain a meeting point for each of my research topics – "IT'S ONLY BUSES", "IT'S ONLY TRAINS", "MY POLIGURI COLLECTION", to mention just a few. After making five of the announced titles available, I understood that I was wrong and in 2016 I defined another concept, "FUTURE MEMORY", online since 2018, with only three research topics, however more comprehensive – "TRANSPORTATION", "TOYS & MODELS" and " VINTAGE AUDIO" ¹, associating them with subtopics, if necessary, as in the case of "MOTORSPORT", a subpage of "TRANSPORTATION".

Some of the titles mentioned have long since fallen by the wayside. But as for the websites "IT'S ONLY BUSES" and "MY POLIGURI COLLECTION", I kept them online at the request of several readers, even without updates since 2016. However, with the evolution of the "FUTURE MEMORY" concept, this situation no longer makes sense. Above all, because this is not the end of the journey. We are just changing vehicles.

Ads

Several readers have praised the fact that my websites are not dominated by ads. In truth, my merit is relative. At one point, all my websites showed ads served by "Google AdSense", in the expectation that some eventual income could amortize the costs resulting from the regular creation of contents. However, after earning 0 cents between 2011 and 2019, I accepted the fact that my sites have no commercial value and closed the "Google AdSense" account. Hence, the absence of ads.

Backgrounds

Some readers have asked why the images (of buses and coaches) are almost always obtained in the same places in Lisboa. The question demands the answer to another question – what drives me to photograph vehicles? Which leads to other questions, always present in my mind – why the vehicle exists, how it is made, who makes it, how it is used and finally, who uses it. Thus, it is clear that my interest is the vehicle and obtaining its photographic record, under the best possible lighting conditions, for research purposes. With rare and justified exceptions, I don't give any importance to the background. I'm not a photographer at all.

Anybody home?

Inevitably, several readers have asked me why there are sometimes long absences between publications. As I've already explained here, unless I'm traveling or doing some modeling, maintenance or restoration work, every other day I methodically post something somewhere. However, I am interested in several topics and the time available is limited. Thus, the absence of activity on a website usually corresponds to activity on another website. Which is easy to confirm.

Favorites 

Several readers have expressed curiosity about my favorite buses and coaches. For various reasons, not necessarily objective, my five favorite buses and coaches are the AEC Regent Mk III with Weymann double-deck body and flared skirts, the Setra S 6 (also the S 8), the Mercedes-Benz O 321 H, the GM PD-4501 "Scenicruiser" and the GM New Look "Fishbowl". From the long list of honorable mentions, I can highlight the Flxible Clipper (along with the Ansair-Flxible Clipper) and the Nielson Diplomata 380.

Most viewed in 2022

In conclusion, at the request of several readers, here are the six publications, three from each website, most viewed in 2022, with brief notes on the corresponding images. Perhaps unexpected, the fact that in both cases the most viewed publications come from themes that are still little explored – in the "FM | T", trains (2.5%) and river vessels (7.6%), and in the "FM | T&M", plastic premium figurines (5.5%).

CP 5601 – Siemens/SOREFAME LE 5600 This is one of those images that exudes happiness. A splendid summer day in the company of good friends, the trip to Mangualde station after lunch to greet the railway workers, some photos and suddenly the arrival of the "Intercidades" Guarda–Lisboa with the CP 5601 "Entroncamento" at its head. Impossible to ask for something better.

DouroAzul "Trafaria Praia" – Hanseatische Werft This image took a few days to achieve, mainly looking for the moment when, on the north bank of the Tejo river, the light fell properly on the tile panels by Joana Vasconcelos. It could have been better – but there was no competence on my part.

Transtejo "Almadense" – Navalria Like the previous one, this image also took a few days to get. After mentally visualizing it, I determined the location to obtain it – difficult to access and, for the desired positioning of the vessel in motion, with a trigger window of just a few seconds. On the first day, the meteorological conditions changed abruptly, the sun hid behind the clouds, the waters became agitated and the rain fell. On the second day, the service was cancelled. On the third day, the gods showed compassion.

Rajá – Colecção Espacial An image that I don't like – difficult to compose and somewhat unbalanced. But most readers seem to like it. For all intents and purposes, this is one of my favorite collections, with excellent quality figurines, later released in other countries. 

Rajá – Ele & Ela Unlike the previous image, this one pleases me – it seems balanced and expressive and those smiles are adorable. A few years ago, I discovered the interesting world of premium figurines made by the Australian Rosenhain & Lipmann. The delirious "Crater Critters", "Astro-Nits" or "Crazy Camel Train" never arrived in Portugal, but in the 1960s and 1970s we had some original series of excellent quality.

Hing Fat – Space Men  Another image that I don't like – difficult to compose in terms of colors and shapes and unbalanced. And a lot of determination to keep some of the figures standing. For many years I looked down on this series, but I've recently discovered its charm and judging by the number of views of this post, I'm not alone.

In conclusion, thanks to all readers, "fellow travelers" from so many parts of the world, for your opinions and research contributions, for your support and loyalty, for your presence. So, let's continue behind the wheel of this "long vehicle". Let there be time – so many miles ahead. ●

Versão portuguesa, aqui.