Thank You 2023

Obstacles

In editorial terms, 2023 was a year without surprises for the "FUTURE MEMORY | TRANSPORTATION" and "FUTURE MEMORY | TOYS & MODELS" websites. But it is increasingly clear that one life is not enough to share my entire photographic collection. Even so, I have a clear conscience that over the last few years I have tried to share as much as possible – despite almost permanent obstacles, especially on the "FM | T". What requires more time is the research and necessary data verification, sometimes inexplicably made difficult by the sources themselves. As an example, this year I asked Carris and CaetanoBus to help me clarify two questions posed by readers – and I was shocked by the rudeness of their reactions towards me. Something I won't forget. Since 2006, I have tried to show readers around the world the positive evolution of the transportation sector in Portugal – contributing to its proper knowledge and appreciation. There are obstacles that I don't understand.

Vodafone – a blunder

Numerous readers noticed the reduction in the number of posts from September onwards – as well as the indefinite postponement of new videos. As described in the previous paragraph, the time needed to overcome the obstacles is an important limitation to the number of posts possible each month, normally 10 or 12, exceptionally 14 or 16. Unfortunately, this year, since August, the situation has been further aggravated by changing internet provider to the British Vodafone – a blunder, I admit, especially due to the numerous warnings. The mediocrity of the service provided is so significant (as is its impact on routines acquired over the years), that ensuring more than 8 or 10 posts or any type of video upload is now – in 2023 – literally impossible. In fact, the expressive mediocrity of the service provided by the British Vodafone (as well as its evident lack of shame) surprised me – Vodafone is by far and in any context the worst service provider I have encountered in the last twenty years and irrefutable proof of how a terrible choice can compromise our productivity in just a few days. One more obstacle to overcome. 

On sale!

In 2023, several readers alerted me to the presumed sale of my images on a number of sites – and on top of that, with attractive price reductions! In fact, I have nothing to do with this initiative. The complaint has been made and I hope that, in the meantime, search engines, especially "Google", have stopped indexing these results. For all intents and purposes, one must be very ignorant to consider purchasing (copies of) images whose reproduction rights, with or without signature, I have provided free of charge to operators and individuals for use in informative, educational and cultural contexts.

Manufacturers and top speed

Some readers ask me why I never mention the top speed of buses. In buses and coaches, some of the relevant assumptions are power, acceleration, fuel consumption and emissions – not top speed. For all intents and purposes, in Portugal the speed limit for buses is 62 mph on the motorway, reduced to 56 mph when towing a trailer. Another common question is – why do buses and coaches have two manufacturers? Not always. For a number of reasons, operators may prefer to have a chassis bodied by a local or specialist manufacturer. As an example, the Mercedes-Benz OC 500 RF chassis can be found with a wide variety of bodies. Hence, the two manufacturers – one for the chassis and the other for the body. But there are, of course, buses and coaches with just one manufacturer.

Speed limits | Lei n.º 72/2013 

Speed limiters | Decreto-Lei n.º 46/2005 

How many passengers?

Unlike the top speed of buses, I always mention, as long as it is available, the passenger capacity. Even so, and perhaps from a more general perspective, the question remains – how many passengers can fit on a transit bus? In Portugal, most transit buses are about 39.4 feet long and they can usually accommodate 75–85 passengers. Tour buses of the same length can usually accommodate 50–55 seated passengers. Sometimes, a bus may alternatively have more than one capacity, especially when accommodating passengers with reduced mobility or if it belongs to two "classes". In view of operational needs and as long as its characteristics allow, a bus can belong to two "classes". As a note of interest, in Portugal buses are classified as follows. In simple words, "Classe I" buses carry seated passengers and standees, "Classe II" buses carry seated passengers and a small number of standees, and "Classe III" buses carry seated passengers only. Buses with up to 22 passengers are divided in two classes – "Classe A" buses carry seated passengers and standees, while "Classe B" buses carry seated passengers only. 

Classes | Decreto-Lei n.º 58/2004

The big ones 

Another common question, especially from younger readers – which is the biggest bus in the world? If we understand the biggest bus as the longest bus intended for public passenger service, a viable candidate is the AutoTram® Extra Grand with 100.8 ft (up to 256 passengers), closely followed by the Youngman JNP6250G with 80.8 ft (up to 300 passengers). However, they are both, in some way, the road equivalent of a light rail vehicle (evolution of the traditional streetcar) and require appropriate conditions for their operation. In Portugal, the maximum lengths for buses are 44.3 ft for buses with 2 axles, 49.2 ft for buses with 3 or more axles, and 61.5 ft for articulated buses (and tourist trains). The maximum width is 100.4 in.

Maximum dimensions | Decreto-Lei n.º 99/2005 

Future

In conclusion, the unavoidable question – are electric buses, the future? Gasoline and diesel vehicles have been part of my life and I really like them, but it's time to move on. Already today, researchers and manufacturers are able to offer fascinating alternative concepts in propulsion and construction materials and techniques. Autonomous electric vehicles have been proposed since the 19th century, always limited by their autonomy. I think autonomous electric buses are suitable for some operational needs, but in my opinion the future requires other solutions. Without forgetting that, for some of these operational needs, electric buses powered by catenary (trolleybuses) have proven to be in different contexts and over more than a hundred years, the most adequate solution. Unfortunately, I do not have the numbers to understand the reasons that led to the end of trolleybuses in Portugal.

Favorites

Several readers have expressed curiosity about my favorite trains. Assuming that by trains we mean locomotives, for several reasons, not necessarily objective, my five favorite locomotives in steam traction are the K.Bay.Sts.B. S 3/6, the Midland 115 Class, the LNER Class A4, the LMS Coronation Class and the NYC J-3a Super Hudson. Honorable mention goes to another five, the NW J Class, the DR Baureihe 05, the Southern Merchant Navy Class and the kkStB 310. In diesel traction, I highlight the Electro-Motive Division E/F-units, the ALCO RS-2/RS-3, the DB Baureihe V200, the SNCF CC 72000 and the СЖД М62/2M62/3M62. Honorable mention for the СЖД 2ТЭ10У/3ТЭ10У and DB Baureihe V160. In electric traction, I highlight the DB Baureihe 103, the SNCF CC 40100, CC 6500 and BB 9200 and the Pennsylvania Class GG1. Honorable mention for JNRマーク Class EF81.

Most viewed in 2023

In conclusion, the six posts, three from each website, most viewed in 2023, with brief notes on the corresponding images.

Carris 2443 – Caetano City Gold MAN 2KD This is one of those images taken by instinct, almost without looking at the viewfinder and with several flaws. I'm surprised by its popularity. The Caetano City Gold MAN 2KD is an urban bus that is still common in Lisboa. Profusely photographed, I suspect it actually has numerous enthusiasts. By far the most viewed image in 2023.

  

CP 3151 – SOREFAME/Alstom Another image taken by instinct, almost without looking at the viewfinder, on this occasion on my way to the model shop. In fact, it was providential – the text on this series was about to be published and I lacked the "right" image to illustrate it. 

  

Cityrama 3062 – TEMSA Opalin 9 Unlike the previous images, this one required pure determination. For some time, the small TEMSA Opalins were a regular presence in Praça Marquês de Pombal – as well as numerous other vehicles that, at the roundabout, stood in the way and prevented a good image. Once again and after a few days, the gods showed compassion.

  

Rajá – Colecção Espacial For the second year, by far the most viewed image on the FM | T&M. As I mentioned before, it's an image that I don't like – difficult to compose and somewhat unbalanced. But that seems to work with readers. For all intents and purposes, this is one of my favorite collections, with excellent quality figurines, later released in other countries. 

  

Matchbox – 1931 Stutz Bearcat An appealing image, especially due to the model’s color combination. In 2023, I published the first descriptions of models in scales around the 1:43. Predictably, the "Models of Yesteryear" series proposed by Matchbox aroused the interest of its numerous and faithful collectors. 

Rajá – Ele & Ela For the second year among the three most viewed, this is an image that seems balanced and expressive to me – and the 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. 2024 will bring interesting updates to this post. 

 

With regard to sub-pages, the most visited in 2023 were "INSIGHTS" (FM | T), a personal perspective on various topics and "WEBSITES" (FM | T&M), the listing of some of the websites that I visit regularly. On the other hand, I eliminated in 2023 the two "AGENDA" sub-pages. Available to promote and evaluate events, services and products for free, both failed their objective – the number of visitors met expectations, but the content, scarce and almost always published at my insistence, did not justify the continuation.

Thank you 

In conclusion, thank you once again to all readers, from so many parts of the world, for your opinions and research contributions, for your support and loyalty – for your presence. In truth, I must confess, the fatigue behind the wheel of this "long vehicle" caused by the almost permanent obstacles is beginning to make itself felt, whilst other challenges, much less demanding, are looming on the horizon. Still, let’s do a few more miles together. ●

Versão portuguesa, aqui.

Post scriptum

Shortly after publishing this 2023 retrospective, several readers reminded me that I didn't answer a relevant question – when will the promised posts on model railways and old radios start to appear? Unfortunately, as I mentioned in the first paragraph, it becomes increasingly clear that a single life is not enough to share everything we want, especially when we are afflicted by an encyclopedic, compulsively curious and analytical mind. Research requires time, managing time and available resources requires objectivity, the ticking of the clock is merciless and something is inevitably left behind. In a routine context, my mental and editorial discipline essentially works in cycles. In 2023 and for reasons beyond my control, the completion of the last cycles (scheduled for last June) is taking much longer than expected. Even so, a promise is a promise and my determination to materialize the long-awaited posts on model railways and old radios in 2024 is clear. Even if, at this moment, the inability of Vodafone (my new internet provider since August) to provide the contracted (and paid) service, threatens to "kill" part of the posts scheduled for 2024, as already happened in October, November and December 2023. When I chose Vodafone as my internet provider in 2023, I hoped it would help me stay connected to the world – in a positive and productive way. Instead, the British operator reverted my connectivity to the dark ages with download speeds (verified by Ookla Speedtest and ANACOM NetMede) below 1 mbps. Literally, unbelievable.