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Monday, October 22, 2007
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Nilgiri Mountain Railway
The Nilgiri Mountain Railway is a 46 Km long and runs on 1000 mm gauge railway. It connects Mettupalayam to Ooty. The first section of the Nilgiri Railway up to Coonoor was completed in 1899 by the Nilgiri Railway Company and was extended to Ooty in 1903. This Nilgiri rail system is unique as it is the steepest one in Asia. In combination with this gradient there are many curves. To overcome this incline the Nilgiri Railway uses a unique `rack and pinion' rail system. In this system, between the two conventional rails, there are two rack bars, out of step with each other, on which the pinions of the locos and coaches 'climb' in a similar manner as a person climbing a ladder using his feet alternately. It is interesting to note that the engine pushes the train from behind when ascending the hills and is in front while going downhill so that the train does not run amuck. The main incline between Mettupalayam to Coonoor is a continuous gradient where the rack system is used. After Coonoor until Ooty the gradient is relatively eased. Presently all traffic on the rack section is ably handled by the eight X class locomotives built by SLM of Switzerland. These locomotives have four cylinders instead of the conventional two. The main cylinders of the locomotive use high-pressure steam and drive the wheels of the loco while the smaller cylinders using low-pressure steam drive the rack system of the Nilgiri Railway system. Another interesting thing associated with the Nilgiri Railway is that the youngest X class loco is over 50 years old and the oldest is 80 years old!
Main Features: The main feature of this line is the unique rack system and the equally unique and complicated locomotives. To quote from Sir Guilford L. Molesworth’s report of 1886: “The locomotive used for working on the Abt System has two distinct functions: first, that of traction by adhesion as in an ordinary loco and second, that of traction by pinions acting upon the rack bars. The brakes are four in number-two hand brakes action by friction and two acting by preventing the free escape of air from cylinder and thus using compressed air in retarding the progress of the engine. The former are used for shunting whilst the latter for descending steep gradients. One of the hand brakes acts on the tyres of the wheels in the ordinary manner and the second acts on grooved surfaces of the pinion axle but can be used in those places where the rack is laid. Even after hundred years, the brake system on Nilgiri locomotives is as intricate and cumbersome as it was in 1886. The train journey from Chennai to Metupalaiyam then took just over 17 hours and cost Rs 20 first class and another 20 rupees to cover the remaining 33 miles up the steep mountain road to Coonoor and Ootacamund by the ‘Nilgiri carrying Company’s Mail and Express Tonga Service’ while heavy baggage had to be sent bullock cart. The only alternative was to hire a pony and arrange for luggage to be taken up by individual baggage carriers using the shorter but even steeper old road to Coonoor.
The Present Scenario Nowadays, the traveller from Ootacamund leaves Chennai central station on the evening Nilgiri Express at 9.00 p.m. and arrives at Mettupalaiyam at 7.10 am. After a 10 hour journey. There he merely crosses the platform to join the metre gauge train which leaves at 7.25 am. And reaches Udagamandalam at 11.40 a.m. in less than 15 hrs. The Nilgiri Railway (NMR) is a feat of engineering unique in the east. The line is a metre gauge, practically level for the first four and a half miles, to Kallar at the immediate foot of the hills. As soon as the train leaves Kallar, the rack rails appears and the long climb begins. In the next 12 miles to Coonoor, the line rises 4,363 feet curving almost continuously as it clings to the mountainside, crossing lofty viaducts or tunnels, the longest being 317 feet in length. The gradient posts read one in twelve and a half with monotonous consistency. Construction expenses were heavy because in addition to the tunnels, a big bridge over the river Bhawani at the foothills was necessary. Besides this large bridge, 26 other bridges smaller in size, were constructed and heavy expenditure incurred in rock-cutting and blasting.
Extracts from Indian Railway Web Site
Main Features: The main feature of this line is the unique rack system and the equally unique and complicated locomotives. To quote from Sir Guilford L. Molesworth’s report of 1886: “The locomotive used for working on the Abt System has two distinct functions: first, that of traction by adhesion as in an ordinary loco and second, that of traction by pinions acting upon the rack bars. The brakes are four in number-two hand brakes action by friction and two acting by preventing the free escape of air from cylinder and thus using compressed air in retarding the progress of the engine. The former are used for shunting whilst the latter for descending steep gradients. One of the hand brakes acts on the tyres of the wheels in the ordinary manner and the second acts on grooved surfaces of the pinion axle but can be used in those places where the rack is laid. Even after hundred years, the brake system on Nilgiri locomotives is as intricate and cumbersome as it was in 1886. The train journey from Chennai to Metupalaiyam then took just over 17 hours and cost Rs 20 first class and another 20 rupees to cover the remaining 33 miles up the steep mountain road to Coonoor and Ootacamund by the ‘Nilgiri carrying Company’s Mail and Express Tonga Service’ while heavy baggage had to be sent bullock cart. The only alternative was to hire a pony and arrange for luggage to be taken up by individual baggage carriers using the shorter but even steeper old road to Coonoor.
The Present Scenario Nowadays, the traveller from Ootacamund leaves Chennai central station on the evening Nilgiri Express at 9.00 p.m. and arrives at Mettupalaiyam at 7.10 am. After a 10 hour journey. There he merely crosses the platform to join the metre gauge train which leaves at 7.25 am. And reaches Udagamandalam at 11.40 a.m. in less than 15 hrs. The Nilgiri Railway (NMR) is a feat of engineering unique in the east. The line is a metre gauge, practically level for the first four and a half miles, to Kallar at the immediate foot of the hills. As soon as the train leaves Kallar, the rack rails appears and the long climb begins. In the next 12 miles to Coonoor, the line rises 4,363 feet curving almost continuously as it clings to the mountainside, crossing lofty viaducts or tunnels, the longest being 317 feet in length. The gradient posts read one in twelve and a half with monotonous consistency. Construction expenses were heavy because in addition to the tunnels, a big bridge over the river Bhawani at the foothills was necessary. Besides this large bridge, 26 other bridges smaller in size, were constructed and heavy expenditure incurred in rock-cutting and blasting.
Extracts from Indian Railway Web Site
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Tata Passenger vehicles for the average Indian
I just read the presentation by TATA motors about their new passenger vehicle category. I often think why the TATA's are not launching a share auto rickshaw type vihicle with their majestic ACE... reading todays article I feel that they have worked out far then I thought of..
“changing the way the AVERAGE Indian travels” was the title of the launch..
with some pictures of how
Monday, April 16, 2007
Artichoke
I have never heard of this stuff till now. Artichoke is a vegetable or a vegetarian food that
is a native of the Mediterranean region. The artichoke is a perennial plant, member of the thistle group of the sunflower (Compositae) family. In full growth, the plant spreads to cover an area about two meters in diameter and reaches a height of 1-1/2 meters. Its long, arching, deeply serrated leaves give the plant a fern-like appearance.
The so called "vegetable" that is eaten is actually the plant's flower bud. If allowed to flower, the blossoms measure up to 1 foot in diameter and are beautiful violet-blue color. The size of the bud depends upon where it is located on the plant. The largest, as usual are the "terminal" buds produced at the end of the long central stems. Buds become smaller towards the lower stem.
Artichokes are a delicious fit for a healthy lifestyle. One large artichoke contains only 25 calories, no fat, 170 milligrams of potassium and is a good source of vitamin C, folate, magnesium and dietary fiber.
is a native of the Mediterranean region. The artichoke is a perennial plant, member of the thistle group of the sunflower (Compositae) family. In full growth, the plant spreads to cover an area about two meters in diameter and reaches a height of 1-1/2 meters. Its long, arching, deeply serrated leaves give the plant a fern-like appearance. The so called "vegetable" that is eaten is actually the plant's flower bud. If allowed to flower, the blossoms measure up to 1 foot in diameter and are beautiful violet-blue color. The size of the bud depends upon where it is located on the plant. The largest, as usual are the "terminal" buds produced at the end of the long central stems. Buds become smaller towards the lower stem.
Being perennial, they continue to yield for five to ten years. Each cropping cycle is initiated b
y "cutting back" to stimulate development of new shoots. The main propagation or reproduction method for planting artichokes is with root sections attached to basal stem pieces. These cuttings which are often referred to as "stumps," are obtained from well established fields which are scheduled for replanting.
y "cutting back" to stimulate development of new shoots. The main propagation or reproduction method for planting artichokes is with root sections attached to basal stem pieces. These cuttings which are often referred to as "stumps," are obtained from well established fields which are scheduled for replanting. Though artichokes are available throughout the year, peak season is between March and May. The harvesting is done entirely by hand and artichokes on the same plant mature at different times, the same field will be harvested every seven days during peak season and so call for a high labor cost.
Artichokes are a delicious fit for a healthy lifestyle. One large artichoke contains only 25 calories, no fat, 170 milligrams of potassium and is a good source of vitamin C, folate, magnesium and dietary fiber.
Saturday, April 14, 2007
Accurate Volume Sampling System for Biotherapeutics
Millipore Corporation which acquired Novaseptic a couple of years ago, has recently introduced the new NovaSeptum AV (Accurate Volume) system designed to meet the challenges faced in the aseptic and sterile sampling during the production of today’s high-value biotherapeutic products. Taking accurate small volume samples with minimal waste of the valuable drug product improves product yield.
The NovaSeptum AV system is a closed (similar to Novaseptic's other sampling systems which avoid cross contamination), accurate sampling system that enables the production personnel to obtain a small-volume product intermediate samples easily and efficiently avoiding the risk of cross contamination. This device measures to milliliter accuracy and thereby improves the sampling efficiency while reducing potential product waste. This syringe systems allows storing the sample for testing at later stages also.
The closed design of the NovaSeptum AV system ensures that the drug product and sample are always enclosed in a sterile, closed environment. Being a sterile, disposable and closed sampling system, the NovaSeptum AV system eliminates the need to clean and sterilize traditional sample containers and thereby ensures that the product is secure from point of sampling to testing, by avoiding any cross contamination.
The NovaSeptum AV system is a closed (similar to Novaseptic's other sampling systems which avoid cross contamination), accurate sampling system that enables the production personnel to obtain a small-volume product intermediate samples easily and efficiently avoiding the risk of cross contamination. This device measures to milliliter accuracy and thereby improves the sampling efficiency while reducing potential product waste. This syringe systems allows storing the sample for testing at later stages also.
The closed design of the NovaSeptum AV system ensures that the drug product and sample are always enclosed in a sterile, closed environment. Being a sterile, disposable and closed sampling system, the NovaSeptum AV system eliminates the need to clean and sterilize traditional sample containers and thereby ensures that the product is secure from point of sampling to testing, by avoiding any cross contamination.
RFID Technology in Filtration Products
Filtration systems giant Millipore Corporation has recently announced that it is the first company to successfully integrate Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology with filtration products used to manufacture biopharmaceutical drugs. The new RFID capability branded as SMART Technology, will be introduced at the upcoming INTERPHEX(R) 2007 Conference, which is being held April 24-26, 2007 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York. Wait to see what difference Millipore has made!
Just another initiative to improve my reading and hearing ability
Just another initiative to improve my reading and hearing ability
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