In it’s original form, it had a ‘Wilson Type’ Self Changing Gears/Leyland (SCG) Transmission closely related to an SCG ‘Hydracyclic’ system used in buses.
Hydracyclic used hydraulic pressure to actuate it’s Brake Bands (to change gears) as opposed to air like the related ‘Pneumocyclic’ transmission.
Unfortunately it was nowhere near as reliable as the Pneumocyclic design and along with the troublesome (in this application) Leyland TL11 engine, significant warranty costs were incurred by the then independent Leyland Bus.
When AB Volvo took Leyland Bus over, they were not immediately aware of these high costs. If they hadn’t stepped in, Leyland Bus would have been toast in 1988…
Incidentally, the Wilson Type Transmission was first used in the WW1 Tank…
To be fair, Japan is even worse. Each JR region has its own website, I think I am signed up with three different ones at the moment, plus another solution that covers Shinkansen between Tokyo and all stops to Hakata. But it doesn’t cover the other Shinkansen lines.
Just booked a 4 journey split ticket and know if there are any delays resulting in me having to travel a deferent route to keep to my schedule, i will have to cancel tickets and buy others at full price. Wallet raping with fees and penalties will ensue.
Well yes, but at least on most of the underground you’d have to vault the barriers and I suspect that most AAers aren’t capable of this level of athleticism.
Some train stations (like my local one) don’t have barriers and then you really do need to tap out. Or get back home, say “Oh COCK” then walk back to the station and tap out.
Has to be one of the best uses of technology out there, the amount of time and hassle it saves, and unlike our mad fare systems on overground trains (outside London) it automatically gives you the cheapest deal available with use.
I understand that in NY they are still buying paper tickets for the subway
No. It’s only useful to register a card and install the app if you use it regularly and want to track spending or correct broken journeys where you forgot to tap out.
Actually, a bus trip costs £1.75, for as far as you stay on the bus.
But also all the buses you get on in an hour still cost £1.75. So if you have to change buses then you don’t pay twice. Or this morning I zoomed up to Crown Point, did my shopping at Lidl, zoomed back down, all for £1.75.
Nerd Alert 
