Latest news with #Kitson
India.com
5 days ago
- India.com
World's Oldest Surviving Steam Engine: Certified By Guinness Book Of Records, Constructed In 1855, Its Name Is...
photoDetails english 2933603 The Indian Railways is one of the largest train networks in the world. It fulfils not just the transportation needs of lakhs of travellers but also offers an unforgettable journey through some of the most scenic landscapes in the country. Some routes stand out for their sheer beauty, like the Kalka-Shimla toy train. The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, a UNESCO World Heritage site, offers breathtaking views of the Eastern Himalayas. These rides make Indian Railways not just a means of travel, but a window into the country's heart. Spanning over thousands of kilometers, the Indian Railway System connects cities to villages and mountainous terrains to coastal towns. But that is not the only thing that the train system in India offers, it is also home to the World's Oldest Working Steam Engine, 'Fairy Queen': Updated:Jul 18, 2025, 02:37 PM IST Name Of Oldest Steam Locomotive In Use 1 / 9 According to a release by the Ministry of Railways, dated February 10, 2017, the 'Fairy Queen' is the oldest surviving functional steam engine in the world and is a great attraction among train enthusiasts. Constructed By... 2 / 9 The locomotive was constructed by Kitson, Thompson, and Hewitson at Leeds, in England, in 1855, and reached Kolkata (Calcutta) in the same year. Fleet Number 3 / 9 The Ministry of Railways release further mentions that upon arrival, it was given fleet number "22" by its owner, the East Indian Railway Company. Between Howrah And Raniganj 4 / 9 The 5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm) gauge locomotive was at first used to haul light mail trains in West Bengal, operating between Howrah and Raniganj, and during the Indian Rebellion of 1857 hauled troop trains. It was later consigned to line construction duty in Bihar, where it served until 1909. First Mainland Journey In... 5 / 9 The locomotive was restored to full working order in 1997, in preparation for its first mainline journey in 88 years and its return to commercial service on 18 July. National Rail Museum 6 / 9 The locomotive was restored and given a special spot in the National Rail Museum at Chanakyapuri, New Delhi. Guinness Book Record 7 / 9 The Fairy Queen was certified by the Guinness Book of Records in 1998 as the world's oldest steam locomotive in regular operation. Fairy Queen's National Tourism Award 8 / 9 The train has also received a National Tourism Award for the most innovative and unique tourism project from the then Prime Minister of India, Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Credits 9 / 9 Photo Credit: All Representational Images/ Freepik
Sydney Morning Herald
07-07-2025
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
The suburbs where home owners can't afford their mortgages now
'What we saw happen, though, in about mid-2023 was arrears start to fall in Western Australia.' Strong growth in WA's property markets compared to other parts of the country in recent years and a stronger economy 'really helped bring arrears down there quite quickly because it has meant that borrowers now could voluntarily sell properties', Kitson added. Tim Lawless, head of research at Cotality (formerly CoreLogic), said the WA market had been strong, with housing values rising a little over 80 per cent in five years. 'It's been extraordinary. So that's really helped to see the marketplace move away from its history of high arrears,' he said. In NSW and Victoria, the arrears trajectory has looked different since lockdowns battered sentiment. Loading This was particularly so in Melbourne where housing values are still 3.9 per cent below peak levels, on Cotality data. No Victorian postcodes featured in S&P's top 10 list in March 2020, and the regional NSW town of Appletree Flat, over 200 kilometres from Sydney, was the only entrant from that state. For the past three quarters, Craigeburn about 30 kilometres from the Melbourne CBD, was the worst performing suburb, with 3.10 per cent of home owners behind on their repayments by March. More than 2 per cent of home owners were behind on their repayments in several suburbs by March. For around 18 months, Kitson said, outer Sydney and Melbourne postcodes had appeared more frequently in S&P's top 10 list. 'This is often where, particularly younger households need to move to be able to afford a property. And that means that debt to income levels in these areas can often be more stretched, making households more vulnerable and sensitive to high interest rates,' she said. 'So, when we saw higher interest rates starting to occur, arrears increased faster in those types of areas.' According to the RBA's April report, loan-arrears increases had been most significant in Melbourne and across regional Victoria, partly reflecting the fact that a 'higher share of borrowers in Victoria have both larger loan sizes and smaller cash buffers than other states'. Loading Victoria had retained the top spot for the nation's highest arrears in March, reaching 1.17 per cent, followed by NSW with 1.07 per cent in arrears, S&P found. WA arrears were 0.86 per cent for the same period. But a shift in arrears levels could be on the horizon, against the backdrop of interest rate cuts, relatively low unemployment and slowing inflation. The Reserve Bank's next interest rates decision is on Tuesday. There was the potential for arrears to reduce nationwide, but at different rates depending on local factors, said Kitson. Cotality's Lawless said that while any fall in arrears rates would take time to appear in data, he 'wouldn't be surprised if we're probably either approaching, or at the peak of arrears rates'. In its April report, the RBA said that 'loan arrears have stabilised across all states, and, except for Victoria, are either around or lower than pre-pandemic levels.'
The Age
07-07-2025
- Business
- The Age
The suburbs where home owners can't afford their mortgages now
'What we saw happen, though, in about mid-2023 was arrears start to fall in Western Australia.' Strong growth in WA's property markets compared to other parts of the country in recent years and a stronger economy 'really helped bring arrears down there quite quickly because it has meant that borrowers now could voluntarily sell properties', Kitson added. Tim Lawless, head of research at Cotality (formerly CoreLogic), said the WA market had been strong, with housing values rising a little over 80 per cent in five years. 'It's been extraordinary. So that's really helped to see the marketplace move away from its history of high arrears,' he said. In NSW and Victoria, the arrears trajectory has looked different since lockdowns battered sentiment. Loading This was particularly so in Melbourne where housing values are still 3.9 per cent below peak levels, on Cotality data. No Victorian postcodes featured in S&P's top 10 list in March 2020, and the regional NSW town of Appletree Flat, over 200 kilometres from Sydney, was the only entrant from that state. For the past three quarters, Craigeburn about 30 kilometres from the Melbourne CBD, was the worst performing suburb, with 3.10 per cent of home owners behind on their repayments by March. More than 2 per cent of home owners were behind on their repayments in several suburbs by March. For around 18 months, Kitson said, outer Sydney and Melbourne postcodes had appeared more frequently in S&P's top 10 list. 'This is often where, particularly younger households need to move to be able to afford a property. And that means that debt to income levels in these areas can often be more stretched, making households more vulnerable and sensitive to high interest rates,' she said. 'So, when we saw higher interest rates starting to occur, arrears increased faster in those types of areas.' According to the RBA's April report, loan-arrears increases had been most significant in Melbourne and across regional Victoria, partly reflecting the fact that a 'higher share of borrowers in Victoria have both larger loan sizes and smaller cash buffers than other states'. Loading Victoria had retained the top spot for the nation's highest arrears in March, reaching 1.17 per cent, followed by NSW with 1.07 per cent in arrears, S&P found. WA arrears were 0.86 per cent for the same period. But a shift in arrears levels could be on the horizon, against the backdrop of interest rate cuts, relatively low unemployment and slowing inflation. The Reserve Bank's next interest rates decision is on Tuesday. There was the potential for arrears to reduce nationwide, but at different rates depending on local factors, said Kitson. Cotality's Lawless said that while any fall in arrears rates would take time to appear in data, he 'wouldn't be surprised if we're probably either approaching, or at the peak of arrears rates'. In its April report, the RBA said that 'loan arrears have stabilised across all states, and, except for Victoria, are either around or lower than pre-pandemic levels.'
Boston Globe
07-05-2025
- Boston Globe
Peek inside the most wish-listed Airbnb in Massachusetts: the ‘Gingerbread House' in the Berkshires
Located in the town of Tyringham (population 427), the Gingerbread House is part of Kitson 'began transforming the property around 1920, turning the existing dairy barn into his art studio and called it Santarella,' the 'Affectionately known as the 'Gingerbread House,' the most striking feature of his studio is its 80-ton, asphalt-shingled storybook roof. He created a cluster of other fairytale-inspired buildings, including a cottage and detached tower, which he used as additional studio space. These projects, along with an enchanting garden with exotic plants and fish, would become Kitson's primary focus for the last 25 years of his life,' it says. According to Massachusetts Historical Commission records, Kitson's artistic vision for his property was not always appreciated by locals, some of whom 'called him a 'bit titched in the head,' for to them his home and studio, inside and out, even his few acres, were plain crazy.' Advertisement The Gingerbread House Tower was named the most wish-listed Airbnb listing in Massachusetts. Airbnb Community But to Airbnb guests, the property can provide a magical escape from day-to-day life. There are four units on the Santarella estate. The owners live in one unit, and the other three are available as Advertisement The It's situated on nearly four acres that includes 'lovely gardens, beautiful lily pond, stone bridges, a running brook, stone bench seating area with 'chiminea', and wooded area,' the Airbnb listing states. Visitors can also explore nearby walking trails. 'The open concept living space filled with plants brings the outdoors inside and offers ample room to relax,' the listing states. One of the bedrooms in the Gingerbread House Tower. Airbnb Community There's a sitting area with a sofa and hanging chair where guests can watch TV or enjoy views of the gardens outside. 'To the right, a bohemian bedchamber with full-sized bed is hidden behind a sliding door,' the listing states. 'Up one step, the 'Tower' section has a suitable kitchenette with microwave, fridge, Ninja Foodi XL, induction cooktop, and a Chemex coffee maker. There is also a cozy eating area with table and chairs. A large bath contains a double vanity, huge walk-in shower and private water closet. Climb the stairs to a loft bedchamber that sleeps two in a queen-sized canopy bed.' The Gingerbread House Tower was named the most wish-listed Airbnb listing in Massachusetts. Airbnb Community Santarella's owners, Joshua Williams and Shaun Mosley, purchased the property in October 2020. Williams was visiting a friend in the Berkshires when first discovered Santarella in the summer of 2020. As soon as he saw the Gingerbread House, 'I immediately fell in love,' Williams said in a phone interview. 'I told my partner Shaun, and he fell in love with it also.' Advertisement Joshua Williams and Shaun Mosley own the property known as Santarella. Joshua Williams and Shaun Mosley Williams said the income they receive from the rentals is used for maintenance and repairs. One of the latest projects has been fixing the 'One third of the roof is done, the front portion facing the road,' he said. They would like to finish the rest of the roof 'in the next year,' he said. Williams said living at Santarella has been 'amazing' and they enjoy having guests experience what they get to see every day. 'We get a lot of visitors,' he said. 'A lot of people driving past and stop very quickly because they're surprised by what they just saw.' Williams said Santarella can provide an escape from reality, something akin to a getaway to a health and wellness retreat, and they're working hard to keep up the structures and surroundings so they can continue to be enjoyed in the years to come. 'It's just so wonderful,' he said, and we're 'glad our passion and hard work is benefitting others.' Emily Sweeney can be reached at
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Yahoo
Petrol station attack 'isolated incident'
An attack at a petrol station which left a customer seriously injured was believed to have been an "isolated incident", police have said. A 32-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and possession of Class A drugs following the assault, which happened at a garage on Bradley Road in Huddersfield just before 13:30 BST on Saturday. The victim, a man in his 40s, remained in a serious but stable condition in hospital after being attacked by an assailant who entered the petrol station's shop with a bladed weapon, a West Yorkshire Police spokesperson said. The suspect remained in custody, they added. Anyone who saw what happened, or who had mobile phone or dashcam footage of the incident, was asked to come forward. Insp Nicholas Kitson said: "We are well aware of the understandable concern this very serious incident has caused in our communities. "I want to reassure residents everything possible is being done to investigate what occurred. "We are limited in what we can say due to an arrest being made, but do want to clarify that, contrary to some rumour we have seen, this attack appears to have been isolated." Insp Kitson added that the assault was not believed to be connected to "any wider criminality or incidents elsewhere". Reassurance patrols in the Bradley Road area were being carried out, police said. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North. West Yorkshire Police
