"[UK's] Network Rail is planning to remove traditional lineside colour light signals in favour of in-cab signalling systems along key routes. No steam locomotive in the world had ever been run with in-cab digital signalling – until now"
"Clouston said her team also had to factor in the placement of the screens to avoid being hit by a fireman ­swinging a shovel around..."
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/apr/19/nobody-has-done-this-before-britains-beloved-steam-trains-trial-pioneering-technology
#steam #locomotive #IT #retrofit #UK

Many institutions and companies don’t invest in solar pv because they think it will take decades to recover the cost…but really they are missing a trick.

#Norwich University of the Arts have just had a big install (186 panels) that is projected to pay for itself within just 7 years.

#SolarPV
#SolarPunk
#Retrofit

https://norwichuni.ac.uk/news/the-big-switch-on-norwich-university-of-the-arts-powers-up-with-solar-energy/?

A New Mechanical Keyboard for an Old Computer - As computers age, a dedicated few work towards keeping some of the more interestin... - https://hackaday.com/2025/04/10/a-new-mechanical-keyboard-for-an-old-computer/ #mechanicalkeyboard #retrocomputing #commodore64 #3dprinted #commodore #keyboard #retrofit #pcb

Spent most of the day looking at photos which suggest retrofit designers have little idea of the practicalities of installing internal wall insulation into social housing properties…

- Fitted wall to wall wardrobes
- Ornate coving and cornicing
- Wallpaper
- Skirting boards with beading that perfectly match wooden floorboards
- Radiators on external walls

The idea that tenants will let you strip away all of this and put it back together on a shoestring is for the birds.

#Retrofit
#IWI

I’m all for getting private landlords to increase the the EPC rating of their properties to a ‘C’…that’s where we were supposed to be by 2025, but the #Tories never legislated for it.

Despite the puff of their press release, this is just another #Labour consultation with an ambition to achieve it by 2030.

Less talk, more action needed.

#Retrofit
#Housing
#EnergyEfficiency

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/warm-homes-and-cheaper-bills-as-government-accelerates-plan-for-change

Currently exploring opportunities within the field of domestic #retrofit and #sustainability within #Norfolk and #Suffolk. Would consider remote working as well.

If you are aware of potential project coordinator/administrator roles coming up in these fields please let me know.

Have experience from local council, housing association, private installer and activist perspective.

Particular area of interest and knowledge: retrofit in social housing and low income households.

Please boost!

@RAHU

https://theconversation.com/demolition-should-be-the-last-resort-for-melbournes-44-public-housing-towers-retrofit-and-upgrade-instead-246327

#housingcrisis #landlords #rent
#publichousing #retrofit #upgrade

Loco Home Retrofit is hiring for 3 roles in or near Glasgow: Marketing and community engagement, Technical leadership (retrofit), Innovation Programme Manager. These are senior roles and this is a good company to work for (I am on the board HR committee and the employee handbook is good). Astonishingly competently run. It has real values that it is really accountable to and is a coop owned by its workers and customers. https://locohome.coop/vacancies/ #Job #ClimateCrisis #Retrofit #Glasgow #LocoHome

Really pleased with @Chris_Carus explanation of all the interesting and innovative things that Loco Home Retrofit is doing on this podcast: https://zeroambitions.transistor.fm/170 (warning some fruity language from the hosts, Chris is professional though). Also we are hiring. #ClimateCrisis #HomeRetrofit #Retrofit #Glasgow

I spend about a third of my day typically talking about #ventilation. It’s the least sexy part of #retrofit, but it’s vital if you increase insulation.

I got into this industry because I care about carbon emissions, lowering fuel bills…but also I hate what mould and damp does to people’s homes and lungs.

Condensation sounds less scary than black mould…but that’s what this article is really about preventing!

https://www.theguardian.com/money/2025/jan/28/how-to-reduce-condensation-in-your-home

weird #CNC #retrofit question:
Does there exist a hobbyist darling motion control card/board which will use existing installed linear DRO scales to close the motion control loop?

I'm not sure where even to begin looking.

Pico Pal Puts RP2350 Into Game Boy Color Shell - While modern gaming systems deliver ever more realistic experiences, there’s still... - https://hackaday.com/2025/01/03/pico-pal-puts-rp2350-into-game-boy-color-shell/ #microcontrollers #handheldshacks #nintendohacks #gameboycolor #retrofit #rp2350 #gbc

Alexandra Rd Estate, #Camden #retrofit dilemma:

- Brutalist architecture
- Social housing
- Communal heating
- How to maintain?

Residents want to maintain integrity of original design. The homes are Grade II listed, iconic, used in numerous films. Also they don’t suffer from damp/mould and have flat rate billing.

But the council thinks the heating is costly and difficult to maintain.

https://www.thisislocallondon.co.uk/news/24788161.alexandra-road-estate-council-slammed-radiators-plan/

Holiday Jukebox Gets ESP32, Home Assistant Support - If we’ve learned anything over the years, it’s that the only thing hardware hacker... - https://hackaday.com/2024/12/24/holiday-jukebox-gets-esp32-home-assistant-support/ #microcontrollers #homeautomation #home-assistant #holidayhacks #homehacks #retrofit #esp32