ffutures | Another Automaton

This is yet another automaton, The Fosdyke-Chatterton Mk 2 Automaton Porter. Powered by compressed air from an internal tank and deployed at main stations by the London and North-Eastern Railway. Its most distinctive features are the LNER livery, some very florid decorative metalwork, and "coin in the slot" activation; where other automaton porters wait for tips after carrying luggage, the Mk 2 must be given a penny before moving, and an additional penny per 100 yards the luggage is carried. This has led to numerous "spending a penny" lavatorial jokes. It is designed to defend itself if it is vandalised or there is any attempt to steal it, and there have been several incidents of hooligans tricking two porters into fighting.

All comments gratefully received.

Image replaced with a much better one Sunday AM