Just another perfectly reasonable morning commute through Parallel Steampunk London.

Steam-powered buses hiss down cobbled lanes, conductors look alarmingly composed, and no one can quite remember where the fog ends and the timetable begins.

Fuelled by tea. Guided by fog.

A big thanks to David Radlett for suggesting the bus.

Facebook 7th August 2025.

A sepia-toned steampunk illustration showing a stern-faced conductor in a peaked cap standing beside a steam-powered bus on a cobbled street. The bus driver wears goggles, and a tall smokestack on the bus releases steam into the foggy, Victorian-style cityscape. The slogan "Fuelled by tea. Guided by fog." appears above.

Observed anomaly:

The transport system appears fully operational — if mildly whimsical. Steam-powered buses rumble down cobbled lanes. Conductors maintain an air of severe professionalism. Goggles are issued but not explained. Timetables remain theoretical.

The fog appears sentient.

Meme context:

This image was created in response to a reader comment on the post:

“You wake up in a parallel steampunk London — what’s the first thing you notice?”

Their answer:

“The steam-powered buses with conductors. Possibly goats — maybe even the descendants of our late pet pygmy goats, Patsy, Purdy and Edgar.”

We opted to explore a slightly more conventional version of that reality. Goats may yet arrive.

The slogan “Fuelled by tea. Guided by fog.” nods to two essential British exports: determination and utter confusion. It’s a wry summary of steampunk logistics — where the engine may sputter, but the vibe stays impeccable.