Re: [MELB] Trams Stops in Balcava x 12

[usenet.spam@gunzel.net (Michael)]

csinn@netlink.com.au (<Type your name here>) wrote in
<3AD70D41.6EB8@netlink.com.au>: 

>You could say that poles are a pain. Since the W class has not been
>running there have been very few problems associated with the overhead
>wires. The poles are notorious for comming off and taking half the
>overhead wires down with them, particulary when the tram is running at
>speed. From a drivers point of view the sooner they get rid of all pole
>trams the better. Its no fun having to get out in the pouring rain and
>try to swing the front pole around to use because the carbon has come
>off the head of the back pole.

One day I was aboard a comfortable Z1 class tram along St Kilda road, right 
behind a W, when I saw the pole on the W fall sideways. Looked like one of 
the bits of wood holding it upright broke, and the "mechanism" ended up on 
it's side, with the pole hanging off the side of the tram. 

Quite amusing, was to watch the front pole get swung around and used 
instead. Amusing since I'd never seen this practice before. Added to that, 
it looked extremely odd to see a W going up St Kilda road with the front 
pole back to front, collecting power. 

Like many Melbournians, I do miss the W's (:

MK.

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