Re: Heritage trams on Metro Light Rail system?

["David Bennetts" <davibenn@ozemail.com.au>]

"Matthew Geier" <matthew@mail.usyd.edu.au> wrote in message
9cb5ph$abp$1@spacebar.ucc.usyd.edu.au">news:9cb5ph$abp$1@spacebar.ucc.usyd.edu.au...
> In article <nJKF6.883$c01.27713@ozemail.com.au>,
>
>  The R class bodies that the tram museum have stored pending 'possible
> heritage use in the CBD' have no running gear or controllers. I expect
that
> if the idea ever comes to pass, the Rs will be fitted with compatable 750v
> controlers (possibly modern chopper gear) and  pans. Possibly not modern
pans,
> but they will need pans to get to the depot. Something like the german bow
> pan that 134s used when it scrubbed the line. Looks old, even if not
> 'authentic'.

Yes, there's more than one way to do the job.  If they wanted to go the
whole way, could have completely new bogies and electrical equipment - just
as the Riverfront Streetcar did with their replica cars in New Orleans
(except that the replicas use trolley poles).  This would be fairly costly,
especially if the cars weren't to run often.  Much cheaper to use
refurbished ex W class equipment, though I don't know how you reduce voltage
from 750 to 600, they did it with 134s so must be feasible.

Would prefer that they didn't use pantographs, they don't look right on an
old tramcar, to me the pantographs on Adelaide's H cars spoil their
otherwise excellent and authentic heritage appearance.  What they did in
Portland, Oregon when they built two replica cars was to equip them with bow
collectors, these are apparently fully compatible with overhead for
pantograph and don't detract from the appearance of the cars themselves.

regards

David Bennetts



Regards

David Bennetts