Re: An idea of mine - express trams

["James C." <james_ccj@optusnet.com.au>]

> I then came up with a solution - on the busier tram routes, build three
> tracks along the route instead of two. The track in the centre can be set
> up for bi-directional running for the sole purpose of express running
> during the peak hours. It might not work on the lines which travel along
> fairly narrow streets (such as many of the south-eastern routes in
> Melbourne), but it might work on routes along wide boulevards, such as St.
> Kilda Road and Royal Parade and Victoria Parade.

You need signals to tell the trams on the oppsite direction that there's
something coming their way.


> Has any tramway system in the world ever tried this concept of express
> running? Has express running or skip-stop running ever been tried in
> Australia?

Yes, on St Kilda road. When a tram is running late or very full and you try
to held the tram , the driver would just
point to his back and go right through without stopping. :-)


Cheers
James