Re: [Melb] Batchelor says W-class trams to be back asap

["D Lindstrom" <D_Lindstrom@Bigpond.com>]

"D Lindstrom" <D_Lindstrom@Bigpond.com> wrote in message
PnV66.443$65.5183@newsfeeds.bigpond.com">news:PnV66.443$65.5183@newsfeeds.bigpond.com...
>
> "Daniel Bowen" <dbowen@custard.REMOVE.net.au> wrote in message
> lIR66.53033$xW4.423343@news-server.bigpond.net.au">news:lIR66.53033$xW4.423343@news-server.bigpond.net.au...
> > Batchelor says W-class trams to be back asap
> > http://www.theage.com.au/breaking/0101/10/A12744-2001Jan10.html
> >
> >
> > --
> > Daniel Bowen, Melbourne, Australia
> > dbowen@custard.REMOVE.net.au
> > http://www.danielbowen.com/
> >
> >
>   W-class trams will be back
>
> AAP
> Wednesday 10 January 2001, 03:48 PM
>
> W-class trams would be back on Melbourne's tracks when they had been
> repaired and were safe, the Victorian Government said today.
> Transport Minister Peter Batchelor said repairs were being carried out on
> the 70-year-old trams after the braking systems wore out, something
private
> operators claim was not clear when they bought the rolling stock from the
> Kennett government.
> "That's a view the private companies (Swanston Trams and Yarra Trams) have
> put to us, yes," Mr Batchelor told reporters.
> He said that in some cases the companies claimed they did not understand
the
> condition of the original braking systems when they bought the stock.
> "We've put that all to one side, and we make no comment whether that's
true
> or not ... clearly they did buy with their eyes open and they have
> responsibility for maintaining it," Mr Batchelor told reporters.
> He dismissed State Opposition claims today that the W-class trams were
being
> left to rot in rail yards as tourism in the city dropped without them.
> The opposition also claimed city tourism had dropped 25 to 30 per cent
> without the W-class City Circle trams but the government said the service
> was still available on modern trams.
> Mr Batchelor said safety was a priority after a W-class tram had been in a
> serious accident in Seattle where 21 people were injured.
> "The W-class trams are much-loved by Melbourne, we want them back in
> service, but only when they are safe," he said.
> Mr Batchelor said parts were needed from overseas but expected a trial
> W-class tram to run around April but could not give any further return
date.
> "Yes they will come back, I can give you a categorical assurance that
> W-class trams will come back," he said.
>
>
>
Didn't someone say in this group a while ago that the Ws in Seattle had
modified brakes?
DL