Re: City Circle 'W' s back in service.

["Ted Gay" <tedgay@bigpond.com>]

"Andy B" <andyx@optushome.com.au> wrote in message
1q8R6.5229$25.18884@news1.eburwd1.vic.optushome.com.au">news:1q8R6.5229$25.18884@news1.eburwd1.vic.optushome.com.au...
> No disagreement there :)
>
> However, I THINK on a B2 class if the safety pedal is lifted, the tram
> glides to a stop.  I could be wrong on this, never driven a B2.
>
> Andy.
>
It would be interesting to know what equipment is being fitted to the
Combino and Citadis trams on order.  I note that Tramlink Croydon, to keep
down costs, ordered the same trams as Köln and have cabs more suited to
right hand drive.

The Variotrams in Sydney are fitted with a deadman's handle on the
controller, to the driver's right, the knob on the end needs to be held
down, releasing it applies full service braking.  Also on the floor is a
pedal, now only used to apply the track brakes on the front bogie, hence it
is called the 1/3 track brake pedal or switch.  Originally this pedal was to
be partly depressed whilst moving but the amount of movement was very small,
slightly to much pressure and on came the 1/3 track brakes.  On the dash
above the door switches and along-side the sand switch is a switch which
operates the full track brakes independently from the controller.  This
switch can be used in very short dabs when descending Pitt Street ramp to
control the tram in slippery conditions.  The speed limit down the ramp is
10km/h, just below that speed the effects of the electric (regen) braking is
lost and the disc brakes will apply at 6km/h.  It is possible in slippery
conditions for the tram to take off on an unwary driver when applying the
brakes for the traffic lights at the bottom.

Have had a couple of very short drives of PCC 1014 at the STM, haven't yet
done the special one day course!  :-)    I find it very strange driving only
using my feet, the interlocking of the doors with the power controller is
used to hold the tram on a slope,  i.e. depress deadman's pedal with left
foot, right foot on the contoller, apply power then close the doors and a
clean take-off is possible. :-)

Ted