Re: Old Timer on Sydney Light Rail

John Wayman (wayman@c031.aone.net.au)
1 Jul 1997 01:32:49 GMT

Carolyn Neumann <neumannc@ozemail.com.au> wrote in article
<33B7B09B.37DA@ozemail.com.au>...
> Rather unique is a polite way of saying over engineered - the use of
> constant tension overhead with ugly counterweights, Manchester style
> oversized support poles and double contact wires (also oversize) for on
> street running is hardly good practice and compares poorly with
> Melbourne's Bourke Street Mall installation.
>

Melbourne is also the victim of this 'over engineering' as well.

Compare the overhead on the East burwood extension from Middleborough Road
to Blackburn Road to that of the first extension, Warrigal Road to
Middleborough Road. The former has heavier staunchion poles, and is
extremely ugly.

The East Burwood line could probably have been built at half the cost, if
the engineers had been brought to account. They seem to equate light rail
to slightly scaled down heavy rail, rather than an upgraded tramway.

The problem probably is compounded by the Commonwealth Government pouring
buckets of money into projects in marginal electorates. 

-- 
Cheers


John Wayman