> > Actually, the PTC tried to do just that with SW6 car 922. Unfortunately, the
> > National Trust found out and persuaded the Government to scrap the project.
> > 922 was to have had new head and tail lights (including stop and turn
> > indicatotrs), dot matrix destination signs, air conditioning, roller bearings,
> > flourescent lighting, and a pantograph. This car is now stored in Newport
> > Workshops along with all the other redundant W series cars.
> John Do you know in what year SW6 922 was modified as you describe?
I can't answer for John, and the time delay with usenet posts means he
might already have replied, but I can tell you that the modifications to
922 were carried out in 1992/93. The proposed rebuilt car was to be
classed a W8. Unfortunately the perpetually interfering National Trust
stopped the upgrade, for 922 and other cars. 922 was dumped at the back
of Preston Workshops for a couple of years afterwards, and then, I
believe, sent to Newport for storage with a couple of hundred other
ancient trams the trust will not allow to be scrapped or sold.
I was amazed on my recent visit to Melbourne to see that none of the
ancient Ws the trust has forced the government to keep in service even
has fluorescent lights -- features fitted to Brisbane trams 40 years ago.
At least a few of them had been retro-fitted with heaters. But the
lighting? For god's sake.
How does the "National Trust" get away with this? New Zealand would
abolish such a backward organisation.
David McLoughlin
Auckland New Zealand