It is interesting to note that a form of catch point, or derail was
employed on this line to prevent runaways into the harbour. The descending
tram had to stop for the conductor to operate the derail. If it didn't
stop it would be deflected into the gutter.
On the Athol Wharf line, where no specially fitted trams or derails were
used, no less than three trams ended up taking a dip in Sydney Harbour!
I probably wasn't too accurate about British tram braking systems - later
ones used air brakes (such as the Feltham type operated by London Transport
and later sent to Leeds). The magnetic brake was also common - it was a
form of track brake but operated by the motors generating current to power
electro-magnets to hold the brake against the track. It was controlled the
same way as dynamic braking by the motorman.
David Bennetts
Canberra