Re: Steepest train/tram line

[petan@ion.com.au (petan@ion.com.au)]

Try your local coal stage but perhaps they do not count!

Cheers
Peter


On 4 Dec 98 21:47:06 GMT, "David Bennetts" <davibenn@pcug.org.au>
wrote:

>
>
>David Martin <d_martin@mountains.net.au> wrote in article
><3667e077.0@news.camtech.net.au>...
>> What is the steepest gradient used on a train or tram line? I refer to
>> conventional adhesion, NOT cog or cable.
>> 
>> David Martin
>> 
>The line at Roaring Camp in the redwood forests near Felton, California
>claims the steepest adhesion grades in North America.  It uses steam locos
>of Heisler and Shay designs, hauling open 'gondola' cars , and incorporates
>a switchback.  I believe it is about 1 in 12 (of course the yanks use a %
>grade, just to be different.  I rode it last year, it's bloody steep and
>most spectacular.  
>
>As for trams, I think you can get about 1 in 8.  The tramways of Lisbon,
>Portugal have very steep grades, I rode a line there a few years back, once
>again a great experience.  Of course, their trams are fitted with track
>brakes which screw down onto the  rails.  The steepest tram line in Sydney
>was that down to Darling St wharf in Balmain, here trams pushed a dummy car
>(connected to a counterweight hauled in a tunnel by cable) down the hill to
>the terminus.  The dummy assisted the tram back up the hill.  Of truly
>conventional lines, the Neutral Bay wharf one was the steepest, running
>from Neutral Bay Junction on Military Road.  Old four wheel cars of the E
>and K classes were retained to work this line, being fitted with track
>brakes, until 1952 when an R1 class with dynamic brakes was used.  The K
>class were then retained as backup cars. 
>
>Regards
>
>David Bennetts
>Canberra
>
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