Re: Steepest train/tram line

["Garry R. Ford" <garry@merddyn.apana.org.au>]

I'd have to look up for the world, but in Australia Neutral Bay had probably the
longest steepest line with a ruling gradient of 1 in 8,75 is tendered to be
recognised as the steepest in Australia because of needing special trams with
special track brakes.

Unfortunately it wasn't the steepest. Brisbane's Edward Street line (Upper),
which only ever used normal hand brake trams for its entire existence, was 1 in
7 mostly on the final descent from Wickham Terrace to Adelaide Street, with a
short section just before Adelaide Street (filled in after trams removed)
steeper than 1in 6. Would have to check the original gradiants to be more
precise.  We are only talking about three city blocks of course, and the trams
did terminate on the flat with no harbour at the terminus.  Runaways happened
quite often, and at least one tram from Gregory Terrace crossed Queen Street and
almost re-railed itself on the Lower Edward Street line to the Gardens. There
used to be a "Y" terminus opposite Rowes Lane until the late 50's, early
sixties, well after trolley buses had replaced the trams. There was a gap of
about two to three tram lengths without track  before Queens Street was reached.

As an aside, because the line was so steep the original construction order said
track brakes MUST be fitted to the cars. That was one of several aspects the
Brisbane Tramway Company ignored when constructing the tramways. When you have a
pet government, there is nothing to fear until Labor comes to power in 1915 and
nationalises your system in 1917 and refuses to pay for non-complying
infrastructure. 6 years later you finally settle the case in the Privvy Counvil.

Cheers

Garry