Re: Melbourne route 70 tram

["Ron BESDANSKY (formerly Ron BEST)" <ronbest@bigpond.com>]

David McLoughlin <davemcl@REMOVEiprolink.co.nz> wrote in message
376E0BBD.277F@REMOVEiprolink.co.nz">news:376E0BBD.277F@REMOVEiprolink.co.nz...
> Ron BESDANSKY (formerly Ron BEST) wrote:
> >
> > Would the connection from the Down line in Swanston St to the Down line
in
> > Batman Ave be the shortest-lived section of permanent track in Melb??
(i.e.
> > excluding temporary deviations such as LaTrobe St when Central stn was
being
> > built etc)
>
>
> And was it ever used in revenue service? Did the night tram use it? The
> regular route 70 never did, did it?
>
Yes, the 99 used it in both directions. The Up curve was used by some route
70 services that were to form Down route 72 services ex the University. I
travelled on one round the curve in 1971. The Down curve was only put in
about 15 years ago, for running services from Swanston St to the sporting
facilities, I think.

(BTW, it was very strange being on the 99 stuck in a traffic jam in Chapel
St at 1.30 a.m.!!!)

(BTW2 - new thread needed here? - were the "east-side" curves at Balaclava
Jn ever used by regular services?)
Rgds

Ron BESDANSKY (formerly Ron BEST)