Re: Z 149 up in smoke

[Dave McL <davemcl@AXE*THISiprolink.co.nz>]

John Duncan McCallum wrote:
> 
> Chris Sinnema wrote:
> >
> > Last Saturday night Z 149 tram from Essendon depot caught fire at the
> > West Marribynong terminus. The cause of the fire appears to be an
> > electrical fault, but not confirmed. The entire tram was gutted in about
> > 5 minutes after the fire broke out. All that is left is the external
> > shell and the bogies. Presently the tram is on 12 road at Essendon
> > depot. Get out the cameras and come on down for some good shots, before
> > they take it away.
> 
> > cs
> 
> I wonder what is in these modern trams to make them burn out so quickly?
> They haven't got any of that fancy explosive insulation in them by any
> chance
> have they?

Several of them have burnt out like this. There is a lot of plastic in
them. And aluminium burns furiously. Not to mention the seats and
composite floors.

It must be said that the Ws have never spontaneously combusted like the
Zs appear to be capable of.


dmcl.