Mal,

Firstly, thanks for posting such a magnificent photo. Much
appreciated!

As to your question, I think what's missing from the grip car is the
additional

two-bar 'cowcatcher' at each end to prevent errant passengers going right
under.

Regards,

Graeme

_____

From:TramsDownUnder@... [mailto:TramsDownUnder@yahoogroups.com]

Sent: Monday, 27 March 2017 4:04 PM
To:TramsDownUnder@...
Subject: Re: [TramsDownUnder] Portland today ... and a puzzle for you! [1
Attachment]

On 27/03/2017 3:38 PM, Graham Hockingpf4366@... [TramsDownUnder]
wrote:

It's not a 'fake' but a genuine but highly modified cable car grip, with a
small diesel engine driving an hydraulic pump. There are a number of trailer
cars all rebuilt in their own workshops and a strong group of volunteers who
work on and operate the line. (under the aegis of the local council I think)
.. It is standard gauge and the track was originally laid by a Puffing Billy
work group which travelled down to western Victoria expressly for that
purpose.(correction needed?)

Hi Graham,

One minor correction.
The two grip cars are reproductions - not old grip cars refurbished.

While there were a lot of cable trailers that survived, grip cars are much
more rare and as far as I know the only genuine survivors are with Melbourne
Museum, TMSV and Hawthorn Depot (on loan from TMSV).

Sydney Tram Museum are close to completing a replica Melbourne grip - using
many genuine parts.
It is not a restoration as such.

Here's an early pic of a Melbourne grip car - Australia's first low floor
tram.
http://tdu.to/Collins-atSpring_Lindt.jpg

Now the puzzle:
Who can tell me what's missing from this car?
The missing items were fitted to all grips quite early in the operation of
the Melbourne cable trams.

Mal Rowe - knowing that the answer is easy if you have been paying attention
to discussion here