This discussion on cable tram grips has interested me.

I can understand that the ‘rope’ could be dropped then later picked up when a cable tram passed the engine house. I understand that there was a ‘kink’ in the track and the conduit slot to guide the incoming ‘rope’ into the jaws of the grip. This would also be necessary at the several Melbourne square crossings where trams on one street had to drop then pick up the rope.

Can someone explain how this dropping and picking

up of the rope with a bottom grip is achieved. I believe that bottom grips are used in San Francisco.

Noel Reed. Researcher of history.

From:TramsDownUnder@... [mailto:TramsDownUnder@yahoogroups.com]
Sent: Wednesday, 24 May 2017 9:55 PM
To:TramsDownUnder@...
Subject: [TramsDownUnder] Re: A puzzle for you ?

Dean,

I can think of two technical differences. First, the track centres were wider, to allow for possible electric tram operation. Second, the rope was initially operated by the St Kilda Road engine house. When the trackwork at Swanston Street was re-arranged in late 1925, due to the conversion of St Kilda Road to electric trams, the rope was then operated by the Fitzroy engine house. In that conversion, the grips of west bound cars swapped from having the rope on the left side to having the rope on the right side. Therefore the pulleys would have needed to reversed.

You could also argue that the track across Swanston Street was the last section of cable track built. It was constructed in late December 1925, 20 months after the the new trackwork west of Swanston Street.

Brian Weedon

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Posted by:brian_weedon@...