I assumed the X1s and X2s had radial trucks because of the wheelbase. I reckon both those types of car would have been popular on winter nights in Ballarat and Bendigo

Tony G.

> On 25 Jul 2017, at 7:53 am, Mal Rowemal.rowe@... [TramsDownUnder] TramsDownUnder@...> wrote:

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> On 24/07/2017 9:59 PM, Tony Gallowayarg@... mailto:arg@aapt.net..au [TramsDownUnder] wrote:

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>> They could have bought the X1s and X2s when Footscray closed too, but didn’t, so they really weren’t interested in having Radiax trucks on the property. Note Auckland put a short wheelbase truck under their X1.

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> The X1s and X2s had rigid 4 wheel trucks of a variety of designs - all with long wheelbases.

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> The SEC (in a letter I have a copy of) said that they were not interested in the X1 or X2 trams as they were not 'true Birneys' and thus did not have interchangeable parts.

> I suspect that was just an excuse for not investing in an asset they really wanted to be rid of by 1960 - if not before!

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> The X1s would have been ideal for Ballarat - with easy conversion to offside loading.

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> In the end, the SEC solved their roling stock shortage by swapping a Bendigo bogie car for two Ballarat single truckers.

> The bogie car is now at Sydney Tram Museum as Ballarat 37 and one of the Ballarat cars is being restored as Bendigo 7.

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> Mal Rowe - surprised that Sydney did not re-number Ballarat 37 as Bendigo 1 - given their obvious preference for trams with only 1s in their fleet numbet

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