Back in the steam tram days Sydney had at least one bad experience with a British tram and great success with a Baldwin (US) steam tram.

Also compare the speed and passenger capability of a Sydney "O", especially in coupled sets with a British 4 wheel (one truck) Double deck car. The Sydney "O" which entered service in 1908 could seat 80 passengers and carry an almost equal number of standees at a speed in excess of 30 mph.

Greg

--- InTramsDownUnder@..., Matthew Geier <matthew@...> wrote:
>

> On 06/07/13 08:51, Brent Efford wrote:

> >

> >

> > Whoa! Before we get too far into this discussion, let's just recognise

> > that "truck" and "bogie" are generally synonymous when referring to

> > swivelling wheel assemblies – it is a matter of usage.

>

> It would appear that in Australia, a tram has 'trucks' but a train has

> 'bogies'.

>

>

> Where this distinction came from, I don't know, but it may be due to the

> early involvement of US manufactures in supply of equipment for our

> early tramways, where as the railways tended to stick more with the

> (Bristish) empire for supply of parts. (And hence terminology).

>

>

> Just how did our tramways end up with all that Brill, then

> Westinghouse and GE kit, when at the time, government agencies were

> obliged to 'buy British'. ?

> Yes we have trams with BTH gear from the 'empire', but the tramways

> seem to have gotten away with using US suppliers for the most part.

>