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