On Tuesday, 16 January 2018 10:44 AM, Tony G wrote --

Noel will remember when much of the Sydney suburban rail system had overhead supported by pairs of old rails bolted together and set vertically, with span wires holding up the catenary. Those rail-poles were sort of like Stobie poles, but without the concrete.

.............................

I certainly do remember the OHW poles made from old rails on the Illawarra line near Rockdale. Here is my picture of a team of overhead wiring experts about to set out for Rockdale, using modern tramway battery power many years before the APS system and high viz attire was considered.

https://tdu.to/i/22134 https://tdu.to/i/22134?size=d

Noel Reed. Believing that battery power for trams is not new.

http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthread.php?7321265-Crashed-exotic-sports-and-muscle-cars-post-some-pics-if-you-have-them

https://www..google.com.au/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjarcr36tnYAhWC1IMKHZbcA3oQjRx6BAgAEAY&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbusaustralia.com%2Fforum%2Fviewtopic.php%3Ff%3D6%26t%3D72617&psig=AOvVaw1vTFRd5i-ZES4IXUuMtyPp&ust=1516101104162714

They can also be decorated –

https://www.pinterest.com/keggles5/stobie-pole-artwork/

So why are they not used beyond South Australia ?

Noel Reed. Who recalls the premature demise of the Northbridge tramway caused by unseen rust on the Suspension Bridge cables.

From: mailto:TramsDownUnder@yahoogroups.comTramsDownUnder@... [ mailto:TramsDownUnder@yahoogroups.com mailto:TramsDownUnder@yahoogroups.com]
Sent: Monday, 15 January 2018 11:33 AM
To: mailto:TramsDownUnder@yahoogroups.comTramsDownUnder@...
Subject: Re: [TramsDownUnder] Polar abuse. Adelaide

On 14/01/2018 6:27 PM, Rubberman92 mailto:rubberman92@yahoo.comrubberman92@... [TramsDownUnder] wrote:

Further to the previous pole deflection pic, this one is being used as a temporary tie off for the intersection works. I hope they did their calculations. The overhead is half complete. So, should be ready for tomorrow's opening of the road.

That pole certainly looks to have a bit of a bend already!

For comparison, here's a pic I made in Lyogon St on Saturday..
The pole at left is an original Melbourne Brunswick & Coburg Tramways pole dating from 1916. The MB&CTT poles are more slender than other steel poles in Melbourne of that era and many of them have a bit of a lean.

The new pole beside it is the current standard pole size.

Mal Rowe - whose very minor expertise is recognising the distinctive finials of the various early Melbourne tramway trusts.

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