On 06/08/18 15:39, Geoffrey Hansen wrote:
> I read yesterday on social media that Variotram 2107 is being

> preserved by Transport Heritage NSW and looked after by the Sydney

> Tramway Museum.


Andrew Mortiz announced the acquisition in THNSW's August monthly
newsletter to members.

It's been a long slog since TfNSW first accepted the offer from the
museum for ONE Variotram back in November 2016.

2107 was chosen on the recommendation of the tech staff at Pyrmont as it
had the best fault history. It was the last to leave the property for a
reason.

At that time we received a quote for the transport of the tram and it
was many $$$$. Lets just say the number had a lot of digits. At this
point Transport Heritage made overtures to the museum that they would
like to help.
What followed was 2 years of behind the scenes work, apparently
involving legal from TfNSW, Railcorp and THNSW.

Meanwhile TfNSW allowed STM members to visit the tram and undertake
'conservation work'. However we could not remove any parts or spares
from the site. I had to get special permission to remove the technical
manuals for scanning and review. (So a rolling stock change notice could
be prepared for ONRSR).
>

> It would be great to see a Variotram running at Loftus especially to

> the RNP.


We have conducted test of the 28v systems on 2107 and as of a month ago,
I can say all low voltage systems still work. We are unable to test the
health of the high voltage systems. We recharged the batteries in
January to ensure they stayed healthy.

2107 leaks and we attempted (unsuccessfully) to tarp where we thought
the water was getting in. It still gets in. 'damp rid' had been placed
in the tram to try and get to dry out between rain storms. (It got like
a sauna in the tram during the hotter summer months)

 There is water damage. Several seats have been ruined. There is surface
rust on some of the light fittings.

However the tram is very well constructed and we do hope that it will
take power and drive with little to no repair work. Repair would will be
mostly removing graffiti, repair of a broken window and a through clean.

Operation on the RNP line requires extensive overhead work to make it
pantograph compatible. The overhead is not very well centred on the many
curves and while poles put up with the misalignment, a pantograph will not.

>

> I did think there was a connection between the RTM and Valley Heights

> STRPS so I wonder about the prospects of a Variotram at Valley Heights.

>

Valley Heights Locomotive depot is operated as an 'outstation' of the
RTM. STRPS is a separate organisation that shares Valley Heights with
the RTM.

There is only one Sydney Variotram left. 1 to 5 were broken up in
January 2018. The museum was given the opportunity to take parts off
them before they were taken away.

http://www.sydneytramwaymuseum.com.au/tramfans/variotram-spares-arrive/