Re: OT Busy times at Central - ZRH
  transitclassics

I note comments on the other site about converting Z's by chopping ends off and inserting new centre sections etc, why not do it properly? Pull out the plans for what the last 30 B's were supposed to be (they would have been the C class) and build entirely new bodies (the bodies on the Z's are pretty stuffed, never having had an overhaul) to the 70% low floor design. Re-furbish the trucks and control package (even use the panto!) and you could possibly re-cycle other parts like doors and seating. You would need to add one un-motored truck like one of the E class centre trucks) and have just the one articulation. This would give you a tram, suited for the lighter lines without the need for upgrading power supply and they would cost about half the cost of a new tram, they could be built at Dandenong to keep that workforce in place and be better than trying to make a purse out of a pigs ear by just refurbishing the Z3's and A's.