Re: Re: Cable track and Electric trams
  Kevin Taig


G’day Dean, Mal & All

I would presume yes as this was the new standard as all H crossings would have been the same.

It would have meant moving the track centres across 6 “ each which is roughly the same as 2 rail head widths.

I am surmising that the Flinders St cables were the superior cables due to their heavier traffic flow.
So there would be extra work to alter the Market St cable configuration,in the X-ing installation.
This 6 inch diversion could have been easily accommodated over 1 rail length of 20 odd feet.

The construction of the electric line during the middle of the war was most interesting.
Where did the rail come from? Was this the 100 Tons of rail that H H Bell was promised when he visited UK immediately prior to the war.(1937/38??)
This rail had been on order for several years and would be honoured but no more orders would be taken. (Wanted another 100 tons).

What was the original perceived use of this rail? Was it Bourke Street rail? Any written confirmation?

Looking in “Timelines” I found additional handwritten “copious” notes from The Argus either via Trove or VPRS 7770.

21.12.1944 – New line William St – Q B St – Hanna St to depot finished yesterday (20th.) Test trams today
4.8.45 - New line not opened until manpower avail
21.11.45 - 22 Tram crews required to open new line
31.12.45 – New line may open next year
3.2.46 – Line opened.

Regards
Kevin

From: Tram Gunzle
Sent: Friday, December 14, 2018 2:38 AM
To:tramsdownunder@...
Subject: [TramsDownUnder] Re: Cable track and Electric trams

Good point(s) Kevin.
Now, the pressing question is -


Were the cable tracks in Market Street spread to electric tram centres in 1927 when Flinders Street was 'electrified' (which would have been a significant undertaking), or were the cable track 9' centres retained and the H crossings later relocated (in 1944) to accommodate the then new electric tramline ?

Also, tramway special work was not the only resource in short supply due to the war - man power was at a premium and so the Market Street track did not see service trams in passenger service until 1946.

X=X=X


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