Need to look closely at the overhead as it encompasses a number of points.

1 - In this example it is using the "catenary" application.  For those lurking uninformed 'experts'  catenary consists of an upper support wire which hangs in a catenary arc between support poles and by means of dropper wires supports the actual conductor wire which delivers power to the pantograph.  Using catenary permits the use of a greater distance between support poles and this is useful where longer spacing is desirable, for example across squares and bridges. Catenary is not the simplest form of overhead, that is the single wire system.

2 - If you compare the cross section of the supports shown it can be seen that they are significantly smaller and thus less visually obtrusive than what is being done on the CSELR.

3 - The upswept support arms are an architectural feature which breaks up the 'brutal engineering' of the boxy style of support on the CSELR.  A big improvement with little if any cost penalty.

4 - This type of support arm can be used on single conductor wire overhead systems and is common in France.

5 - When making observations on photos of overhead it is important to keep in mind that they are often taken with telescopic lenses and this can compress the actual view.

Greg

On 11/02/2019 6:58 am, 'Richard Youl' via TramsDownUnder wrote:
> If you are suggesting that you are having trouble opening that link, I had to try a number of times to get it to work. Maybe this screenshot will circumvent any problems if anyone else is having them.

>

> Just a comment, I don’t think the overhead looks particularly attractive. In its own way it is quite intrusive.

>

> Regards.

>

>  s

>

> On 11 Feb 2019, at 5:39 am, Matthew Geier matthew@... mailto:matthew@sleeper.apana.org.au> wrote:

>

>

> On Mon, 11 Feb 2019 at 05:53, Prescott lenkaprescott@... mailto:lenkaprescott@gmail.com> wrote:

>

> The remaining "light rail" signs should be changed to "tram"

> before opening to bring then into line with the Road Rules.

>

> Slow approach to stops is also characteristic of IWLR.

>

> For Tony G, this photo by Simon Smiler of overhead supports on one

> of the Paris tramways was just posted on the Eurotrams group. What

> a contrast to CSELR!

>

> https://xa.yimg.com/kq/groups/_jWzqIrtftgOJYkP/hr/YrzPUj7tftg221PRaMg5/name/Paris-02-2019-T3b-RosaParks7.jpg

>

>

> "We are sorry, you can not display images hosted by Yahoo! Groups on non Yahoo! Groups pages"

>

> I can see them on my Eurotrams email feed, but not via this link.

>

> The French know how to build lightweight and unobtrusive overhead. Yet they are also responsible for foisting the proprietary and expensive APS on us too.

>