On 27/11/2020 10:53, Matthew Geier wrote:
> ... their electronic drives will have reasonable energy efficiency, but after 40 years, components for those electronic drives would be starting to get some what rare.

>

> The last A2, is 1987, that 33 years since that 'traction package' was new. The B2s used a similar traction system but the switching transistors were updated.

>

The numbers by class that are to be 'life extended' under the current franchise are:

* Z3 101
* A 69
* B 130
* C1 36
* D1 38
* D2 21

The responsibility to source spares is built into the franchise agreement and (for example) for the B class it says:

/"Refurbishment (or replacement), and provision of appropriate
spares pool, of existing Traction Control Units (according to OEM
recommendations) to enable extension of unit operation until 2032."/

The proposed retirement dates of the Z3 and A classes is also listed in the agreement by class.   Z3 were planned to be gone by end of 2023 and A by end of 2025.

One of the biggest jobs is fixing the roof of the D class (Siemens) trams.  The specification is:

* / Remove HVAC unit/
* / Remove roof sandwich and containers/
* / Repair corrosion and incorporate modification/
* / Repaint/recoat then reseal and refit sandwiches, containers and
HVAC unit./

All of this is information is drawn from the franchise documents which are publicly available at https://www.tenders.vic.gov.au/contract/view?id=63990 .

I expect that some details will be changed - especially if more new trams roll out in the near future.

Work is due to start soon on building extra storage at Brunswick depot, but they already have enough space for the trams they currently need.  I expect that some routes will be swapped around, giving more tables to Brunswick.

Mal Rowe - expecting East Preston to be busy for quite a few years