menziesdavid24 wrote:

> ( Now the bit that interests me)

> The 60 year old W class trams, including those on the National Trust

> Heritage list from1990, were withdrawn from service in 2000 but 53 had

> to be returned to service in 2004 to cope with rising traffic. There

> are now complaints about the poor appearance of these trams since the

> paintwork is faded & peeling & the wooden bodies are sometimes in need

> of substantial repairs.

> ERS Journal November 2008 P 210


Hi David,

While it's no doubt true that the W's do relieve the pressure on rolling
stock, that's not my understanding of why they were returned to service.

That was due to public and media pressure on government to ensure that
some green Ws were in service ...as the "iconic" trams that still
feature heavily in tourist promotions. For example:
http://www.melbournetourist.com.au/melbourne%20trams.html
.... some interesting trams on that page!!!

The quote from the journal re-inforces a rumour that I heard to the
effect that major overhauls of the W class trams would be a key feature
of the new contracts.

For details on "poor appearance" you need look no further than our archives.

http://tdu.to/57559.msg/1027_detail_18Jan2008.jpg

--
Mal Rowe in Melbourne