--- InTramsDownUnder@..., "Noel Reed" <noelreed10@...> wrote:
Hi Noel
Thanks for those wonderful descriptions. They reminded me of the indicators on the Central suburban concourse - they had great "steering wheels" to change the display - presumably multi-pole rotary switches! Also the stencil type indicators at Circular Quay, St James and Museum, presumably dating from the completion of the loop in 1956. Curious how they kept (or, presumably, expanded) the "light in front of station name indicates train stops at that station" indicators at Wynyard and Town Hall. I've heard of people misinterpreting those displays by ignoring the significance of whether the light was on or not. I also remember the bulbs were under-run in terms of less than rated voltage (to prolong life) - they glowed amber!
(Slightly OT - it's a bit surprising the "light behind stencil" technology wasn't implemented as a departure board at Sydney station. I always thought they could have "electrified" the old one, like VR did with the clocks above the entrance to Flinders St.)
Interesting about the proposed escalators between platforms 1/2 and 5/6 at Wynyard. These would have been the first and only inter-platform escalators until Wolli Creek (?) or Epping.
Looks like I'll have to change the colours in my "replica of a replica" from white to amber!
>
> Hello Ron,
>
>
>
> I worked in the NSW Railways Signal & Telegraph Branch which was responsible
> for all tramway signalling (about 30 signal boxes) and their communications.
> This included the Wynyard departure indicators as well as the signal box and
> colour light signals in the tunnel.
>
>
>
> The original tram departure indicator (one only) dating from 25/10/32 was
> mounted above the counter of the starters office (located midway between the
> northern stairway from the concourse and the tunnel portals). This first
> indicator had the various destinations illuminated behind stencils which
> were faced with amber glass (similar in principle to the stencil indicators
> as originally at Central Station concourse and on platforms 16 - 23. The
> destination illumination was switched by a bank of toggle switches. The tram
> position indications 'A' -----'E' were mechanically worked by knobs at the
> bottom, 12 on each side of the indicator. These knobs each rotated an
> internal vertical shaft with a hexagonal frame at the top carrying stencils
> with letters 'A' ---'E' plus one blank position., each frame had a lamp in
> the centre to show the appropriate letter through a single aperture
> alongside the destination. (See "North Sydney Lines" #73 p58 & p59).
>
>
>
> In 1950, the original 1932 indicator was replaced by a larger one with
> stencil letters 'A' ---'F' individually switched by rotary electrical
> switches. A second indicator wired in parallel with the one at the starter's
> office was provided near the top of the second stairway from the concourse
> to give better information to commuters using that stairway. Each of these
> indicators had a "Minimum Fare' sign used during peak hours to direct short
> distance passengers to use 'North Sydney Stn' trams which were usually the
> last to depart in a convoy. There were also illuminated 'Pointing Hand'
> signs to show 'Next Trams' for platform 1 or 2 (See "North Sydney Lines" #C5
> p52, p62 ,#84 p64, #85 p65).
>
>
>
> Until 1937 the original indicator possibly had destination 'Northbridge' at
> the top. This was replaced by destination 'East Lindfield' following the
> introduction of a WW2 period bus service across the rebuilt bridge to East
> Lindfield, connecting with the trams at the 'Suspension Bridge' terminus in
> Vale Street Cammeray (North Sydney Lines #138 p87). After the 'Suspension
> Bridge' tramway was closed in 1948, the top positions of the 1950 Wynyard
> indicators were altered to 'Cremorne Jn'.
>
>
>
> The original 1892 suspension bridge was closed in 1937 and rebuilt as a
> concrete arch bridge without provision for a tramway. This new bridge was
> opened in 1939 and it is still commonly known as "Suspension Bridge"
> although some directories refer to it as "Cammeray Bridge"
>
>
>
> During peak hours trams at Wynyard alternately used platforms 1 and 2 for
> arrivals and departures. The signal box in the tunnel was then in use and
> trams would be crossed over by air operated crossovers to or from the
> appropriate platform track. Up to 6 trams could then occupy positions 'A'
> to 'F', respectively at either platform. Several trams sometimes departed in
> convoy at the same time and the remaining trams kept their indicated
> positions at the platform until signalled to depart by the starter's
> whistle. During off peak times, the signal box in the tunnel was not
> attended and all trams arrived at platform 1. After incoming passengers had
> alighted, the tram would cross to platform 2 by a specially provided
> crossover at the southern end. Trams awaiting departure would occupy
> positions 'A', 'B', or 'C' at platform 2 until their departure time.
>
>
>
> Footnote --The Wynyard tramway platforms (1 and 2) had provision for two
> additional stairways (never used) from the concourse corresponding with
> those towards the southern end of platforms 3 and 4 (North Shore Line).
> There was also provision for escalators to connect the lower level railway
> platforms (5 and 6) with the (tram) platforms (1 and 2), by-passing the
> concourse. Evidence of the sloping (never used) escalator shafts can be seen
> at the north and south ends of City Circle platforms 5 and 6.
>
>
>
> The replica indicator in the display at the Museum of Sydney has fluorescent
> illumination but the originals at Wynyard used incandescent lamps with amber
> glass in front of the stencils.
>
>
>
> Noel Reed.
>
> _____
>
> From:TramsDownUnder@... [mailto:TramsDownUnder@yahoogroups.com]
> On Behalf Of Ronald Besdansky (was Ron Best)
> Sent: Monday, 6 July 2009 4:44 PM
> To:TramsDownUnder@...
> Subject: [TramsDownUnder] Wynyard Tram Indicator replica
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> I have written a program to emulate the Wynyard departure indicator, based
> on the replica at the "Shooting Through" exhibition.
>
> http://picasaweb.
> <http://picasaweb.google.com.au/lh/photo/GaUMX926AklncuUHXQuj-A?feat=directl
> ink> google.com.au/lh/photo/GaUMX926AklncuUHXQuj-A?feat=directlink
> I can turn any destination on or off, and change the departure platform &
> letter.
>
> Before I do more work on it, I'd like to know how it was used in practice.
> Did all the trams from a given platform depart together, or were they
> "stacked" in according to their departure time, i.e. first in, last out?
> When the A tram moved out, could it be replaced, even though there were
> still trams at B, C etc? (I'm assuming A is at the departure end).
>
> Does anybody know what the control panel looked like?
>
> Thanks
>