Re: Re: Getting a vintage tram system going in Melbourne

Actually, acceleration is quite important so you can get out into the
intersection before the light turns red.

Good point I hadn't thought of!

The main advantage of a track brake, whether it be mechanical (like cable
cars) or electromagnetic is that it increases the contact area and that
increased area is made up of a higher friction coefficient surface (in the
case of a pine block track brake a la cable trams, they can get slick in the
wet when they absorb water so then need sand under them to work effectively.
They actually can cause the wheels to skid because they take some of the
tram's weight off them.).

But this only applies to emergency braking doesn't it? My understanding was
(probably showing my ignorance here - always a dangerous thing in some
circles) that track brakes on modern cars were only applied in an emergency
as the braking is rather good and therefore significantly uncomfortable for
commuters when it is used...

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