Victor Harbour horse trams
oracletttco
Thursday, May 9, 2002 1:03 PM
On Tuesday 7th I visited The Granite Island horse tramway and renewed
aquaintances with Dennis Bell who used to be the Tramways General
Manager at Bendigo.
Dennis nowdays a very happy horse tram driver and PR man.
Our group had a special charter car and also a special charter horse
named "BILL".
It was very interesting to note the concessions to modernity in the
form of an electronic control (As in garage door opener control) This
is actuated by the driver when the tram departs from the mainland
terminus, by turning on a flashing yellow beacon on the roof of the
tram terminus which is seen by the tram which is already over on the
island, prompting its departure in time to achieve a "flying cross"
on the one passing loop.
Another feature unknown to me was the provision of airbrakes.
These are applied by foot button and used only in emergency situations
such as someone straying into the way of a car on the line, or if
the horse should pull up suddenly to avoid the car running into the
animal.
The driver presumably would be busy with the reins in both hands,
hence the footpedal control.
An aircylinder underneath is charged up before the car enters
service, and it is deemed to be adequate for a whole day.
Two cars were in service and two in the depot near the railway
station.
Car No1 was receiving a heavy overhaul and was partially stripped.
Much corrosion on the platform floors and along the sides were
evident.
To gain access to these areas many wooden panels had to be destroyed
because of the way the cars were built.
The wheelsets had been removed and the roller bearings checked and
bearing plates built up.
All the cars are now in green livery.
Its a place well worth a visit if you are in South Australia.
WGB
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aquaintances with Dennis Bell who used to be the Tramways General
Manager at Bendigo.
Dennis nowdays a very happy horse tram driver and PR man.
Our group had a special charter car and also a special charter horse
named "BILL".
It was very interesting to note the concessions to modernity in the
form of an electronic control (As in garage door opener control) This
is actuated by the driver when the tram departs from the mainland
terminus, by turning on a flashing yellow beacon on the roof of the
tram terminus which is seen by the tram which is already over on the
island, prompting its departure in time to achieve a "flying cross"
on the one passing loop.
Another feature unknown to me was the provision of airbrakes.
These are applied by foot button and used only in emergency situations
such as someone straying into the way of a car on the line, or if
the horse should pull up suddenly to avoid the car running into the
animal.
The driver presumably would be busy with the reins in both hands,
hence the footpedal control.
An aircylinder underneath is charged up before the car enters
service, and it is deemed to be adequate for a whole day.
Two cars were in service and two in the depot near the railway
station.
Car No1 was receiving a heavy overhaul and was partially stripped.
Much corrosion on the platform floors and along the sides were
evident.
To gain access to these areas many wooden panels had to be destroyed
because of the way the cars were built.
The wheelsets had been removed and the roller bearings checked and
bearing plates built up.
All the cars are now in green livery.
Its a place well worth a visit if you are in South Australia.
WGB
------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ---------------------~-->
Buy Stock for $4
and no minimums.
FREE Money 2002.
http://us.click.yahoo.com/orkH0C/n97DAA/Ey.GAA/DiTxlB/TM
---------------------------------------------------------------------~->
Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/