Re: Block cars

Andy B
Tuesday, August 20, 2002 10:07 AM

Glenhuntly still uses block cars, but the terminology is a little different.

If a tram runs out from the depot to cover a late running or terminated tram, it is called a "Cut In Car". So, the take driver or a standby driver might be asked to cut in with tram 51 at 17.05 from Glenhuntly to Carnegie.

A block car is now really only used on Chapel St on Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays. A driver (usually on overtime) will take out a tram from the depot to Chapel St and run without a fixed schedule. Now, let's assume that Tram 1 is at Commercial Rd heading towards Nth Richmond but should at that time be at High St heading towards St Kilda. Tram 2 is the block car. Fleet will have the 2 drivers swap trams. This way the service still runs, and allows the driver of the first tram to go home more or less on time. Thus tram 2 becomes the block car, and he may swap with Tram 71 later on. Then 71 becomes the block car, and so on.

Chapel St blocks are now becoming rare, as not many people are willing to work the overtime to do it.

--
Andy B - [email protected] http://spatula-city.net/

----- Original Message -----

From: Haby, Steven

To: '[email protected]'

Sent: Tuesday, August 20, 2002 9:08 AM

Subject: [TramsDownUnder] Block cars

Dear all, Last night I was having a chat with a fellow enthusiast Keith Kings about St Kilda / Chapel Street services and the subject of block cars was raised. A block car is a tram that waits at the terminus and is supposed to depart on time if the normal service car is late/delayed. Keith mentioned that due to traffic congestion along Chapel Street block cars were a regular sight at North Richmond in the 80s. Are block cars still used around the system? If so where?

Yahoo! Groups Sponsor

Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.