Re: Re: Melbourne Cable Cars

Bill Bolton wrote:

The statement is basically saying that as domestic electrical power
generating capacity became available and power distribution wires were
laid out into the suburbs, the suburban boundary was pushed further
out from the city core and there was a need for pubic transport from
the newly settled areas of the city. Hence the bit about the cable
cars following (i.e. being installed after) the installation of
domestic power reticulation.

It makes more sense when you explain it that way. Perhaps they could have
said it better than they did.

I agree that they missed the boat (tram?) on the "One of the World's
Greatest Tram Systems" section. I've been meaning to send them a note
suggesting that they add items to their tramway world records list about
being the first and last city outside of SF to have Hallidie-type cable
trams and being the place where the pull curve, a critical part of cable
railway technology was invented.

Their first item in that section refers to "8.5 miles of double-sided
track". Is that a common expression?


Regards,
Joe Thompson
The Cable Car Home Page
http://www.geocities.com/cable_car_guy/cablecar.html
San Francisco Bay Ferryboats (updated 31-Aug-2001)
http://home.mindspring.com/~joethompson1/ferry.html
Park Trains (updated 05-Sep-2001)
http://www.geocities.com/cable_car_guy/html/ptrain.html

Remember this is referring to the late part of the 19th century, when
domestic electricity was something very new, even in cities.

Indeed in the photo on the web site, a domestic power reticulation
pole can be clearly seen to the side of the right of way, immediately
behind the cable car, while a telephone cable pole can be seen on the
other side of the track a bit further down the hill.

I did find the statement on the web about the Dunedin system being
"One of the World's Greatest Tram Systems" a hoot though..... they
completely missed the cities true claims to fame in tramway circles
(relating to the first and last city outside of S.F. to operate street
cable cars and being the site of the invention of the pull curve).

I never managed to get to Dunedin in tram days, but did get a chance
to experience the trolley bus system just before its final demise. I
had some memorable off peak rides on trolley busses which were by then
clearly well past their heyday, and it was often wonder that the were
able to complete the run? The more modern trolley busses only seemed
to appear in peak hours, with the oldest trolley busses holding down
the out of peak runs!

Cheers,

Bill

Bill Bolton
Sydney, Australia




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