Re: STA 381
roy winslow
Wednesday, October 10, 2001 12:25 AM
Adelaide will be keeping their H Cars for a few years yet.
There is currently a program for the complete rebuild of 5 of the cars. The rebuild is arguably the most comprehensive since they were built by Pengelly's in 1929. A mid year edition of Transit Australia had a good article on the details of the rebuild, but I believe it includes:
1. Complete stripping of the body down to the frame and stengthening of the frame. A picture in TA showed one of the trams having had all panels and bulkheads removed with the roof suspended over the frame, so the you can get an ideal that the rebuild is comprehensive.
2. Replacement of steel panels with carbon fibre panels tinted in the absolutely georgeous tuscan that the cars were born with and are bound to die in.
3. Refurshishment of the interiors, including new seating (bye bye to the old red upholstery, but can't remember what it is replaced with).
4. Replacement of the air operated door opening mechanism with 'smart' doors similar to buses (for safety reasons)
5. Refurbishment of the drivers cabs, including air conditioning (but not in the main passenger compartments) and new ergonomic bus like drivers seats
6. Replacement of the old controller system with electronic management, but using the old controller cases, I think it may include chopper control, but can't remember.
7. Reglazing with tinted glass (for those list members in the Northern Hemisphere, the sun can get a tad warm in Adelaide) and sealing of the standee windows so that they no longer open for ventillation.
As you can see, the idea is a comprehensive rebuild that will keep these cars in service indefinately. I do not know how many cars will be eventually rebuilt, but at about $1 million Oz each car, I is reasonable to consider they will only rebuild enough for maintaning basic services, using unrebuilt trams at peak times to complement.
Roy Winslow
Perth, WA
The cars seem effective and mechanically simple. If their performance is
adequate and they are comfortable, and Adelaide people identify with them,
why can't they keep rebuilding them? The basic platform works well,
obviously. I don't really see any real advantage of a Melbourne-type tram
for Adelaide, especially given the need to develop new maintenance skills.
Why would the cost be worth the benefit?
Obviously the situation would be quite different if they were to put a new
line on but otherwise, why bother?
I got the idea that Adelaide people are fond of the existing cars.
Bob Murphy
----- Original Message -----
From: "Bill Bolton" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, October 10, 2001 8:44 AM
Subject: Re: [TramsDownUnder] STA 381
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There is currently a program for the complete rebuild of 5 of the cars. The rebuild is arguably the most comprehensive since they were built by Pengelly's in 1929. A mid year edition of Transit Australia had a good article on the details of the rebuild, but I believe it includes:
1. Complete stripping of the body down to the frame and stengthening of the frame. A picture in TA showed one of the trams having had all panels and bulkheads removed with the roof suspended over the frame, so the you can get an ideal that the rebuild is comprehensive.
2. Replacement of steel panels with carbon fibre panels tinted in the absolutely georgeous tuscan that the cars were born with and are bound to die in.
3. Refurshishment of the interiors, including new seating (bye bye to the old red upholstery, but can't remember what it is replaced with).
4. Replacement of the air operated door opening mechanism with 'smart' doors similar to buses (for safety reasons)
5. Refurbishment of the drivers cabs, including air conditioning (but not in the main passenger compartments) and new ergonomic bus like drivers seats
6. Replacement of the old controller system with electronic management, but using the old controller cases, I think it may include chopper control, but can't remember.
7. Reglazing with tinted glass (for those list members in the Northern Hemisphere, the sun can get a tad warm in Adelaide) and sealing of the standee windows so that they no longer open for ventillation.
As you can see, the idea is a comprehensive rebuild that will keep these cars in service indefinately. I do not know how many cars will be eventually rebuilt, but at about $1 million Oz each car, I is reasonable to consider they will only rebuild enough for maintaning basic services, using unrebuilt trams at peak times to complement.
Roy Winslow
Perth, WA
Bill,[email protected] 10/10/01 07:01AM >>>
The cars seem effective and mechanically simple. If their performance is
adequate and they are comfortable, and Adelaide people identify with them,
why can't they keep rebuilding them? The basic platform works well,
obviously. I don't really see any real advantage of a Melbourne-type tram
for Adelaide, especially given the need to develop new maintenance skills.
Why would the cost be worth the benefit?
Obviously the situation would be quite different if they were to put a new
line on but otherwise, why bother?
I got the idea that Adelaide people are fond of the existing cars.
Bob Murphy
----- Original Message -----
From: "Bill Bolton" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, October 10, 2001 8:44 AM
Subject: Re: [TramsDownUnder] STA 381
On Wed, 10 Oct 2001 06:35:46 +1000, Bob wrote:Nice shot WTF is it?
Its the sole member of the Adelaide H1 class car. No further H1s were
built as by then the decision had been made to abandon everything
except Glenelg. Some parts purchased for H1 class construction were
subsequently used in one of the various H class modernisations.
As far as passenger comfort and technical features are concerned, in
many respects represents the pinacle of pre-Z class Australian tram
design.
Just on the Glenelg line.... it can't survive for ever on rebuilding
70+ year old cars. Something will have to be done about new cars
within the next few years if the line is to have any long term future!Shame it doesn't have PCC trucks under it to give it some legs or
is it a goer?
Performance was about the same as the H cars.
Cheers,
Bill
Bill Bolton
Sydney, Australia
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