Re: Traversers
Donald Campbell
Friday, October 19, 2001 11:55 AM
The traverser at the Sydney Tramway Museum, I think, was
obtained from the Clyde Engineering Co. at Granville, a Sydney suburb, when the
works closed down several years ago. It's a multi-gauge affair, with 3'
6", standard and 5' 3" gauge capability. Clyde built engines for anyone
who cared to make an order.
When obtained, the traverser was longer than the site the STM
had prepared and the machine had to be shortened. This was achieved by
shaving both ends and fitting support rollers to the ends, running above a
cement path which stabilises the table when a tram is running on or off.
Once the tram is positioned more or less centrally on the traverser, the
rollers rise slightly to clear their own paths and the traverser traverses
normally on it's own wheels and tracks.
To move the machine, power is provided by a 240v AC
electric motor, chain driven and highly geared to one of the traverser's
axles. A detachable wandering lead supplies the electricity from
an outlet beside the workshop building and control is by a push button
on/off switch. Trams are moved on and off the traverser also by wandering
lead, this being attached to the 600v DC traction supply.
As for other museums that have traversers, I
think there is one in New Zealand at Ferrymead, I think Crich has one, and the
Orange Empire Museum in California, USA has the makings of one but I
don't think it is installed. Would be interested to hear of
more.
Regards,
Don Campbell.
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