News & Discussion: Trams

[monotonehell]

The Wikipedia article from where you hotlinked that map has the details:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trams_in_A ... he_network

It wasn't really any particular individuals, it was a decline brought about by competition with buses (which is funny as back then buses were seen as better by the public and trams as undesirable, completely the opposite of most people who post here's attitudes today) and the eventual post WW2 shift toward private motor vehicles and rampant suburbanisation.

[RayRichards]

Any chance of super imposing the rail network during the 50's as well. Think of the the Henley, Finsbury, Northfield lines etc. But I suppose 95% of other towns/cities throughout Australia and the World had the same idea. I must admit, i'd rather drive a FJ Holden to work back then than to sit amongst the winging community on public transport. But thats Ray for ya.

[RayRichards]

Mr BillD.

You Sir, can handle a camera no worries. There would be many a skin mag that would gratefully wish to have your ol' eye squinting about on the lovely bods that are at hand, and take them at their best.

Thank you for your shots

Ray.

[danielphin]

I was under the assumption there were two lines heading to Glenelg? Where one cut slightly into Mile End

[rubberman]

There were two rail lines to Glenelg.

When the Glenelg tram was introduced in 1929, on the route of one of those lines (coming from Victoria Square), the other rail line (From North Tce Rly Stn) was closed.

The other problem was that by 1952 - after the second world war during which there was no money or staff to do maintenance, the existing tramlines were pretty much stuffed (the bridges on the Findon line and the viaduct at Henley were pretty dire, and much of the track was pretty sad) and the trams were aging. So when the cost of rejuvenating the tramway with new track, bridges, power station and vehicles was totted up, a bus conversion seemed pretty much a foregone conclusion. Add to that, you could run buses one-man after the evening peak, whereas trams had to have a conductor or the unions would faint, and you can see why they were doomed.

If the Second WW had not happened and the tracks and vehicles had been replaced to some extent, maybe it might have been different.

Just one more reason for hating Hilter.

[rhino]

you could run buses one-man after the evening peak, whereas trams had to have a conductor or the unions would faint, and you can see why they were doomed.

Is this correct? I don't recall driver-only busses until much later - possibly the 1980s.

[Tonsley213]

Bring it back!

[rubberman]

Hi Rhino,

Yes, the buses that took over from the trams were set up so they could run one man - and they did after about 6pm.

I remember them as far back as the sixties when I used to go to school by bus.

There was a handle by the right of the driver with three positions: Doors closed, all doors open, front door only open.

[jk1237]

just out of curiousity, does anyone know if the Prospect Rd line actually went as far as Kilburn. It definitely went as far as Regency Rd, but I thought it was just a proposal to extend it to Kilburn that never happened. Also the Keswick line via Sturt St/Whitmore Sq went further into Keswick than just the tip of the parklands I thought

[bay transit]

Prospect Trams terminated at Regency Road.Wayville West Trams terminated in the South West Parklands parallel to Greenhill Road(which in those days was one lane in each direction) a few hundred meters east of the Anzac Highway.
No services ran to Keswick

[skyliner]

I was under the assumption there were two lines heading to Glenelg? Where one cut slightly into Mile End

These were PRIVATE steam railways - from Moseley Sq one ran along the beach to Brighton (different company again) - the idea being access to the beach. Lasted two years before nature became too much for effective maintenance.

The metro area seemed very well covered in those days by rail transport.

Can only just remember the trams before 1958 - when all lines were finally pulled up.

SA - STATE ON THE MOVE

[skyliner]

Being set to go to stop 12 almost seems like planned obsolescence with permanent removal as the agenda (with polite deference to the public and tourists till it 'failed'). A real pity - trips to VSQ would give a different story - interesting....

SA - STATE ON THE MOVE

[bay transit]

Looking at the latest report prepared for the Holdfast Bay Council re this shuttle, as previously discussed this service will not be repeated again.Apart from Councils costs and TA requirements it would be prohibtive for the Council as far as costs are concerned to try and continue this seasonal service.
Basically as far as TA are concerned these trams(only 2 are in any sort of working order and are now stored in the open at the upgraded Glengowrie Depot))have completed their working life,they do not meet Disability Access standards,and TA are not the least bit interested in keeping them going,nor are they interested in keeping them.
The Council will consider erecting an enclosed area at Glenelg for keeping retired H361(which they own).This would be for Tourists to see but would be sealed off and not accessible to the public.

[[Shuz]]

For merge for all tram-related discussions (inc. new rollingstock) excluding construction and future extensions.

[ChillyPhilly]