COM: Glenelg Tramline Upgrade

[BillD]

Regarding the test trams Sunday night: My friend Rod was wondering whether the first tram will be an H as they are more tolerant of low voltages.

An H would present a decent electrical load but could slowly leave the vicinity if things became a bit droopy due to unforseen issues.

The Flexity's need for a more stable supply was said to be the reason for extra feeders and better earth bonding along the system.
Bill

[Will409]

More news off railpage. At the present time, it looks as if it will be a Flexi running first but fear not, a coupled H set will also be on hand tonight. The trams are going to be crawling along tonight because of the aformentioned power supply not being quite ready.

[Norman]

Any hints on the time?

[Tom]

104 made the first trip down to City West at walking pace with no drama's and then returned to Victoria Square. 104 then backshunted at the points in vic sq and returned to Rundle Mall to test the cross over with no drama's and returned.

The H set then made their first run down the line with the doors hitting a 40km/h road sign but no damage was done. It then proceeded to City West although when it turned into North Tce. The Cowcatcher hit the Traffic Island. This is were the trial stopped and the trams were reversed back into King William St. although this wasnt the their last problems when the H's were going through the crossovers, the Cowcatchers were striking the sides of the traffic island while the Life Guards were ontop of the curb scraping along. This is why both cars were jolting quite abit. Once the H's had cleared the crossover they then proceeded back to the square at full speed for this section of track.

[BillD]

Here are some shots from the Adelaide extension test runs

Long serving driver David prepares to take Flexity 104 through the ceremonial ribbon.


Flexity 104 turns into North Tce


In the railway station stop (heading West)


Safely in the city-west terminus


Flexity 104 passing Railway Station on return run


H Tyes 367 & 351 await their turn in Victoria Square


H's turn into North Tce, and that's as far as they got. The lifesaving mechanism below the chassis of the tram fouled the median strip.


The H's retreat back into King William St


The H's then cross over to the eastern track before returning to the depot


The sound of the H's accelerating along King William St was music to the ear !

Bill

[rhino]

Excellent photos Bill, and thanks for the info too, Tom

[Ho Really]

Thanks for your 'reportage' BillD.

Cheers

[SRW]

An article from ABC noted the achievement and the problems with the H-class:

Trams put on a turn outside Parliament
ABC News Online
The State Government's head of major projects says a trial run of trams on the newly-laid city track in Adelaide has put paid to suggestions that they would not be able to turn the corner from King William Street into North Terrace, outside Parliament House.

Rod Hook says the newer trams had no problems dealing with the bend.

He says there were some minor hiccups with an older style H-class tram during the trial conducted early today.

"One of the trams was a bit lower than the other carriage which was attached to it behind and that just kissed the kerb as it came around into North Terrace," he said.

"We'll make some adjustments and run them again."

Some H-class trams have been kept as a back-up to Adelaide's newer ones.

The extended tram line along King William Street and North Terrace is expected to go into service this month.

Great pictures, all!

[Cruise]

An article from ABC noted the achievement and the problems with the H-class:

Trams put on a turn outside Parliament
ABC News Online
The State Government's head of major projects says a trial run of trams on the newly-laid city track in Adelaide has put paid to suggestions that they would not be able to turn the corner from King William Street into North Terrace, outside Parliament House.

Rod Hook says the newer trams had no problems dealing with the bend.

He says there were some minor hiccups with an older style H-class tram during the trial conducted early today.

"One of the trams was a bit lower than the other carriage which was attached to it behind and that just kissed the kerb as it came around into North Terrace," he said.

"We'll make some adjustments and run them again."

Some H-class trams have been kept as a back-up to Adelaide's newer ones.

The extended tram line along King William Street and North Terrace is expected to go into service this month.

Great pictures, all!

Wow!!! its starting service this month? that was quick!!!

[BillD]

Staff last night said "mid October".

[Will]

Thanks Bill and Tom for your reporting. It is a trully great day for Adelaide . After years of talk and innaction, things are finally getting done. This porject has great symbolism.

[Norman]

I second those calls for thanks. I couldn't make it last night, I was too tired from the weekend activities

[kymbosa]

As normal the whinging party lead by martin is already saying last night was a failure; But Opposition Leader Martin Hamilton Smith said it was not a minor glitch.

"Last night the H-model tram couldn't negotiate the curbing on North Tce and King William St and it hit the concrete," he said.

"They (the State Government) can't get the tram right, they can't get water right, they can't get their transport infrastructure projects along South Rd right, what can they get right." Adelaidenow.com

Problem is, hindmarsh statium, southern expressway and most of the infrasturcture they build wasn't right. This guy is the biggest tool in the shed!!

It's great to see the tramline in operation, can't wait to catch a tram to Unisa. Great pictures ALL!!!

[Will409]

Bloody hell, will he ever shut up! From what I understand, there was only a 2cm difference with the life guards at the front and rear of the H class. That is nothing really to modify. If they were really eagre to get an H running there, they could have all of them modified by the end of the week. The one thing Martin Horseshit doesn't seem to realise is that we successfully had a flexi run the whole line. The type of tram that outnumbers a Flexi by something like 3 to 1 and is the mainstay of the fleet managed to run successfully the whole route. It is only a minor set back and an easily fixed one at that (unlike when 370 fouled the platform at Vic Square and it needed to be rebuilt at the southern end).

[Will409]

Anyway, after that rant, here are my pics from the night. Because of other commitments today, I wasn't able to stay as long as I liked last night so I never got to see the test runs.


King William Street from the northern end of Victoria Square.


Street sweeper clearing the track of grot.


Track at City West.



Last revenue service to Glenelg run by 103 with 104 awaiting clearance into the platform and it's date with destiny.


104 and our ribbon across the track.




H class 367 and 351 at Victoria Square behind 104.


Contact plates to be installed on the line break.





Installation.