BART just recently discovered conical treads: https://www.wheel-rail-seminars.com/archives/2016/rt-papers/RT%2006%20WRI%202016%20BART%20Final.pdf
Bob Nelson
The science of the shape of the wheel ! One thing we don't normally even think about !
It says in that document that SF Muni uses a cylindrical wheel, maybe that was the difference referred to regarding the Melbourne tram.
Cylindrical is best for no hunting at high speeds on tangent track. The Shinkansen system has extremely gentle curvature for high speed running.
That was a great document. Thank you for sharing it !
Just wanted to add:
for anyone interested in PCC cars, you need to check out the "F Market" line in San Francisco. It'll blow you away !
I remember the S.F. muni from trips up there as a kid. I regarded a trip to S.F. As equal to a trip to Disneyland in excitement level, because of the cable cars, and PCC's. The PCC's used to run down Market( early '60's), and the operators did not respect them. Heavy traffic on Market, and the light would turn green, and they'd slip the wheels every time ! They were rough on them ! The last ride I took on the original PCC system was in '76, down Market, and through Twin Peaks tunnel. They modernized with a system under Market, but now Their Back !
The Cable Cars will always be a favorite. And the more you understand about the operation, the more flabbergasted you will become !
Did you know there is a hierarchy in cable systems ?
Consider this :
we all know there is a cable just below Street level the gripman grips to propel the car. But what happens when 2 lines cross ? The line that existed first maintains their cable at a constant level. The newer line must pull their cable down under the original line at the point of crossing.That means the gripman on the newer line must release the cable, and coast over the original line at the point of crossing.This happens today where the Powell lines cross the California street line, which was there first. Keep in mind the Powell line has just crested a summit! The moral is : don't distract the gripman!
It's my understanding San Francisco's "F Market" line has a PCC done up like this one...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpO5bFWKZFY
Yep, a Public Service Co-Ordinated Transport of New Jersey PCC! Which must give visitors to SF who come from New Jersey (like I do) quite a shock, especially if they're old enough to remember.
Supposedly MTH made an O gauge PCC with Public Service markings. I'm on the lookout for one, I'll find it eventually.
You are probably correct, because, not only does F Market have Muni PCC's from 2different paint schemes, it has a Chicago, a Boston, a Cincinnati, a Pacific Electric, an L.A. Rlys car, and most major cities represented. They also have single, and double ended PCC's.
I'm tellin' ya
it's da bomb !
No doubt! I read an article about the "F Market" line several years ago, maybe in "Trains," maybe in "Railfan and Railroad," I'm not sure, but the article definately stated that cornucopia of PCC's in the colors of different transit systems from around the country was wildly popular.
Boy, howdy !
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