Thanks guys :thumbs

Presumably it is important that the overheads are placed in exactly the right spot in relation to the points.  If the pole drags off to the side too long either before or after the tram has made the turn, then it's a de-wirement.  I wonder how well that would work in minature without either the mass or the pressure……………:hmm  The poles are spring loaded but not with too hefty springs.

I do remember the conductor having to get out and swing the pole to the opposite end of the tram by the rope whenever you reached the end of the line but I can't recall any de-wirements but as you say Rick, they must have happened.

I think its as Doug says that the points set the direction ,and the pole just follows where its led .albeit a bow type pick up.  I recall the London trolleybuses having the pole moved by the conductor at terminals and also the occasional mishap .the pole lived in a long tube under the bus and was retrieved from the back of the bus when needed . I think (not sure ) that the old trolleybuses could move short distance by battery in an emergency .   I think the trams look great sizewise .i would certainly be pleased to use them.:thumbs  I remember the seat backs on trams could be swung over to face the opposite direction when preffered ,also making sure i did not get my bike wheels in the tracks . Those rubber bellows in front of traffic lights ,was another hazard.:roll:

[user=31]sparky[/user] wrote: 

also making sure i did not get my bike wheels in the tracks .

You had to be careful of the railway tracks in Devonport Dockyard, too.  There's the old joke about 'Why are you late reporting on board?' 'Please Sir, I got my bike stuck in the railway track and had to go to the end of the line to turn round and come back…..'


Doug

I can't recall any de-wirements but as you say Rick, they must have happened.

I joined the Melbourne tramways in 2000 at which time we still had quite a number of trams with poles fitted.   The driver (as Melbourne no longer had conductors) had to lower one pole and raise the other at each terminus which - on a tram equipped with poles at each end - has the same effect as swinging a central pole around.  

The correct mode of operation, known as "trailing pole" was thus ensured.  It was not permitted to move with the pole raised in front of the tram, known as "spearing pole" though in emergency the leading pole could be swung right round to trail.

There were some dewirements as well.  Typically in the middle of a busy intersection at peak time :oops:

All of our trams (the oldest operational one of which dates from 1938) now have pantographs fitted though many were built new with poles and converted later.

This is what's left of the the Great Sydney Trams and the Glebe sheds heart breaking really:

Sydney Abandoned Tram Shed

Using overhead supply on the model means that it will be much easier doing the street infil which can be a right pain.

The trams look great by the waythumbs