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Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1859, 19 September 1913, Page 5

HOME TRAMS & OURS.

REPORT TO THE COUNCIL.

MR. WATERS'S TRIP TO ENGLAND,

Mr. J. S.- Waters, assistant car-Bhed superintendent, having returned from a visit to England, has reported the result of his inquiries there into tramway management. He inspected tho systems at London, Glasgow, and Manchester, and attended the annual congress of tho Tramways and Light Railways' Association at Blackpool.

In tho course of his report Mr. Waters stated that it was generally acknowledged that tracks laid on good wood sleeper foundations gave the best results, being cheaper to maintain'. They gave quieter miming, and had less effect on car equipment. In London they had adopted a mechanical method of applying tho track shoes, which would be operated from either end. Before descending a grade it was put down and was independent of the electrical equipment. The Ackly double purchase brake was proving very satisfactory and was being installed in all tho large centres. Destination and route signals were receiving considerable attention, and in London, whore they had the coloured lights at night, similar to Wellington, they wore adopting a service numbor to indicate tho route in addition to the side-board. A very good life-guard was in use in Glasgow, tho front gate adjusting itself and always keeping tho same height from tho rail. There were also side guards to prevent rolling under wheels. _ Point controllers were now under review and Manchester was using a large number. Belfast had installed over 50 and wero effecting a saving over the old method of points boys, of £1750 a year. It was stated at tho Tramways Congress that theso had almost paid for themselves. Strange to say Glasgow had not yet gone in for any.