RAILLESS ELECTRIC CAR.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 155, 18 November 1912, Page 8

RAILLESS ELECTRIC CAR.

SOME INTERESTING DETAILS. To Dundee, one of Scotland's largest cities, lias fallen the distinction of introducing into Scotland the railless elecI trie tramcar. The railless system along Idepington road of that town, by which 1 Maryfield is linked up with Fairmuir, I i 3 the first of its kind ou the Scottish Iside of the border and only the third in i Great Britain. In spite of the wet weather, says the Dundee People's Journal, Colonel von Dnnlop, R.E., who inspected the cars on behalf of the Board of Trade, was accompanied by a large party of town councillors. Joining one of the railless ears at the Maryfield end, a trip was made to Fairmuir, and it was evident that those who came expecting to experience a jolting journey were agreeably surprised by the even, smooth running of the vehicle. The official inspector had no hesitation in expressing his approval, for on leaving the car lie remarked: "There is not much trouble about that. . . ." He subsequently indicated that he was quite pleased witn everything connected with the system. , OXE-TENTH OF AVERAGE OUTLAY. The essential difference between the new and the ordinary electric tramway system is indicated in the former's designation—it is railless, and the cars have free control over the full width of the roadway, being steered with the same facility as a motor 'bus. The vehicles weigh about 3 1 /, tons each and are constructed on deck "principles. They are of the most approved type, being lower in the body, more easy of access, and more commodious than their predecessor:?. Accommodation is provided: for 28 passengers. Each car is provided with two brakes, either of which is capable of controlling the vehicle. The overhead equipment is the same as on 11k Ci.u.iuti-y electric cars, with this difference—that the railless vehicles each carry two trolley poles, one of which acts as the return for the electric cut-, sent, and completes the circuit that is necessary for operating purposes, a function which is fulfilled in the ordinary system by tram rails. So far as equipment is concerned, the cost works out at about £1250 per mile, which is about one-tenth of the average outlay in the construction of an ordinary tramway. The work has been carried out by the R.E.T. Construction Company, of London.

! A Palmerston resident who brought these particulars under the notice of the local Standard, states that applying this cost to Palmerston, the whole system that the borough intends laying down ;could be accomplished for less than £IO,OOO, instead of £60,000, and the results obtained from the railless cars, according to Dundee's experience, are quite up to those obtained from the rail cars. It would, he thinks, still be worth Palmerston's while reconsidering the tram question if £50,000 can be saved.