NEW TRAM CARS.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 January 1921, Page 4

NEW TRAM CARS.

THE “DEAD-MAN CONTROL.” CARS DUE IN APRIL. Plans of the sectional construction of the new tram cars ordered by the New Plymouth Borough Council have been received by the tramway manager (Mr R. H. Bartley). It is expected that the cars will» he landed in New Plymouth about April. The cars will be of the Birney safety type, suitable for one man, or ordinordinary operation, and are of steel construction. They are lighter than the present cars, and therefore the wear and tear in track maintenance is lessened. The car is capable of quicker acceleration and greater schedule speed than the ordinary car, but this does not reduce the margin of safety. Special safety devices protect this quickened operation. The dead-man control is fitted to the cars, and should the operator become incapable of fulfilling his duties, or his attention be detracted, “letting go” the controller handle automatically throws off the power. Another of the safety features is that the doors must be closed and the step raised before the car will start, thus preventing step accidents* Also the doors and step cannot be opened until the car stops. The cars, which are of pleasing design, are about the size of the single car at present in use. New Plymouth will be the first system to adopt this particular car, although the Invercargill management have also decided in favor of Birneys on their last order. They are in operation in about 170 systems in America, and have proved highly satisfactory.