TRAMCARS DE LUXE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18353, 20 March 1923, Page 6

TRAMCARS DE LUXE.

MORE SPACIOUS VEHICLES,

NEW DESTINATION SIGNS.

LIFE-SAVING GUARDS.

Developments of a notable character in connection with the tramcars of Auckland will shortly be in full evidence. .'These improvements are in regard to design and construction of car, adoption of a system of route-indication signs, and the fitting of safety guards. The new type of car is a marked ad. vance upon any that hitherto have been employed in Auckland. It is not designed to carry a larger number of passengers than existing cars, but a far greater dei gree of comfort is provided. More room : better ventilation, and better facilities j for' boarding and entering are the out. i standing features which are sure to appeal to tramway travellers. Known as I the semi-steel type, the new car is, by j the material of its construction, stronger i and lighter than earlier cars, and the use I of sheet steel has enabled the internal I width to be increased. A great deal of i thought and ingenuity has been expended !in the arrangement of the seats. The } end seats are longitudinal, and, in conj junction with wide, double doors at each ; end, and wide and lower steps, will sup--1 ply that additional floor space just whet* I it'is most needed. The passage down th | centre is wider than in the past— fact j that will be appreciated as much by thq conductor as by the passenger. Improved Seating. The cross seats are of a new design i and are certainly much more comfortable I than existing ones. They are made of i Tasmania n black wood, a strong, finely, i grained timber that has not hitherto been j used in New Zealand tram-building. ft] | addition to the usual straps for standing j pas -.lingers, brass handgrips are fitted to the | backs of the seats, thus supplying a far- ■ ther aid to those who have to stand. .'• One of the new cars is being finally i equipped for service at the tramway wort- ; shops at Mount Roskill. The first thing ■ that appeals is that not only is the in- . terior of the car actually larger, but the scheme of painting and the arrangement and design of the windows further add to , the idea of spaciousness. The car, which ' at present may be called "the pride of the [ workshop." is No. 170, and nine others similar' in design and equipment, are j under construction. After these are !in service if is probable that tenders | will be called for further cars of the j same class. </" ; ' Not the least notable feature in this new design is that the mot.ormau is provided with an cut rely separate compartment, which completely shuts him off from passengers. At the same time. lie : can leave his little cabin without any delay, shoti'd an emergency arise. Solid rolled steel Wheels take the place of the usual type of wheel, with cast st*e\ centres. F'naliy. '.here is the provision i of the lifeguard alongside the car. Steel brackets support a strong framework of timber battens, which stretches fro-n the fore bogie to the after bogie. The li{«guard is so fitted that if a man ghoul-i slip from the front steps of a car in mou'oi he would be prevented from fali'ng undai the after wheels. It is really .an admirable attempt to provide a " fool-proof" car, with special thought to the mat i who pimps from a car in motion. Lift guards of tlrs type are to'be fitted to all the city trams. Car No. 170. which will go on service in about a monthV ! time, cost £3200. Indication of Route. -'. Pome few months will elapse before the , new indicator signs, rhowing destination and route, are installed. These new signs » are a vast improvement on the"present - ones, and they .are unique in design. .Eftfth i car will* have an indicator sign at both ends. The sign is so constructed. that it shows at an angle that can he rea/ffroai ahead or either ; de. It is, in fact, I arranged like the name on the bwi a ship. Each stern shows the destitjatiwi if the car in white letters on a black ground.' and also the ro;.te followed.,," At night time powerful electric • lamps throw ; a strong beam of ligrht upon the 'ndioator. A series of srear-"wheels, operated- by th« motormaii -or conductor, alters the sign fit the beginning of a journey, and fo carrying out this operation the man a cniided by a di?c,-wh'eh indicates that the correct sien is shown.' Both: by day and by night these plain and helpful sign* will he 'visible at a eomiderably longer distance than those .lie in vague."*'*-'