In article ,
(Paul Terry) wrote:

In message ,
writes

Space for the overhead line isn't the problem. Single deck trams are
much taller than tube trains.

There's quite a bit of clearance above the height of a tube train:


http://www.flickr.com/photos/richard...z/in/photostre
am/

Is that enough for a modern tram though?

In fact, at one stage BR class 503s from Merseyside were going to
be used on the line. Here's a rare picture of clearance trials:

http://www.gscalecentral.co.uk/f/dow...?file=1;127888

However, the length of the 503s proved to be a problem, as there is
a tight S-bend in the tunnel, hence the adoption of tube stock
(plus, the aluminium-bodied stock was much better able to cope with
salt spray on the pier).

Ho-ho! Aluminium-bodied stock has never been used on the island though
there was a bit of aluminium in the 1934 Standard stock. I understand that
electrolytic corrosion on the pier (all ali-bodied stock has some steel in
it) was the reason why no stock withdrawn since the 1938 steel-bodied
stock has been used on the Island.

If the tram proposal does go ahead (which I think is unlikely), it
is more likely to adopt street running, as the proposal for the
Ryde Relief Road would take traffic away from the Esplanade (which
is currently the main road through the town).

Wow! Would that be the second new road on the island in 70 years? I still
use my parents' 1940s 1" OS map of the island. Apart from the railway
closures and the Newport bypass there has been surprisingly little change.

--
Colin Rosenstiel