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SLEEPER-TRACK TRAMWAY FOR BIRMINGHAM.

22nd May 1919, Page 19
22nd May 1919
Page 19
Page 19, 22nd May 1919 — SLEEPER-TRACK TRAMWAY FOR BIRMINGHAM.
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

AT A RECENT meeting of the Birmingham electors, approval was passed on a Bill to be promoted by the Corporation for the improvement and extension of the tramways of the city. The Lord .Mayor explained that it was proposed to construct a 170W type of tramway, on the sleeper-track principle. It would be in the middle of the roadway and slightly higher than the general road level, with occasional

crossing plae-e,s far other traffic. '

At first reading, this sounds rather formidable, and one has visions of 12 in. by Sin. heavy wooden sleepers laid along main roads,with narrow passageways on either side along which long processions of vehicles woulki travel, each headed by a, brewers' dray, a hay cart, or similar slow-moving horse-drawn vehicle. In actual fact, however, the proposal, which concerns only arterial roads, the width of which will be 110 ft. or 120 ft., is an admirable toneā€”if, as we say elsewhere, the necessity for having trams at all

is admitted. . Two alternative constructions are being considered. Both may be utilized according to local conditions. One is suitable for a road 110 ft. wide, the other for one of 120 ft. The difference between the two, beyond the 10 ft. of width is one of detail only. In the former ease, the narrower one, the road is made up of a central tram track 27 ft. wide, flanked on each side by carriage ways of 24 ft. each., outside which are the sidewalks for pedestrians, of 17 ft. 6 ins. each. The conducting wires for the electric current are carried from a single central row of standards, which have _arras projecting on both sides on which the wires are supported in the usual manner. In localities where the wider road would be more suitable, the standards are arranged in two rows, one at each side of the tram track, and they are masked, as much as possible, by trees. The wsthetie effects are to he further improved by the _planting of grass seeds in and around the tracks. (It is not intended to make provision for allotments 0

The elevation of the actual rail above the level of the carriage way will be a matter of a few inches only, so that, where cross roads intersect, the gravel and sleeper track will he interrupted, and the road surface ,made continuous civer the whole width, the top of the rails then merging into the general camber of the carriage ways It is clear that the general effect of road construction on the lines suggested will be good. A speeding up of all forms of traffic will be possible, and there are other points worthy of note.

Ordinary granite sets; such as those in which tram rails are usually laid, if they are to remain in good condition, necessitate concrete foundations. The result is a hard road and noisy trams. Wooden sleepers on ballast will absorb most of the vibration and reduce the noise. Anyone who has ridden, say, on the light railway between Blackpool and Fleetwood will realize the truth of this assertion. It is intended that all gas mains, water water mains, electric mains, drain pipes, etc., anything which, for its maintenance, requires disturbance of the road surface, shall be laid under the wide footpath. There will, therefore be no need, on that account, to disturb the crust of the carriage way once it is made. In fact, most of the objectiomble features of the tramway per se have been removed, except the tram.

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Locations: BIRMINGHAM

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