Driving tram on single line tramway - How did it work?

Gostav · 16 Dec 2018

I found that on the old OS 25 inch map, many towns had single line tramway systems with short loops and no signalling system.
Like Bolton https://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/#zoom=18&lat=53.5741&lon=-2.4383&layers=168&b=1
and Weston-super-Mare https://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/#zoom=17&lat=51.3483&lon=-2.9810&layers=168&b=1

So l always wanted to figure out how the single line tramway is work，in the days if l am the tram driver l only have to rely on visual to know if the single line section is clear? If a opposite tram at next loop want into the single line and my tram also want into the section, who owns the priority?
It seems the speed would be very slow by those single line tramway systems on the days, tram must stopped at every loop line.

RailUK Forums

John Webb · 16 Dec 2018

Trams were driven on a 'Line of sight' basis. Loops would usually be placed where there were tram stops, so trams would pass each other while collecting/dropping off passengers. Companies would make certain their drivers knew at every loop which direction had priority over the section of track to the next loop. Some systems did have simple signalling systems to enforce this priority. Speeds were slow, as much of the traffic on the road was still horse-drawn, of course, until around the 1920s in the UK.
At Crich in Derbyshire, home of the National Tram Museum, there is an extension which is a single line - this uses a simple 'token' system to control which direction the trams are to run in as there is a curve in the track.

Ianno87 · 16 Dec 2018

Leidsestraat in Amsterdam still operates like that:
https://goo.gl/maps/NQHWkGfTQu12

Taunton · 16 Dec 2018

The loops were sited so they could often be seen from one another. The timetable would give a fair indication of when there might be an oncoming one, and if the worst came to the worst one of them would reverse. Actually little different to driving country buses along narrow lanes.

Some busier lines had simplistic signalling, when a tram entered a section a trip in the overhead line turned on a red light on a traction pole at the other end, which was turned off again by the trip on arrival.

The points at the loops were sprung so at both ends a tram was sent into the left hand side.

Fog was an issue, different systems had different approaches, one was fogmen were sent out to loops, with a (presumably extremely loud) whistle, to blow a code to the next loop and hear a response.

30907 · 16 Dec 2018

The Kirnitschtal rural tramway at Bad Schandau near Dresden has some sort of staff system, but that is very unusual.

Ken H · 16 Dec 2018

Taunton said:
The loops were sited so they could often be seen from one another. The timetable would give a fair indication of when there might be an oncoming one, and if the worst came to the worst one of them would reverse. Actually little different to driving country buses along narrow lanes.

Some busier lines had simplistic signalling, when a tram entered a section a trip in the overhead line turned on a red light on a traction pole at the other end, which was turned off again by the trip on arrival.

The points at the loops were sprung so at both ends a tram was sent into the left hand side.

Fog was an issue, different systems had different approaches, one was fogmen were sent out to loops, with a (presumably extremely loud) whistle, to blow a code to the next loop and hear a response.

Found this discussing tram points in London showing a bloke operating a points lever in the street
http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/78851-tram-control/
Post #4 has a movie in it.

Busaholic · 16 Dec 2018

Of course, you can also get a single line tramway operated by a single tram, which simplifies matters somewhat! I did moot the idea of such a line in Cornwall, from Penzance Pier to Newlyn along the Promenade, some years ago in my local paper, but got no support. There is (mostly) room for it without significant disruption to other traffic/pedestrians/infrastructure, and it could draw more visitors to the area, just like Seaton. Having just the one, double-ended tram would ensure a lot of complications and costs not arising.

Taunton · 17 Dec 2018

Ken H said:
Found this discussing tram points in London showing a bloke operating a points lever in the street

Different systems at different places. Edinburgh had a key complex multi-way junction at the east end of Princes Street which was operated electrically by a "signalman" standing at the back of the pavement with a small control box with about 5 point switches.

Busaholic · 17 Dec 2018

Taunton said:
Different systems at different places. Edinburgh had a key complex multi-way junction at the east end of Princes Street which was operated electrically by a "signalman" standing at the back of the pavement with a small control box with about 5 point switches.

London had pointsmen, as in 'The Elephant Will Never Forget' film, as fine an evocation of the last days of its trams as you'll find, but also ploughmen,which sounds agricultural but most certainly wasn't! By the way, that 'last tram in' at New Cross may have been the official one, but there were others after it, one a mere matter of a couple of hours later! Abbey Wood depot also saw much later activity. Still, can't keep the Chairman of L.T. waiting!

JohnR · 17 Dec 2018

Also, there were some Tram lines which shared a rail in the loops (presumably due to width restrictions).

Ken H · 17 Dec 2018

Taunton said:
Different systems at different places. Edinburgh had a key complex multi-way junction at the east end of Princes Street which was operated electrically by a "signalman" standing at the back of the pavement with a small control box with about 5 point switches.

see my post #6 above for a link to the movie

silverfoxcc · 1 Jan 2019

POst 10

IIRC doesn't the SF cable cars have a shared rail just before the routes diverge?

I will get out my vid and check

Driving tram on single line tramway - How did it work?

Gostav

Member

RailUK Forums

John Webb

Established Member

Ianno87

Veteran Member

Taunton

Established Member

30907

Veteran Member

Ken H

On Moderation

Busaholic

Veteran Member

Taunton

Established Member

Busaholic

Veteran Member

JohnR

Member

Ken H

On Moderation

silverfoxcc

Member