BURNLEY DOUBLE DECK TRAM

The Prototype

The original trams ran on the Burnley four foot gauge system in the early 1900's. Converted from open top bogie vehicles in 1911, the trams featured a semi-enclosed upper deck, reversed (clockwise) stairs, and maximum traction trucks. (See Plans) The reversed stairs allowed uninterrupted use of the upper deck for seating, but caused congestion as passengers attempted to access the adjacent stairs and lower saloon entrance. Driver vision was also restricted to the left. Transverse seating with reversing seat backs was provided on the upper deck (aside from the bench seats opposite the stairs) Longitudinal bench seating was provided in the lower saloon.

The trucks, which were modified from a Brill 22E design, supported the car directly over the (outer) driven axles, ensuring maximum traction. The smaller (steering) wheels were kept on the track by sprung loaded plungers moving over a transverse inclined plane. This varied the down force according to track curvature. Multiple braking systems were provided for use on Burnley's hilly system. These included mechanical clasp brakes, regenerative electromagnetic track brakes and emergency mechanical track brakes. The usual automatic safety tray arrangement was provided at each end. The Burnley system closed down in 1934.

The Model

The model (See Photo) correctly pivots the body directly over the driving wheels. A simple one inch pulley with tyre sits transversely on the rear of each bogie, and runs under the car floor to hold the steering wheels down. Restricted bogie space has led to non prototypical swinging arm suspension for the smaller wheels. Braking systems are not modelled, the safety trays do not operate, and the transverse seat backs are fixed. The somewhat oversized trolley standard attempts to emulate the principles of the Brecknell, Munro & Rogers design. Early 1980's Märklin Metall and current Metallus parts were used to construct the model.

Low floor design, typical of vehicles of this type, means that a large scale is required to install comprehensive under frame features, and suitably powerful motors. Arguably, I should have made it bigger. Even at the chosen scale, the approximately 2 foot 6 inch long double deck body is extremely heavy.

Bryn Jones ( Henley SME / NE London MC / Runnymede MG / West London MS )

February 2007

Reference: British Electric Tramcar Design 1885-1950 by R.W.Rush (Oxford Publishing Company, 1976)

Please post any communications relating to this article in the METALLUS / GENERAL METALLUS CHAT section of the public forum.