Abstract
THAT steep gradients can be overcome by mechanically- propelled tram-cars—as compared to ordinary railway trains—and that street-cars are driven on public thoroughfares, more or less crowded with other traffic, renders the brake question one of considerable importance. The lamentable accident that occurred at Highgate last June affords strong evidence of this. On June 23 a double-deck bogie car became unmanageable, and ran at a great pace for a distance of about three furlongs down the hill extending southwards from Highgate Archway to the Archway Tavern. The gradients here, though considerable, are not excessive for tramway work when operated with due care. The lines have an inclination of about I in 22½ on the hill, but in other parts of the line the gradient is I in 18, whilst gradients of I in 9 have been authorised. Colonel Yorke, to whose full and admirable report on the accident we shall make frequent reference, has said that the Board of Trade insists on track brskes being fitted to aji cars running over gradients of I in 15, the speed being limited to six miles an hour. Of the passengers on the car, only a few were slightly injured, but three persons in the street were killed and twenty were injured, some seriously. The runaway car collided with a hearse, a furniture van, a motor-omnibus, and another van, being finally brought to rest by a stationary car at the terminus. The chief lesson to be gained from the disaster is connected with the, action of brakes on vehicles of this description.
Article PDF
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
The Action of Tram-Car Brakes . Nature 75, 86–88 (1906). https://doi.org/10.1038/075086a0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/075086a0