Sydney Light Rail July 2001

Subject: Changes to MLR trams Date: Wed, 4 Jul 2001 08:59:14 +1000 LRV 2106, Mastercard, still MC but has been altered. Same deep blue background, logoes now smaller and only two per side, with the 'Rewards' now the legend. A contoller said that at the Contoller/Management meetings it was agreed that the doors of LRVs would be kept clear of grahics, although LRV 2103 still has plastic at the top of each door. On the door with the rear-vision mirror this plastic blocks the drivers view of the convex mirror on the Up at JSS if the door has not been opened. Yesterday the plastic on 2107 was being removed, 80% when workers knocked off. I was allowed a quick glimse of a fax with a little picture of the new graphics. It will be 'Whirlpool' with a reclining women on the 3rd module. Should be ready for service Friday.

Subject: Further Changes to MLR Trams Date: Wed, 4 Jul 2001 19:38:11 +1000 Found out this afternoon that LRV 2104 is also being made over, work commenced today, appears new scheme will be a yellow background, will keep my eye on it. One of the workers said that Fridays are his short day but he usually misses out when working on the trams!

Tuesday 10th of July. Midday. 6 trams in circuit - '2105 TTTET' running as a 'special' with 5 trams running the regular service. Somewhat even distribution of services at Jubilee Park - after a 20 minute gap, 3 trams came through in approx 5 minutes. Central Station - special TTTET stop setup. Regular services as normal, 'Thomas' service load from the other end of the platform. The 'Fat Controller' noted on 2105.

2104 - Ex 'The Apple Cart', now advertises Connex Networks. Still has Apple advertising inside. Was in the depot on Friday the 6th being treated. 2107 now Wirlpool - Purple 2106 Mastercard has been redone.
Late in the month I was in Melbourne for 3 days. I didn't get a chance to do much 'tram spotting', and only managed 2 shots. There appears to be a Melbourne version of each of the Sydney tram advertising liveries, excepting Connex (They run one of the suburban train companies), and Thomas the Tank Engine. Spotted on a B2 (single articulated high-floor trams) was Whirlpool advertising similar to Sydney, except that it was Microwave ovens not conventional ovens. B2s were spotted with Cadbury, Renult and Mobile liviers all similar to Sydney, but being at night it wasn't possible to photograph them with the equipment I had available. (A Kodak DC200+ digital camera).

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