Discover the enduring promise of cable and rope traction for street railways
This comprehensive, revised volume explains how the Endless Cable Haulage System works and why it mattered in the growth of urban transit.
It covers its origins, global spread, and practical results in cities from San Francisco to London, Edinburgh, and Melbourne. The book also includes a practical look at rope manufacture and related equipment.
Written by J. Bucknall Smith, it focuses on mechanical traction for street and other railways, weighing benefits against other systems and describing real-world performance, costs, and engineering details. The text emphasizes careful, impartial comparisons and the challenges of bringing cable traction to busy streets.
- Step-by-step descriptions of how cables, tubes, and grippers operate on city streets
- Case studies of early cable lines and their technical and financial outcomes
- Key discussion of equipment, installation, maintenance, and cost considerations
- Insider views on the adoption process across multiple continents
Ideal for readers with an interest in historical engineering, tramway technology, or the development of urban transit systems.