Restaurant Tram for Gold Coast?

[#Metro]

Would this work on the Gold Coast? Lot's of old trams that could be acquired... differing voltages might be an issue...

http://www.tramrestaurant.com.au/

[ozbob]

Probably get in the way of the regular services initially, but certainly as the network expanded ..

Could work at night when frequency down a bit.

There are enough Victorians on the Gold Coast so a W Class Tram would feel right at home ... 

[SurfRail]

The voltage would fry anything from Melbourne unless you rebuilt it to accommodate 750v.

At least you wouldn't need a stove to cook with...

[ozbob]

LOL,  yes I don't think it would be a major issue.  They could even invest in a new tram ..  although the thought of a W even if redone for 750V would be very nice ...

(Melbourne is 600V DC)

[minbrisbane]

What about something from closer to home?  Could a Brisbane tram be used?  There are a few (afaik) that are still unrestored at BTM.  Although, voltage (600v) is again an issue.

[ozbob]

Hey, that is a good idea 

I am not sure if they were as big as a W but guess they could be used.

[#Metro]

Weren't Brisbane Trams quite narrow? I guess they do fine in Melbourne though. It's a real tourist puller.

[#Metro]

What are the chances Brisbane Transport will put on a restaurant bus down the busway, lol.    Go Trams!!

A restaurant ferry would work, but heaps of those on the river already... Definitely a potential use for ageing monohulls...

[ozbob]

Some great photographs in this vid ..

There is a photo of steam, tram and trolley bus ...   

[SurfRail]

I'd love to see a Brisbane four-motor tram (especially one of the working Phoenix models from Ferny Grove or Loftus) running through Surfers, but without significant spending and work it's only a pipedream.

I expect GoldlinQ would have precisely zero interest but might be convinced if anybody out there could indemnify them for any costs or other issues and paid an access fee high enough.

Service frequency after 7pm would accommodate it no issues at all.

[#Metro]

I think ANY restaurant tram would be a hit, no need for it to be heritage. Heritage preferred though.
I wonder what GCCC would think of the idea? I think it would be a hit.

[mufreight]

The best candidate would be an ex Glenelg H class, larger than any other heritage tram in this country and mods to allow for the higher voltage should pose few problems.

[huddo45]

The voltage would fry anything from Melbourne unless you rebuilt it to accommodate 750v.

At least you wouldn't need a stove to cook with...

The Sydney Light Rail which operates on 750V borrowed Sydney scrubber car 134s which was built as a D Class passenger car in 1899 to scrub their track initially, it ran with no problems at all.

[minbrisbane]

Is that the original pantograph?

[ozbob]

Is that the original pantograph?

I don't think so.  Probably fitted while used as the scrubber.

Here is a recent photograph of the scrubber car which appears to have the pantograph removed.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/johncowper/7668015388/

[red dragin]

I have been on this tram, and whilst it is a fun night it does operate at a slow speed, so would get in the way or have to travel faster (spilled wine anyone?) to fit in.

The melbourne tram (I think) stays off the busier sections, and has an out of the way stop for loading/unloading (about 15 mins each IIRC).

[SurfRail]

The voltage would fry anything from Melbourne unless you rebuilt it to accommodate 750v.

At least you wouldn't need a stove to cook with...

The Sydney Light Rail which operates on 750V borrowed Sydney scrubber car 134s which was built as a D Class passenger car in 1899 to scrub their track initially, it ran with no problems at all.

Yeah, I was aware of the scrubber car, but I gathered that it ran very hot and wouldn't be reliable with prolonged use.  I could be wrong because I'm only going from a half-remembered visit to Loftus a few years ago.

[huddo45]

The voltage would fry anything from Melbourne unless you rebuilt it to accommodate 750v.

At least you wouldn't need a stove to cook with...

The Sydney Light Rail which operates on 750V borrowed Sydney scrubber car 134s which was built as a D Class passenger car in 1899 to scrub their track initially, it ran with no problems at all.

Yeah, I was aware of the scrubber car, but I gathered that it ran very hot and wouldn't be reliable with prolonged use.  I could be wrong because I'm only going from a half-remembered visit to Loftus a few years ago.

I've put the question to Trams Down Under, If I get a reply from someone in Sydney I'll report back.
In Melbourne they have refurbished a W Class, dubbed the W8, with chopper controls etc at enormous expense. 

Seven News report here:

[#Metro]

Well the tram line starts at Jupiter's Casino and the convention centre, which is just PERFECT, travels all the way up the glitter strip, nice, into through the heard of Surfers Paradise boulevarde, over the sundale bridge/spit through southport (nice views)