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Modern tramways are a great idea but I understand the construction of this one is causing very great traffic problems in Nottingham. The cost of laying the rails is also always a considerable part of a tramway system budget. When I recently visited the London Transport Museum, I was interested to read that the cost of laying the rails and their subsequent maintenance/renewal was one reason why London trams became so uneconomic to run. They were all removed as early as 1952.
I know this is a railway forum but I have another question. Why do we not reintroduce trolley buses? I have made only one journey on this wonderful form of transport in my life (to Hampton Court, just before they were removed from London in 1962) but I was struck by the acceleration, comfort and quiet. Compared to installing a tramway, it strikes me that there is little more to do than put up a few poles, string an electric cable between them and run your trolleybus. They can steer round obstacles and even run on their own battery power for a mile or two - and they cost a great deal less. Does anyone know why they are not making a comeback in place of the much more complex and expensive trams?
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