I like this a lot, especially as I have come to value steel cables as both an architectural flourish in design and also for the convenience as a support element. One is uniquely able to provide stability against all sorts of disrupting forces and yet do it with such little interference with the space.
Hi, Asher,
Indeed.
I am interested in the "fitting" seen in the cable. The first thought is that it is a turnbuckle, as you know used to adjust out the "slack" in a cable (and/or to put it under a desired degree of tension, depending on whether you take the isotonic or isometric view of the system). But its form is unfamiliar to me. Of course it might just be the style of such thing as made in Germany (or wherever). But if it is a turnbuckle, I am surprised by the apparent shortness of the threaded members, which would seem to give it an unusually-small range of adjustment (and they seem overly "fat" as well).
In a different context, I might think it to be a form of insulator use in cables under tension where the flow of electrical current must be blocked. Again, I am not familiar with any such of exactly that design (although I am aware of a similar structure used in certain tension insulators), but the thought has to cross my mind as I ponder.
Detail of a building for the maintenance of tramcars.Best regards,
Doug,
The cable is made of twisted steel wires and therefore is not for tensile strength . . .
not for electricity. Also the is a clevis to the right and a cottle [cotter. I guess] pin.
It does not need major adjustment as that can be on the other end of the cable. If there is a short threaded rod to the left side of the fitting, then this could serve for slight final adjustment of tension and measurement with a cable tensiometer applied for final tension adjustment, but conveniently, near to the ground.
I find these cables to be very handsome and make such sense as they use so much less material and can be altered according to changing needs.
Michael,
Thanks.
Here is a wider view of the interior:
Asher, Cem, Doug, Jarmo - Thanks!
To answer the question about the wires: The wires seen are part of the support structure where the live wires are attached through insulators. I have to upload another picture that helps to explain.
Right now I only have a grazing view of the one of the modern trams:
Graffiti on tram trains is not so much of an issue here - this is more of an issue for the S-Bahn (commuter trains).I love these very rectilinear "moving mirrors", giving a deep dark reflection of the street as it passes by. The large areas of glass might make it easier to clean off the kind of graffiti which so marr Los Angeles trains. Or perhaps, German tram yards have better security or a more civil community!
I see these teams as moving sculpture blocks and so handsome and lively additions to a city landscape.
Graffiti on tram trains is not so much of an issue here - this is more of an issue for the S-Bahn (commuter trains).
I cannot tell if this is the result of better guarded trains or a convention followed by the graffiti crowd.
Moving mirrors - is it this what you meant?