The
'Car Depot' as it was known when it was built, was designed to store most of
the the 1925 stock, although it probably never did. The depot consists of two
parallel brick lined tunnels, built using the cut and cover method. There is a
forty foot arch at one end linking the two tunnels. Being at basement level,
of the Mount Pleasant buildings, there is a lift shaft for lifting the rolling
stock and materials in and out of the system.
Access from the main line is
via steep ramp up from Mount Pleasant station. The depot has various sidings and
spurs for storage and repairs, some having inspection pits. For safety reasons
the depot
does not have any conductor rails, except for a short brake testing section,
instead current is taken from a cable attached to an overhead trolley wire.
Points in the depot are all operated by hand, from sunken point levers.
Each train
on the system, receives a regular service every 4,000 miles (6,400 Km), this consists
of an inspection of all the parts, checking for damage, worn parts and general
operation of the unit. Every 100,000 miles (160,000 Km) the units receive a
complete overhaul.
The
Depot also has a good selection of machinery and tools, so that most repairs can
be carried out in-house. The only job to be contracted out is motor armature
rewinds. One interesting item of machinery is the motor test- bed, the motors
and axles can be run for up to a week to 'bed' them in. One
unusual function of the depot is that the rails from the main running tunnels
have to be taken there to be turned around, as the main tunnels are not wide
enough. The rails are turned around now and again to lengthen the life of the
rail by promoting even ware to the tops of the rails.
The
'Car Depot' as it was known when it was built, was designed to store most of
the the 1925 stock, although it probably never did. The depot consists of two
parallel brick lined tunnels, built using the cut and cover method. There is a
forty foot arch at one end linking the two tunnels. Being at basement level,
of the Mount Pleasant buildings, there is a lift shaft for lifting the rolling
stock and materials in and out of the system.
The
Depot also has a good selection of machinery and tools, so that most repairs can
be carried out in-house. The only job to be contracted out is motor armature
rewinds. One interesting item of machinery is the motor test- bed, the motors
and axles can be run for up to a week to 'bed' them in. One
unusual function of the depot is that the rails from the main running tunnels
have to be taken there to be turned around, as the main tunnels are not wide
enough. The rails are turned around now and again to lengthen the life of the
rail by promoting even ware to the tops of the rails.