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Questions about the real version of the Matchbox Models of Yesteryear Y3-1 1907 London E Class Tramcar.

The model looks to be Omni-directional.  If so (on the real tram) how is the trolley pole reversed in direction, while under the wire.  Does it lower and then swing sideways 180* or how?  When were these retired and were new trams put in place or were rails abandoned and the wires removed?

This should answer the question of directional change over.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3t23VM__fw

Last trams ran in London on 6th July 1952.

Thanks for that link, looks like a place I'd like to spend a day or two.

With a pole Joe. Being an old fart I can remember the guy had to get out and push the things back up onto the cables when it bounced off sometimes. I remember somewhere they filled the old tracks with pennies when not used anymore , maybe it was the last tram running or something and a big fuss was made of it.

Some great pictures here

https://mikemorant.smugmug.com/Trams-bu ... -nS6CbLX/A

Great pictures in that link.

Here is a Tram in difficulty in my home town Luton.

Some excellent photos. They also answer some other questions I had. I've seen photos of the Trams (in service) with the poles tied down and wondered if they were duel power. Seeing some better photos showing a third rail type situation, with the gap in the middle of the rails, answers that question.  Obviously, there is a pick-up which can be lowered or raised to use power from a third rail (which is below the surface).

Tinman wrote:Obviously, there is a pick-up which can be lowered or raised to use power from a third rail (which is below the surface).

It was a device called a plough. It was run in under the tramcar and provided an electrical connection between the live rail running in a conduit under the slot in the centre rails, and the electric motors. (What I don't know is what stopped little boys from poking things down the slot and being electrocuted.)
I have seen black and white footage of a plough being 'flicked' under an LCC trancar, but cannot find the video online.

Pictures here

https://dewi.ca/trains/conduit/ploughs.html

Idris wrote:What I don't know is what stopped little boys from poking things down the slot and being electrocuted.

Probably the same thing that keeps boys from touching the much more exposed 'third rail" on U.S. electrified railways - the widely known and foretold knowledge of certain death.