HELP needed- Tram Conversion

[Glen]

Hi all,

Bit of a funny one, but just trying to research any information on converting a tram into self contained accomodation. So if anyone has any information on the following it would be greatly appreciated. I have been scouring the internet and aam not making much headway on this.

A. Where to buy one, particularly W Class

B. Is it possible to split and extend the width.

C. Has anyone ever done this typeof conversion before?

Thanks

Glen

[ian]

Can't help with A

with B, why would you want to? Isn't the charm the fact that you're living in the old tram?

C. As a kid I slept in a converted tram at the Warrumbungles. I imagine the principle is the same as converting an old bus.

[Glen]

[QUOTE=ian;1290279]
with B, why would you want to?

At the moment we're just considering using one for a B&B unit and the width doesn't appear enough to accomodate a queen size bed with enough room around it to allow for people of all mobility levels. The whole project isn't going to hapen for at least a year so just trying to research the feasability of the whole idea.

[ian]

Glen
if you can get yourself up to the Emerald City you couild check out the YHA at Sydney's Central Station.
Part of the accomodation is in "old" train carriages -- I'll await to be corrected, but I believe the "old" carriages are actually new buildings constructed to look like a clutch of old train carriages

maybe an option for you to consider?

[snowyskiesau]

http://www.a-tm.com.au/ have train carriages and trams for sale. They also handle moving them.

[wheelinround]

Trams are narrower than trains not by much but inches mean heaps.
I'd hate to be doing the cut and shut extension on either a big job, I have narrowed SA buses and that was bad enough. Extended short buses and coaches most when new a couple years latter.

I could suggest also look at written off semi trailers I know no one having done it as yet, but many have used shipping containers from the 20ft to 40ft and at 8ft wide plenty room for a Queen bed.

[ian]

a shipping container is only 8'
after allowing for the walls and the 5' width of a queen bed, there's only about 14 to 16" of space each side of teh mattress -- maybe a little too squeezy?

[wheelinround]

container fit just on a flat bed of a train chassis also.

You can put the bed across ways giving you a 6ft bed with 2 ft at the bottom or complete platform the whole width could b done in a train or tram also.

it gives only one side to get in and out of many a motel room does the same thing