MTT Emergency vehicle - siren/bell

Adelaide / South Australia Transport Discussion
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softgrow
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MTT Emergency vehicle - siren/bell

Post by softgrow »

I'm somewhat intrigued a piece of old legislation, particularly https://www.legislation.sa.gov.au/home/ ... f-1936.pdf which was a 1936 Bill that passed to modify the Road Traffic act. In particular the sections 18 and 19 which state (section 18 as an example)

"(3) A bell or siren shall not be taken to be a proper horn or other instrument within the meaning of this section. except where the motor vehicle to which it is attached is-
(a) being used at the time by the Fire Brigades Board or a fire brigade or the Police Department; or
(b) an ambulance; or
(c) an emergency vehicle being used at the time by the Municipal Tramways Trust."

What was the emergency activity by the MTT?
softgrow
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Re: MTT Emergency vehicle - siren/bell

Post by softgrow »

The MTT lost their emergency vehicle status in 1961 https://www.legislation.sa.gov.au/home/ ... f-1961.pdf so what were they up to 1936-1961?
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The Phonj
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Re: MTT Emergency vehicle - siren/bell

Post by The Phonj »

While this is only speculation, it may be for a breakdown response vehicle.
Bus Preservation Association of South Australia https://www.bpasa.org.au/
Tramway Museum St. Kilda https://www.trammuseumadelaide.com/
National Railway Museum, Port Adelaide https://nrm.org.au/
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boronia
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Re: MTT Emergency vehicle - siren/bell

Post by boronia »

The fact it was taken out of the legislation in 1961 suggests it might have been tramway related. Perhaps something related to people being trapped underneath trams in incidents, rather than just breakdowns.

Road safety "educational" articles in local newspapers of the 1930s made reference to giving way to "emergency vehicles of the Tramways Trust".

Are there any archives of the MTT house magazines that might have descriptions of the vehicles?
Preserving fire service history
@ The Museum of Fire.
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