Brussels and Budapest. The conduit system of electrical power was very expensive to install and maintain, although Washington did not close until 1962. Attempts were made with alternative systems not needing overhead wires. There were many systems of “surface” contact, where studs were set in the road surface, and energised by a passing tram, either mechanically or magnetically, to supply power through a skate carried under the tram. Unfortunately these systems all failed due to the problem of reliability and not always turning off after the tram had passed, resulting in the occasional electrocution of horses and dogs. In the last five years a new system of surface contact has been installed in the Bordeaux tramway by Alstom. Cable haulage Prior to the universal introduction of electric power, many tramways were cable hauled, with a continuous cable carried in a conduit under the road, and with a slot in the road surface through which the tram could clasp the cable for motion. This system can still be seen in San Francisco in California as well as the system of the Great Orme in Wales. These needed a rather more substantial track formation. Gallery See also Difference between train and tram rails Grade (slope) Gauntlet track Minimum railway curve radius Rail profile Railroad switch (points) Railway guide rail Reserved track Street running Track transition curve Tram track gauge Tramway (industrial) References External links LR55 Track System Full details LR55 track suppliers and advisers European Girder Guard Rail Sections and Tram/Street Car Grooved BLOCK Rail without Web Testing Girder Rail on the MBTA. Wirth Girder Rail Grooved or girder rail MRT Track & Services Co., Inc / Krupp, T and girder rails, scroll down. Block rails ThyssenKrupp grooved rail Permanent way Tram technology