Sydney Tramway Museum
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Established | 1950 |
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Location |
Pitt Street, Loftus New South Wales Australia |
Coordinates | 34°02′40″S 151°03′07″E / 34.044321°S 151.051966°E |
Type | Tramway museum |
Nearest car park | On site |
Website | Official Site |
The Sydney Tramway Museum is Australia's oldest tramway museum and the largest in the southern hemisphere. It is located in Loftus in the southern suburbs of Sydney.
History
The museum was officially opened at its original site on the edge of the Royal National Park by NSW Deputy Premier Pat Hills in 1965. It was relocated to a larger site across the Princes Highway adjacent to Loftus railway station which opened on 19 March 1988.
On 23 October 2015 at about 11:00 to 11:30 pm a museum storage shed caught fire and was destroyed. Located off the main museum site, at its original location in the Royal National Park near Loftus Oval, the shed housed the museum's reserve collection of six trams, four buses and a double decker bus chassis dating to 1937. The shed and contents were destroyed. One tram lost, 1898 C12, was within weeks of being completely restored after months of work.[1]
Operation
![](../I/m/NSWDRTT_R1-class_Tram_1979_Controller.jpg)
The museum has an extensive collection of trams from Sydney and cities in Australia and around the world. There are two tram lines radiating from the museum that are used to run tram rides for museum visitors.
One line runs 1.5 km north towards Sutherland railway station, paralleling Rawson Avenue in the way that parts of Sydney's tram system operated.
The second runs to the south and utilises the Royal National Park branch railway line that was constructed in 1886 and closed to trains in June 1991.[2] In 1993 the Museum converted the line to light rail standards and connected it to the then existing Sutherland line to establish what is now a most popular means of access to the world's second oldest national park.[3]
The Museum is open, and trams operate, on Wednesdays, Sundays, most Public Holidays and on selected weekdays during school holidays. Charter operations can be arranged for other days
The Sydney Tramway Museum is run entirely by volunteers and self funds its day-to-day activities, restorations and construction programs from gate takings and donations from the public.
Gallery
- R1-class Tram 1979
- Tram 393
- Tram Controller
- Makers Emblem
- O-class Tram 805
- Tram Signage
- P-class Tram 1497
- Drivers Cab
- Acetylene Weed Burner
- Balmain Counterweight
- Destination Roll
- Tram 728
- Destination Roll
- 154 Advertising
- Phoenix class tram in the Royal National Park
Preservation
- Details for trams shown at the old depot in the Royal National Park are to be updated to show damage caused by the fire on 23 October 2015. Details for trams shown stored at Rozelle to be updated.
ex-NSW Tramways Rolling stock [4] | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No | Description | Manufacturer | Type | Year Built | Length m | Weight t | Date Acquired | Status | Comments | |
12 | C-Class Tram | Hudson Bros. | Single truck | 1899 | 7.62 | 8.60 | 1997 | SNO | Converted to breakdown car 56s in 1909.Converted back to passenger in 1959 By NSWDOT. Originally donated to NSW tramway Historical Society. Body in poor condition. Stored at the old RNP depot site*. | |
29 | C-Class Tram | Hudson Bros. | Single truck | 1898 | 7.62 | 8.60 | 1961 | IO | Converted to breakdown car 60s in 1910.Converted back to passenger in 1995 at STM. Operational in 2001. | |
33 | C-Class Tram | Hudson Bros | Single truck | 1898 | 7.62 | 8.60 | 1995 | URF | Converted to experimental double deck car in 1907 and lasted until 1908. Converted to breakdown car 33s in 1924 at Randwick Workshops. Body only recovered in 1995 from Newcastle Tramway Museum-Rutherford. Being restored in Bendigo to double deck tram. | |
37 | C-Class Tram | Hudson Bros. | Single truck | 1899 | 7.62 | 8.60 | 2010 | URN | Sold in 1924. Donated by the Tradesmens Union Club, Canberra in 2010. Moved to Sydney 20/4/2010 for restoration and to be sent to Christchurch, NZ on completion. | |
290 | C-Class Tram | Morrison | Single truck | 1896 | 7.93 | 8.60 | 1957 | IO | Converted to breakdown car 115s in 1927 by NSWDOT. Restored to Passenger tram by SPER. | |
23 | Cable trailer | Richie Bros | Single truck | 1894 | 5.64 | 2.50 | 1976 | DCO | Under restoration | |
117 | D-Class Tram | Clyde | Single truck | 1899 | 9.40 | 9.66 | 1994 | URN | Converted to breakdown car 112s in 1913 by NSWDOT. Major restoration back to passenger car | |
529 | E-Class Tram | Clyde | Single truck | 1903 | 8.37 | 10.20 | 1957 | URN | Under restoration | |
530 | E-Class Tram | Clyde | Single truck | 1903 | 8.37 | 10.20 | 1957 | URN | Under restoration | |
393 | F-Class Tram | Clyde | Bogie | 1902 | 11.75 | 13.00 | 1957 | IOS | Converted to Eye Sight car 127s in 1927. Restored to original condition at STM. | |
24s | Freight car | NSWGT | Bogie | 1903 | 9.60 | 12.70 | 1957 | DCO | Car preserved without motors. Body restored for display. | |
675 | J-Class Tram | Meadowbank | Single truck | 1904 | 8.89 | 11.70 | 1996 | SNO | Restored to operating condition. In service 2009. Damaged and out of service 2016 | |
1295 | K-Class Tram | Meadowbank | Single truck | 1913 | 8.89 | 10.90 | 1997 | SNO | Originally donated to NSW Tramway Historical Society. Body in poor condition. -Stored at old RNP site depot*. | |
1296 | K-Class Tram | Meadowbank | Single truck | 1913 | 8.89 | 10.90 | 1957 | DCO | ||
154 | L/P-Class Tram | Clyde | Bogie | 1900 | 12.45 | 15.20 | 1957 | IO | Built as an F-Class Tram and converted to L class in 1910. Converted to L/P in 1926 | |
257 | L/P-Class Tram | Clyde | Bogie | 1901 | 12.45 | 15.20 | 1995 | SFI | Body stored at HPOTS, Cessnock poor condition. | |
298 | L/P-Class Tram | Clyde | Bogie | 1901 | 12.45 | 15.20 | 1995 | SFI | Body stored at HPOTS, Cessnock poor condition | |
341 | L/P-Class Tram | Clyde | Bogie | 1901 | 12.45 | 15.20 | 1995 | SFI | Body stored at HPOTS, Cessnock poor condition | |
710 | N-Class Tram | Meadowbank | Bogie | 1906 | 11.99 | 15.10 | 2007 | SFI | Stored at Old site, RNP* poor condition of body | |
718 | N-Class Tram | Meadowbank | Bogie | 1906 | 11.99 | 15.10 | 1995 | SFI | Stored at HPOTS, Cessnock poor condition of body | |
728 | N-Class Tram | Meadowbank | Bogie | 1906 | 11.99 | 15.10 | 1957 | IO | ||
824 | O-Class Tram | Meadowbank | Bogie | 1909 | 13.58 | 17.80 | 1995 | SFI | Stored at HPOTS, Cessnock poor condition of body | |
957 | O-Class Tram | Meadowbank | Bogie | 1910 | 13.58 | 17.80 | 1978 | URN | Under restoration | |
1111 | O-Class Tram | Meadowbank | Bogie | 1912 | 13.58 | 17.80 | 1959 | IO | ||
1089 | O/P-Class Tram | Meadowbank | Bogie | 1912 | 13.58 | 17.90 | 1974 | URN | Originally an O-Class Tram; rebuilt by NSWDOT to O/P in 15/6/1920. Under restoration | |
99u | Overhead Line car | Meadowbank | Bogie | 1913 | 12.65 | 18.90 | 1959 | IOW | Operational | |
1497 | P-Class Tram | NSWGT | Bogie | 1922 | 13.85 | 16.90 | 1961 | IO | ||
1501 | P-Class Tram | NSWGT | Bogie | 1922 | 13.85 | 16.90 | 1999 | SFI | Stored at Bendigo pending review for restoration | |
1729 | P-Class Tram | Mort's Dock | Bogie | 1929 | 13.85 | 16.90 | 2010 | SNO | Donated by the Tradesmens Union Club, Canberra in 2010. Moved to Sydney 24/1/2010. Future restoration. | |
1573 | P/R1-Class Tram | Meadowbank | Bogie | 1923 | 13.85 | 18.60 | 1965 | SNO | P car rebuilt as PR1 in 1949 by NSWDOT. To be restored | |
948 | Prison Tram | NSWGT | Bogie | 1909 | 12.04 | 15.60 | 1957 | DCO | Car preserved without motors. | |
1740 | R-Class Tram | Clyde | Bogie | 1933 | 14.35 | 18.00 | 1961 | IO | ||
1741 | R-Class Tram | Clyde | Bogie | 1933 | 14.35 | 18.00 | 2003 | SNO | Tram body only at old RNP site -awaiting decision of future | |
1753 | R-Class Tram | Clyde | Bogie | 1933 | 14.35 | 17.90 | 1999 | SFI | Body stored at Rozelle Depot-ex Citytram Assoc. | |
1798 | R-Class Tram | Clyde | Bogie | 1934 | 14.35 | 18.00 | 1999 | SNO | Body stored at HPOTS, Cessnock poor condition. | |
1808 | R-Class Tram | Clyde | Bogie | 1934 | 14.35 | 18.00 | 1999 | OOS | Restored at Bendigo in 2000 to operational condition. Stored at Melbourne in Preston Workshops. Leased to MOTAT in New Zealand Jan 2010. | |
1819 | R-Class Tram | Clyde | Bogie | 1934 | 14.35 | 18.00 | 2006 | SNO | Moved From Canberra Tradesmens Union Club. Stored at old RNP site*. | |
1917 | R-Class Tram | Bogie | 1935 | 14.35 | 18.00 | 2003 | SNO | Tram body only at old site - awaiting decision of
future. | ||
1923 | R-Class Tram | Bogie | 1935 | 14.35 | 17.90 | 1997 | SFI | Body stored at Rozelle Depot-ex Citytram Assoc. | ||
1933 | R/R1 class tram | Clyde | Bogie | 1935 | 14.35 | 17.90 | 1990 | SNO | Car preserved without motors. Currently used as Book Shop | |
1943 | R1-Class Tram | Clyde | Bogie | 1935 | 14.35 | 17.90 | 1997 | SFI | Body stored at Rozelle Depot-ex Citytram Assoc. Future to be decided-July 2012. | |
1951 | R1-Class Tram | Clyde | Bogie | 1935 | 14.35 | 17.90 | 1994 | SFI | Stored at Newstead, Victoria Partly restored | |
1971 | R1-Class Tram | Bogie | 1936 | 14.35 | 17.90 | 1979 | OOS | On loan -Operating at AETM at St Kilda in South Australia
in 2005 | ||
1971 | R1-Class Tram | Clyde | Bogie | 1936 | 14.35 | 17.90 | 1979 | OOS | On loan- Operating at AETM at St Kilda in South Australia in 2005 | |
1979 | R1-Class Tram | Clyde | Bogie | 1936 | 14.35 | 17.90 | 1974 | IO | ||
1980 | R1-Class Tram | Clyde | Bogie | 1936 | 14.35 | 17.90 | 1999 | SFI | Body stored at HPOTS, Cessnock poor condition. | |
1995 | R1-Class Tram | Comeng | Bogie | 1951 | 14.35 | 17.90 | 1997 | SFI | Tram stored at Rozelle Depot-ex Citytram Assoc. Cosmetically restored, adapted for retail use and displayed in the redeveloped Rozelle Depot . | |
2001 | R1-Class Tram | Comeng | Bogie | 1951 | 14.35 | 17.90 | 2001 | IO | Acquired by STM as a body in 2001. Restored at Bendigo in
2001 for the proposed Federation Tramways. Stored at Canberra until 7/10/2005. | |
2044 | R1-Class Tram | Comeng | Bogie | 1952 | 14.35 | 17.90 | 1983 | SNO | Car preserved without motors. Currently used as Traffic Office | |
2050 | R1-Class Tram | Comeng | Bogie | 1952 | 14.35 | 17.90 | 2011 | SFI | Tram stored at Rozelle Depot- originally owned by Sydney City Council now ownership passed to STM- | |
3 | Reciprocating Rail Grinder | S. and E. | Single truck | 1920 | 4.27 | 6.10 | 1971 | OOS | Operable -Converted to current design by MMTB in 1958. Loaned to MOTAT despatched from STM 11/05/2011. The Board approved a 2-year loan at the April 2011 meeting. | |
3 | Reciprocating Rail Grinder | S. and E. | Single truck | 1920 | 4.27 | 6.10 | 1971 | OOS | Operable -Converted to current design by MMTB in 1958. Loaned to MOTAT despatched from STM 11/05/2011. The Board approved a 2-year loan at the April 2011 meeting. | |
11W | Scrubber | Meadowbank | Single truck | 1908 | 8.89 | 10.90 | 2003 | SFO | Originally K-Class Tram 797, converted to scrubber in 1953 by NSWDOT and coded 139s. Sold to MMTB in 1961. Stored in Melbourne at Preston Workshops. | |
134s | Scrubber tram | Ritchie Brothers | Single truck | 1899 | 9.40 | 12.50 | 1961 | IOW | Originally D class tram 102, converted to scrubber in 1930 and coded 134s. Fully operational. | |
147s | Track Tamper | Single truck | IOW | Originally TDX45 on NSWGR register. At Lithgow for conversion. | ||||||
147s | Track Tamper | Single truck | IOW | Originally TDX45 on NSWGR register. Currently at Lithgow for conversion & to make operational. | ||||||
19 | Trolleybus | Ritchie Brothers | Trolleybus | 1937 | 9.30 | 8.80 | 1978 | URN | Under restoration | |
144s | Weed Burner | NSWGT | Single truck | 1956 | 3.00 | 3.60 | 1961 | IOS | ||
93u | Ballast Motor | Meadowbank | Bogie | 1913 | 12.65 | 18.90 | 1967 | URN | Restored for display only in 1991. | |
42s | Ballast Motor-U2 | NSWGT | Bogie | 1907 | 11.43 | 15.70 | 1981 | IOW | Numbered L707 in NSWGR service from 1926 to 1980. | |
Balmain Counterweight | Clyde | Single truck | 1903 | 3.28 | 2.00 | 1955 | IOS | Restored at HVTC in 1990. On display in Display Hall | ||
141s | Breakdown car | Meadowbank | Bogie | 1911 | 13.85 | 18.03 | 1964 | IOW | Originally O-Class Tram 1030, converted to breakdown car in 1955 by NSWDOT and coded 141s. |
Status Legend
- DCO Display condition only
- IO In Operation
- IOA In Operation - awaiting accreditation
- IOS In Operation - special days only
- IOW In Operation - Works vehicle
- OOS Operating Off Site
- SFI Stored off site - inoperable
- SFO Stored off site - operable
- SNO Stored on site - inoperable
- URF Under Restoration - Off site
- URN Under Restoration - On site
Publications
The Sydney Tramway Museum publishes Trolley Wire on behalf of most tramway museums around the country. Published quarterly, it carries articles on tramways around the world and news from the various Australasian heritage tramways.
References
- ↑ Belchert, Kahlia (27 October 2015) "Tramway relics lost" St George and Sutherland Shire Leader, p. 1, Retrieved 29 October 2015
- ↑ "Royal National Park services stopped" Railway Digest September 1991 page 314
- ↑ "National Park Line" Railway Digest May 1992 p. 194
- 1 2 "Sydney Tramway Museum Fleet Register" (PDF). Sydney Tramway Museum. Retrieved 28 December 2014.