Sydney Tramway Museum
Established1965
LocationPitt Street, Loftus, New South Wales, Australia
Coordinates34°02′40″S 151°03′07″E / 34.044321°S 151.051966°E / -34.044321; 151.051966
TypeTramway museum
Nearest car parkOn site
Websitewww.sydneytramwaymuseum.com.au

The Sydney Tramway Museum (operated by the South Pacific Electric Railway) is Australia's oldest tramway museum and the largest in the southern hemisphere. It is located at Loftus in the southern suburbs of Sydney.

History

Former Railway Square tram stop re-erected at the Sydney Tramway Museum in July 2016
Royal National Park line in April 2020

'Construction of the museum at its original site on the edge of the Royal National Park commenced in August 1956.[1] It was officially opened in March 1965 by NSW Deputy Premier Pat Hills. The facilities were basic, initially a four-track shed built with second hand materials and approximately 800 metres of running track.[2][3]

In 1975, the Government of New South Wales approved the museum moving to a new site across the Princes Highway adjacent to Loftus railway station.[4] Construction commenced in April 1980, with the first trams transferred from the old site in November 1982.[5][6] It officially opened on 19 March 1988.[7][8] The former Railway Square tramway shelter that had been disassembled in 1973 was reassembled.[9][10] The last tram left the Royal National Park in May 1989.[11]

In 1989, a traverser from Comeng's Granville factory was purchased.[12] Following CityRail closing the two kilometre Royal National Park line in 1991, the museum was able to commence operating services on the line on 1 May 1993.[13][14]

In 2001, the museum was the recipient of the YMCA facade, that was previously located at the corner of Pitt and Bathurst Street in the Sydney central business district. The facade was relocated by Meriton to make way for a new building being constructed at the same location. This huge impressive sandstone structure dating from the 1880s makes a spectacular backdrop when entering the museum complex from the front gates. The building is not finished yet, and is still being worked on as funding permits.[15] The gates from the original Gladesville Bridge were installed as the depot gates in 2010.[16]

On 23 October 2015, the museum storage shed was broken into by vandals and caught fire. Located off the main museum site, at the museum's 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 in the blaze.[17]

The 2018 film Ladies in Black had both live action scenes and film stock for CGI segments filmed around the Railway Square Waiting Shed that is located in the southern end of the museum site.[18]

Operations

The museum has an extensive collection of trams from Sydney and other cities in Australia, as well as from other places around the world. The museum operates 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) of track. One line runs 1.5 kilometres (0.93 mi) north towards Sutherland, paralleling Rawson Avenue in the way that parts of Sydney's tram system operated. The second runs 2.5 kilometres (1.6 mi) to the south and utilises the Royal National Park branch railway line that was constructed in 1886 and closed by CityRail in June 1991.[19]

In 1993, the museum converted the line to tramway standards and connected it to the then existing Sutherland line to establish what is now a popular means of access to the world's second oldest national park.[14][20] The line terminates at Royal National Park railway station.

The museum opens and operates trams on Wednesdays, Sundays, public holidays (except Christmas Day) and on selected weekdays during school holidays.

The Sydney Tramway Museum is run entirely by volunteers and self funds its day-to-day activities, restorations, maintenance and construction programs from gate takings and donations from the generous public.

Preservation

Rolling Stock[21]
NoDescriptionManufacturerTypeYear
Built		Length
m		Weight
t		Date
Acquired		StatusComments
12C-Class TramHudson BrosSingle truck18997.628.601997ScrappedConverted 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. Burnt and scrapped after the fire.
29C-Class TramHudson BrosSingle truck18987.628.601961IOConverted to breakdown car 60s in 1910. Converted back to passenger in 1995 at STM. Operational in 2001.
33C-Class TramHudson BrosSingle truck18987.628.601995URFConverted to experimental double deck car in 1907 and lasted until 1908. Converted to breakdown car 33s in 1924 at Randwick Workshop. Body only recovered in 1995 from Newcastle Tramway Museum, Rutherford. Being restored in Bendigo to double deck tram.
37C-Class TramHudson BrosSingle truck18997.628.602010URNSold in 1924. Donated by the Tradesmens Union Club, Canberra in 2010. Moved to Sydney 20 April 2010 for restoration and to be sent to Christchurch, NZ on completion.
290C-Class TramMorrisonSingle truck18967.938.601957IOSConverted to breakdown car 115s in 1927 by NSWDOT. Restored to Passenger tram by SPER.
23Cable trailerRitchie BrothersSingle truck18945.642.501976DCOUnder restoration
117D-Class TramClydeSingle truck18999.409.661994URNConverted to breakdown car 112s in 1913 by NSWDOT. Major restoration back to passenger car
529E-Class TramClydeSingle truck19038.3710.201957URNUnder restoration
530E-Class TramClydeSingle truck19038.3710.201957URNUnder restoration
393F-Class TramClydeBogie190211.7513.001957IOSConverted to Eye Sight car 127s in 1927. Restored to original condition at STM.
24sFreight carNSWGTBogie19039.6012.701957IOSCar preserved without motors. Body restored for display.
675J-Class TramMeadowbankSingle truck19048.8911.701996IORestored to operating condition. In service 2009. Out of service after accident with Nagasaki 1054
1295K-Class TramMeadowbankSingle truck19138.8910.901997ScrappedOriginally donated to NSW Tramway Historical Society. Body in poor condition. Stored at old RNP site depot. Burnt in a fire in 2015. Scrapped
1296K-Class TramMeadowbankSingle truck19138.8910.901957DCO
154L/P-Class TramClydeBogie190012.4515.201957IOBuilt as an F-Class Tram and converted to L class in 1910. Converted to L/P in 1926
257L/P-Class TramClydeBogie190112.4515.201995SFIBody stored at HPOTS, Cessnock poor condition.
298L/P-Class TramClydeBogie190112.4515.201995SFIBody stored at HPOTS, Cessnock poor condition
341L/P-Class TramClydeBogie190112.4515.201995SFIBody stored at HPOTS, Cessnock poor condition
710N-Class TramMeadowbankBogie190611.9915.102007ScrappedStored at Old site, RNP* poor condition of body. Burnt in fire in 2015. Scrapped
718N-Class TramMeadowbankBogie190611.9915.101995SFIStored at HPOTS, Cessnock poor condition of body
728N-Class TramMeadowbankBogie190611.9915.101957IOS
824O-Class TramMeadowbankBogie190913.5817.801995SFIStored at HPOTS, Cessnock poor condition of body
957O-Class TramMeadowbankBogie191013.5817.801978URNUnder restoration
1111O-Class TramMeadowbankBogie191213.5817.801959IOOldest tram in regular operation
1089O/P-Class TramMeadowbankBogie191213.5817.901974URNOriginally an O-Class Tram; rebuilt by NSWDOT to O/P on 15 June 1920. Under restoration
99uOverhead Line carMeadowbankBogie191312.6518.901959IOWOperational
1497P-Class TramNSWGTBogie192213.8516.901961IO
1501P-Class TramNSWGTBogie192213.8516.901999SFIStored at Bendigo pending review for restoration
1729P-Class TramMorts DockBogie192913.8516.902010URNDonated by the Tradesmens Union Club, Canberra in 2010. Moved to Sydney 24 January 2010. Under restoration. New P type bogies fitted 10/11/18. Currently awaiting further restoration due to workshop queue
1573P/R1-Class TramMeadowbankBogie192313.8518.601965SNOP car rebuilt as PR1 in 1949 by NSWDOT. To be restored
948Prison TramNSWGTBogie190912.0415.601957DCOCar preserved without motors.
1740R-Class TramClydeBogie193314.3518.001961IO
1741R-Class TramClydeBogie193314.3518.002003SNOBurnt in fire in 2015
1753R-Class TramClydeBogie193314.3517.901999SFIBody stored at Rozelle Depot-ex Citytram Assoc.
1798R-Class TramClydeBogie193414.3518.001999SNOBody stored at HPOTS, Cessnock poor condition.
1808R-Class TramClydeBogie193414.3518.001999OOSRestored at Bendigo in 2000 to operational condition. Stored at Melbourne in Preston Workshops. Leased to MOTAT in New Zealand December 2009 and used in Auckland until June 2017. Transported to Christchurch for Welcome Aboard Limited's Christchurch City Tramway August 2017.
1819R-Class TramClydeBogie193414.3518.002006ScrappedMoved From Canberra Tradesmens Union Club. Stored at old RNP site*. Burnt in fire in 2015. Scrapped
1917R-Class TramBogie193514.3518.002003ScrappedBurnt in fire in 2015. Scrapped
1923R-Class TramBogie193514.3517.901997SFIBody stored at Rozelle Depot-ex Citytram Assoc.
1933R/R1 class tramClydeBogie193514.3517.901990SNOCar preserved without motors. Currently used as Book Shop
1943R1-Class TramClydeBogie193514.3517.901997SFIBody stored at Rozelle Depot-ex Citytram Assoc. Future to be decided-July 2012.
1951R1-Class TramClydeBogie193514.3517.901994SFIStored at Newstead, Victoria Partly restored
1971R1-Class TramClydeBogie193614.3517.901979OOSOn loan, operating at Tramway Museum, St Kilda in South Australia in 2005
1979R1-Class TramClydeBogie193614.3517.901974IO
1980R1-Class TramClydeBogie193614.3517.901999SFIBody stored at HPOTS, Cessnock poor condition.
1995R1-Class TramComengBogie195114.3517.901997SFICosmetically restored for display in the redeveloped Rozelle Tram Depot
2001R1-Class TramComengBogie195114.3517.902001IOAcquired by STM as a body in 2001. Restored at Bendigo in 2001 for the proposed Federation Tramways. Overhaul Complete December 2019, In Temporary Service. Will be Withdrawn for repainting to green and cream livery in January 2020. Repainting complete October 2020.
2044R1-Class TramComengBogie195214.3517.901983SNOCar preserved without motors. Currently used as Traffic Office
2050R1-Class TramComengBogie195214.3517.902011SFITram stored at Rozelle Depot- originally owned by Sydney City Council now ownership passed to STM-
2107VariotramAdtranz, Dandenong5 Module Low floor199729.536.52018DCOEx Sydney Light Rail, acquired by Transport Heritage NSW and placed on permanent loan with STM in October 2018, operational awaiting certification[22]
3Reciprocating Rail GrinderS&E Co, BathSingle truck19204.276.101971OOSOperable, converted to current design by MMTB in 1958. Loaned to MOTAT despatched from STM May 2011, overhauled and shipped back to Sydney, September 2017
11WScrubberMeadowbankSingle truck19088.8910.902003SFOOriginally 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 until 2015, retutned to service in 2019
134sScrubber tramRitchie BrothersSingle truck18999.4012.501961IOWOriginally D class tram 102, converted to scrubber in 1930 and coded 134s, operational.
147sTrack TamperSingle truckIOWOriginally TDX45 on NSWGR register. Currently at Lithgow for conversion and to make operational.
19TrolleybusRitchie BrothersAEC 664T19379.308.801978URNUnder restoration
1275BusWaddingtonsLeyland Tiger1937Operational
2619BusClydeAEC Regent III1952Operational
144sWeed BurnerNSWGTSingle truck19563.003.601961IOS
93uBallast MotorMeadowbankBogie191312.6518.901967URNRestored for display only in 1991.
42sBallast Motor-U2NSWGTBogie190711.4315.701981IOWNumbered L707 in NSWGR service from 1926 to 1980.
Balmain CounterweightClydeSingle truck19033.282.001955IOSRestored at Hunter Valley Training Company in 1990. On display in Display Hall
141sBreakdown carMeadowbankBogie191113.8518.031964IOWOriginally O-Class Tram 1030, converted to breakdown car in 1955 by NSWDOT and coded 141s.
111Z2-Class TramComengBogie197916.5219.202003IO111 mostly operates during Autumn, Winter and Spring
249W2-Class TramMooreBogie192414.6316.521996URNIn Federal Capital Commission Tramways Livery. Repainting in progress
611Y1-Class TramMMTBBogie193013.7220.092014IO
180Brisbane Dreadnought TramGardinerBogie192411.5812.201964IO
295Brisbane Dropcentre TramBrisbane City CouncilBogie193013.8715.301968IO
548Brisbane FM ClassBrisbane City CouncilBogie196314.9416.101969IO
1692Peter Witt streetcarBredaBogie192913.8915.002001URNWill enter service once modifications are made to overhead and air compressor issues are resolved. Former Milan ATM Class 1500 tram. Based at Brunswick tram depot before transfer to Sydney
1014PCC TramSt Louis Car CompanyBogie194815.3718.201987URNDonated as bicentenary gift in 1988. Awaiting parts. Former San Francisco Municipal Railway tram
1054Nagasaki Electric Tramway Class 1050Nigata Iron WorksBogie195211.4014.301992IOIn Sendai, Japan the number was 121. Regauged and sent to Nagasaki Tramway system.[23] Donated as bicentenary gift. Involved in accident with J675 May 2016. Repairs completed and re-entered service in early 2018
2656Trams in MunichWaggonfabri Joseph RathgeberBogie19651999Donated 1999[24]
2666Trams in MunichWaggonfabri Joseph RathgeberBogie19651999Donated 1999[24]

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.

Engineering heritage award

The museum received a Historic Engineering Marker from Engineers Australia as part of its Engineering Heritage Recognition Program.[25]

References

  1. ↑ Looking Back Trolley Wire issue 105 August 1966 page 7
  2. ↑ SPER Tramway Museum Officially Opened Railway Digest February 1965 page 9
  3. ↑ Australia's Newest Electric Railway Railway Transportation April 1965 page 5
  4. ↑ Sydney Tramway Museum Trolley Wire issue 158 June 1975 page 18
  5. ↑ South Pacific Electric Railway Trolley Wire issue 188 June 1980 page 31
  6. ↑ Trams on the Move Trolley Wire issue 203 December 1982 page 31
  7. ↑ New Sydney Tramway Museum Opens Trolley Wire issue 233 May 1988 pages 3-5
  8. ↑ The End of the Beginning Trolley Wire issue 233 May 1988 pages 6-18
  9. ↑ Railway Square Waiting Shed and Signal Box Trolley Wire issue 245 May 1991 page 30
  10. ↑ Railway Square Australian Bus Panorama issue 11/1 July 1995 page 20
  11. ↑ Last Trams Leave National Park Trolley Wire issue 238 August 1989 page 42
  12. ↑ Traverser Trolley Wire issue 239 November 1989 page 31
  13. ↑ Parklink - Across Highway One Trolley Wire issue 253 May 1993 page 9
  14. 1 2 By tram to the National Park Railway Gazette International June 1993 page 367
  15. ↑ Tram museum needs $300k St George & Sutherland Shire Leader 10 October 2012
  16. ↑ Loftus Trolley Wire issue 322 August 2010 page 38
  17. ↑ Fire destroys Loftus tram storage shed, police suspect arson St George & Sutherland Shire Leader 25 October 2015
  18. ↑ Filming locations of Ladies in Black Archived 9 August 2022 at the Wayback Machine IMDb
  19. ↑ Royal National Park services stopped Railway Digest September 1991 page 314
  20. ↑ National Park Line Railway Digest May 1992 page 194
  21. ↑ "Sydney Tramway Museum Fleet Register" (PDF). Sydney Tramway Museum. December 2014. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 June 2015.
  22. ↑ Preservation & Tourist Railway Digest November 2018 page 52
  23. ↑ The Acquisition of Nagasaki 1054 Trolley Wire issue 255 November 1993 pages 3-5
  24. 1 2 Munchen to Sydney Trolley Wire issue 277 May 1999 pages 3-14
  25. ↑ "Sydney Tramway Museum, 1950 –". Engineers Australia. Archived from the original on 21 March 2022. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
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