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factoids

|established=1965|location=Pitt Street, Loftus, New South Wales, Australia|type=Tramway museum|car_park=On site|website=www.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

File:Tram stop at Sydney Tramway Museum.jpg|thumb|Former Railway SquareRailway SquareFile:2020-04-19 Royal National Park railway line, Sydney.jpg|thumb|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.Looking Back Trolley Wire issue 105 August 1966 page 7 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.SPER Tramway Museum Officially Opened Railway Digest February 1965 page 9Australia’s Newest Electric Railway Railway Transportation April 1965 page 5In 1975, the Government of New South Wales approved the museum moving to a new site across the Princes Highway adjacent to Loftus railway station.Sydney Tramway Museum Trolley Wire issue 158 June 1975 page 18 Construction commenced in April 1980, with the first trams transferred from the old site in November 1982.South Pacific Electric Railway Trolley Wire issue 188 June 1980 page 31Trams on the Move Trolley Wire issue 203 December 1982 page 31 It officially opened on 19 March 1988.New Sydney Tramway Museum Opens Trolley Wire issue 233 May 1988 pages 3-5The End of the Beginning Trolley Wire issue 233 May 1988 pages 6-18 The former Railway Square tramway shelter that had been disassembled in 1973 was reassembled.Railway Square Waiting Shed and Signal Box Trolley Wire issue 245 May 1991 page 30Railway Square Australian Bus Panorama issue 11/1 July 1995 page 20 The last tram left the Royal National Park in May 1989.Last Trams Leave National Park Trolley Wire issue 238 August 1989 page 42In 1989, a traverser from Comeng’s Granville factory was purchased.Traverser Trolley Wire issue 239 November 1989 page 31 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.Parklink - Across Highway One Trolley Wire issue 253 May 1993 page 9By tram to the National Park Railway Gazette International June 1993 page 367In 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.Tram museum needs $300k St George & Sutherland Shire Leader 10 October 2012 The gates from the original Gladesville Bridge were installed as the depot gates in 2010.Loftus Trolley Wire issue 322 August 2010 page 38On 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.www.theleader.com.au/story/3445143/fire-destroys-loftus-tram-storage-shed-police-suspect-arson-gallery/" title="web.archive.org/web/20151026145722www.theleader.com.au/story/3445143/fire-destroys-loftus-tram-storage-shed-police-suspect-arson-gallery/">Fire destroys Loftus tram storage shed, police suspect arson St George & Sutherland Shire Leader 25 October 2015The 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.Filming locations of Ladies in Black {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809115735www.imdb.com/title/tt6684884/locations?ref_=tt_dt_dt |date=9 August 2022 }} IMDb

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 {{convert|4|km|mi}} of track. One line runs {{convert|1.5|km|mi}} north towards Sutherland, paralleling Rawson Avenue in the way that parts of Sydney’s tram system operated. The second runs {{convert|2.5|km|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.Royal National Park services stopped Railway Digest September 1991 page 314In 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.National Park Line Railway Digest May 1992 page 194 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{| class“toccolours” style@width: 100%; font-size:95%;”

! colspan=“10” bgcolor=“#FFB300” | Rolling StockWEB, Sydney Tramway Museum Fleet Register,www.sydneytramwaymuseum.com.au/sms/STM6065.pdf,www.sydneytramwaymuseum.com.au/sms/STM6065.pdf," title="web.archive.org/web/20150610210158www.sydneytramwaymuseum.com.au/sms/STM6065.pdf,">web.archive.org/web/20150610210158www.sydneytramwaymuseum.com.au/sms/STM6065.pdf, dead, 2015-06-10, Sydney Tramway Museum, December 2014, !No!!Description!!Manufacturer!!Type!!YearBuilt!!Lengthm!!Weightt!!DateAcquired!!Status!!Comments-style=background:#E5E5FFSydney C-Class Tram>C-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.-style=background:#E5E5FFSydney C-Class Tram>C-Class TramHudson BrosSingle truck18987.628.601961IOConverted to breakdown car 60s in 1910. Converted back to passenger in 1995 at STM. Operational in 2001.-style=background:#E5E5FFSydney C-Class Tram>C-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 Bus Depot. Body only recovered in 1995 from Newcastle Tramway Museum, Rutherford, New South Wales>Rutherford. Being restored in Bendigo to double deck tram.-style=background:#E5E5FFSydney C-Class Tram>C-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.-style=background:#E5E5FFSydney C-Class Tram>C-Class TramMorrisonSingle truck18967.938.601957IOSConverted to breakdown car 115s in 1927 by NSWDOT. Restored to Passenger tram by SPER.Ritchie Brothers>|Sydney D-Class Tram>D-Class TramClyde Engineering>|-style=background:#E5E5FFSydney E-Class Tram>E-Class TramClydeSingle truck19038.3710.201957URNUnder restoration-style=background:#E5E5FFSydney E-Class Tram>E-Class TramClydeSingle truck19038.3710.201957URNUnder restorationSydney F-Class Tram>F-Class TramClydeBogie190211.7513.001957IOSConverted to Eye Sight car 127s in 1927. Restored to original condition at STM.|-style=background:#E5E5FFSydney J-Class Tram>J-Class TramMeadowbank Manufacturing Company>|-style=background:#E5E5FFSydney K-Class Tram>K-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. ScrappedSydney K-Class Tram>K-Class TramMeadowbankSingle truck19138.8910.901957DCO-style=background:#E5E5FFSydney F-Class Tram>L/P-Class TramClydeBogie190012.4515.201957IOBuilt as an Sydney F-Class Tram and converted to L class in 1910. Converted to L/P in 1926>|-style=background:#E5E5FFSydney F-Class Tram>L/P-Class TramClydeBogie190112.4515.201995SFIBody stored at HPOTS, Cessnock, New South Wales poor condition.>|-style=background:#E5E5FFSydney F-Class Tram>L/P-Class TramClydeBogie190112.4515.201995SFIBody stored at HPOTS, Cessnock poor condition-style=background:#E5E5FFSydney F-Class Tram>L/P-Class TramClydeBogie190112.4515.201995SFIBody stored at HPOTS, Cessnock poor condition-style=background:#E5E5FFSydney N-Class Tram>N-Class TramMeadowbankBogie190611.9915.102007ScrappedStored at Old site, RNP* poor condition of body. Burnt in fire in 2015. ScrappedSydney N-Class Tram>N-Class TramMeadowbankBogie190611.9915.101995SFIStored at HPOTS, Cessnock poor condition of bodySydney N-Class Tram>N-Class TramMeadowbankBogie190611.9915.101957IOS-style=background:#E5E5FFSydney O-Class Tram>O-Class TramMeadowbankBogie190913.5817.801995SFIStored at HPOTS, Cessnock poor condition of body-style=background:#E5E5FFSydney O-Class Tram>O-Class TramMeadowbankBogie191013.5817.801978URNUnder restoration-style=background:#E5E5FFSydney O-Class Tram>O-Class TramMeadowbankBogie191213.5817.801959IOOldest tram in regular operationSydney O/P-Class Tram>O/P-Class TramMeadowbankBogie191213.5817.901974URNOriginally an Sydney O-Class Tram; rebuilt by NSWDOT to O/P on 15 June 1920. Under restoration>||-style=background:#E5E5FFSydney P-Class Tram>P-Class TramNSWGTBogie192213.8516.901961IO-style=background:#E5E5FFSydney P-Class Tram>P-Class TramNSWGTBogie192213.8516.901999SFIStored at Bendigo pending review for restoration-style=background:#E5E5FFSydney P-Class Tram>P-Class TramMorts Dock & Engineering Co>|Sydney P-Class Tram>P/R1-Class TramMeadowbankBogie192313.8518.601965SNOP car rebuilt as PR1 in 1949 by NSWDOT. To be restored|-style=background:#E5E5FFSydney R-Class Tram>R-Class TramClydeBogie193314.3518.001961IO-style=background:#E5E5FFSydney R-Class Tram>R-Class TramClydeBogie193314.3518.002003SNOBurnt in fire in 2015-style=background:#E5E5FFSydney R-Class Tram>R-Class TramClydeBogie193314.3517.901999SFIBody stored at Rozelle Depot-ex Citytram Assoc.-style=background:#E5E5FFSydney R-Class Tram>R-Class TramClydeBogie193414.3518.001999SNOBody stored at HPOTS, Cessnock poor condition.-style=background:#E5E5FFSydney R-Class Tram>R-Class TramClydeBogie193414.3518.001999OOSRestored at Bendigo in 2000 to operational condition. Stored at Melbourne in Preston Workshops. Leased to Museum of Transport and Technology 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.>|-style=background:#E5E5FFSydney R-Class Tram>R-Class TramClydeBogie193414.3518.002006ScrappedMoved From Canberra Tradesmens Union Club. Stored at old RNP site*. Burnt in fire in 2015. Scrapped-style=background:#E5E5FFSydney R-Class Tram>R-Class TramBogie193514.3518.002003ScrappedBurnt in fire in 2015. Scrapped-style=background:#E5E5FFSydney R-Class Tram>R-Class TramBogie193514.3517.901997SFIBody stored at Rozelle Depot-ex Citytram Assoc.Sydney R1-Class Tram>R/R1 class tramClydeBogie193514.3517.901990SNOCar preserved without motors. Currently used as Book Shop-style=background:#E5E5FFSydney R1-Class Tram>R1-Class TramClydeBogie193514.3517.901997SFIBody stored at Rozelle Depot-ex Citytram Assoc. Future to be decided-July 2012.-style=background:#E5E5FFSydney R1-Class Tram>R1-Class TramClydeBogie193514.3517.901994SFIStored at Newstead, Victoria Partly restored-style=background:#E5E5FF|-style=background:#E5E5FFSydney R1-Class Tram>R1-Class TramClydeBogie193614.3517.901979OOSOn loan, operating at Tramway Museum, St Kilda in South Australia in 2005-style=background:#E5E5FFSydney R1-Class Tram>R1-Class TramClydeBogie193614.3517.901974IO -style=background:#E5E5FFSydney R1-Class Tram>R1-Class TramClydeBogie193614.3517.901999SFIBody stored at HPOTS, Cessnock poor condition.-style=background:#E5E5FFSydney R1-Class Tram>R1-Class TramCommonwealth Engineering>Rozelle Tram Depot>|-style=background:#E5E5FFSydney R1-Class Tram>R1-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.-style=background:#E5E5FFSydney R1-Class Tram>R1-Class TramComengBogie195214.3517.901983SNOCar preserved without motors. Currently used as Traffic Office-style=background:#E5E5FFSydney R1-Class Tram>R1-Class TramComengBogie195214.3517.902011SFITram stored at Rozelle Depot- originally owned by Sydney City Council now ownership passed to STM--Style=background:#E5E5FFStadler Variobahn>VariotramAdtranz, 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 certificationPreservation & Tourist Railway Digest November 2018 page 52-Style=background:#E5E5FFBath, Somerset>Bath Single truck19204.276.101971OOSOperable, converted to current design by Melbourne & Metropolitan Tramways Board in 1958. Loaned to MOTAT despatched from STM May 2011, overhauled and shipped back to Sydney, September 2017>| -style=background:#E5E5FFSydney K-Class Tram>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 2019Sydney D-Class Tram>Scrubber tramRitchie BrothersSingle truck18999.4012.501961IOWOriginally D class tram 102, converted to scrubber in 1930 and coded 134s, operational.-style=background:#E5E5FFNew South Wales Government Railways>NSWGR register. Currently at Lithgow, New South Wales for conversion and to make operational.>|AEC 664T >|-style=background:#E5E5FFClyde Engineering>WaddingtonsLeyland Tiger (front-engined) >|-style=background:#E5E5FFAEC Regent III >|-style=background:#E5E5FF||Restored for display only in 1991.-style=background:#E5E5FF|Numbered L707 in NSWGR service from 1926 to 1980.-style=background:#E5E5FFDarling Street#Trams>Balmain CounterweightClydeSingle truck19033.282.001955IOSRestored at Hunter Valley Training Company in 1990. On display in Display Hall-style=background:#E5E5FFSydney O-Class Tram>O-Class Tram 1030, converted to breakdown car in 1955 by NSWDOT and coded 141s.-style=background:#E5E5FFZ-class Melbourne tram#Z2-class>Z2-Class TramComengBogie197916.5219.202003IO111 mostly operates during Autumn, Winter and Spring-style=background:#E5E5FFW-class Melbourne tram#W2/SW2>W2-Class TramMooreBogie192414.6316.521996URNIn Federal Capital Commission Tramways Livery. Repainting in progress -style=background:#E5E5FFY1-class Melbourne tram>Y1-Class TramMMTBBogie193013.7220.092014IO-style=background:#E5E5FFTrams in Brisbane#Dreadnoughts>Brisbane Dreadnought TramGardinerBogie192411.5812.201964IO-style=background:#E5E5FFTrams in Brisbane#Dropcentres>Brisbane Dropcentre TramBrisbane City CouncilBogie193013.8715.301968IO-style=background:#E5E5FFTrams in Brisbane#Four Motor (FM) trams>Brisbane FM ClassBrisbane City CouncilBogie196314.9416.101969IO-style=background:#E5E5FFPeter Witt streetcar >Società Italiana Ernesto Breda>BredaBogie192913.8915.002001URNWill 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-style=background:#E5E5FFPCC streetcar>PCC Tram St Louis Car CompanyBogie194815.3718.201987URNDonated as Australian Bicentenary gift in 1988. Awaiting parts. Former San Francisco Municipal Railway tram>|-style=background:#E5E5FFNagasaki Electric Tramway Class 1050 >Trolley Wire issue 255 November 1993 pages 3-5 Donated as bicentenary gift. Involved in accident with J675 May 2016. Repairs completed and re-entered service in early 2018>|-style=background:#E5E5FFTrams in Munich >Trolley Wire issue 277 May 1999 pages 3-14>|-style=background:#E5E5FFTrams in Munich >|

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.WEB,portal.engineersaustralia.org.au/heritage/sydney-tramway-museum-1950, Sydney Tramway Museum, 1950 –, Engineers Australia, 2020-05-08, 21 March 2022,web.archive.org/web/20220321165450/https://portal.engineersaustralia.org.au/heritage/sydney-tramway-museum-1950, live,

See also

• List of rail transport–related periodicals

References

{{reflist}}

External links

{{Commons category}}

• Sydney Tramway Museum website

{{SydneyTramNavbox}}{{TramsAustralia}}