It's on again!
Sydney's Vintage Tramway Festival
Sunday, 26th February
Normal schedules resume: Sundays, 10 - 5; Wednesdays, 10 - 3
Fifty-one years after the final closure of Sydney's once huge tramway system, the Sydney Tramway Museum will commemorate the occasion with a day for all tram enthusiasts.
As usual at these annual festivals, trams not often seen out on the tracks will be busily transporting enthusiasts on this day. At this stage, it is too early to say which ones will be out but two regulars are safe bets to be transporting our visitors.
Some of most recently re-painted trams will put on a great show.
Iconic O car, 1111, underwent a complete paint job and revealed itself in its immaculate best decked out in the beautiful post 1933 livery of green and cream. Most Sydney tram buffs are aware that this model, the first in Sydney to sport four motors, with its large wheels to provide high speed and multiple unit equipment was so successful that it ran all lines (at some time at least) except the two most hilly lines, Watsons Bay and Neutral Bay and that 626 were built..
The other is the final corridor model the R1 class, 1979. Ian Hanson and his topclass team completed the beautiful job of restoration of this tram, its gleaming gleaming livery and varnished interior demonstrating that the leather seats were not the only aspect of luxury to be enjoyed on this tram.
One other likely tram to be showcased out on the tracks is the half length cross bench car designed with the hilly Watsons Bay line in mind. Recently restored in Bendigo, much of the timber has had to be replaced and carefully sought so the whole car has a brand new look. We refer, of course, to the J car number 675. Here it sports a wheel frame (we call the fixed variety a truck) with a slightly longer than original wheel base giving it a much smoother ride.
It will be an absolutely great Sunday and, as in past years, we'll have some of earliest trams out for rides.
Why do we have a Sydney Tramway Museum?
For a century, trams were an important part of everyday life in Sydney, taking people to work, school, the beaches, the footy and cricket, the races, the "pictures" and even the Royal Easter Show. Wouldn't it be great to wind back the clock to the days when a fleet of 1,400 trams – more than twice as many as Melbourne has today – ran along 180 miles (about 290km) of routes?
You can... at the Sydney Tramway Museum! Jump on a classic early model tram, or a "modern" corridor tram. You'll also see trams from other states and overseas. In our Display Hall, see the unique prison tram used for transport between Long Bay Gaol and Darlinghurst Court House for more than 40 years.
The Sydney Tramway Museum provides a nostalgic and educational insight into the lifestyle of Sydneysiders during the 100 year period of tramway operation from 1861 to 1961, with running and restoration works-in-progress, exhibits and photos depicting the development and operation of tramways during this period.
Visitors to Sydney and those just keen to experience the past are welcome to simply call in at our advertised times for a pleasant and interesting day.
