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?
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.
Schools and community groups, ranging from Probus Clubs, Service Clubs, tour groups and vacation care centres find the Museum a fascinating place to visit with guided tours, tailored to each group's needs, ensuring a worthwhile and enjoyable educational experience. |
The Museum's operational fleet includes not only an extensive
collection of Sydney trams from 1896 to 1952, but also trams from Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Ballarat, San Francisco, Nagasaki, Berlin,
Munich and Milan, enabling comparisons between the different tramcar
designs. A double-deck tram from Hobart and a Brill-built bogie
car of 1902 from the Western Australian gold-mining city of Kalgoorlie
still have to be restored. The Museum also houses Sydney's last remaining
double-deck trolley-bus.
The museum is located
within the Sutherland Shire in southern Sydney and is adjacent to
Loftus Railway Station. The Museum's trams operate over three and
half a kilometres of its own tram routes.
After a journey starting at Sydney's historic Railway Square Waiting Shed,
unpack your hamper in our Lakewood picnic
area. Two electric barbecues are available for use here.
Stroll through the Museum's collections and learn the important
role played by trams in the development of Sydney in the early decades
of the twentieth century. Learn about the Museum's history — even find out how you
can provide support!
Last updated
by Peter McCallum 28th April, 2008
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