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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.

Last year's commemoration was to mark fifty years - it was a huge affair and we were delighted with all the publicity and the huge crowds who responded to the two days of showcasing our wonderful trams and the rides especially of our earliest models. It took us more than six months of preparation. Clearly, we can't do this every year.

But it will be an absolutely great Sunday and, as in past years, we'll have some of earliest trams out for rides.