The journey of the mock-up Parramatta Urbos LRV 2161 to Loftus, is a long and storied history going to back to 2019, when the mock up module was ordered by Transport for NSW to observe the following: the layout comparisons of a double door CAF Urbos 100 LRV to be used on the Parramatta Light Rail versus the single door CAF Urbos 3 LRVs already in use on the L1 Dulwich Hill and Newcastle lines, observe average passenger flows and what PID screen layouts would look the best. To this end, the mock-up was constructed and delivered by CAF before being put into storage in a warehouse in Smithfield. In early January 2020, our then chairman Howard Clark received a call from TfNSW asking if the Sydney Tramway Museum would be interested in the mock up for display purposes, upon conclusion of filming promo videos and a planned display at the 2020 Sydney Royal Easter Show. Howard communicated the enquiry with some Board Directors and other museum members resulting in himself, Danny Adamopoulos, Scott Curnow and Chris Olsen heading out to Smithfield to inspect the mock-up and take measurements to determine if it could fit at the museum, where it was determined that the mock-up could fit in the ground floor of the YMCA building, which was allocated as the permanent bookshop and kiosk. The initial plan was that the mock-up was to be used for the 2020 Royal Easter show in April, and then transported to the museum after the show concluded. But world events took precedence with the COVID-19 pandemic taking grip, resulting in the severe lockdowns. The Easter Show for that year never took place and the mock-up remained in storage.
In early May 2020, Howard was contacted again by TfNSW advising that the tram had to be relocated by end of the financial year – June 30th 2020 – or it would be broken up on site. After some negotiations, TfSNW generously agreed to cover the cost of the transport from Smithfield to Loftus as originally planned, in addition to covering the cost of a concrete pad for the mock-up to sit on in the YMCA ground floor. The Parramatta Urbos mock-up was to be the first occupant of the YMCA building – itself relocated from the Sydney CBD in 2001 – and became the catalyst for the completion of the new retail space’s initial phase. The rush was on; we had 6 weeks to prepare the ground floor space for the mock-up’s arrival. The ground floor area had spent 19 years accumulating “stuff”; all of which had to be relocated elsewhere. The impending arrival kicked off a good clean up, resulting in many items being relocated or consolidated, and some non-required items making a new home at the tip. Our regular long term excavation contractor and museum member David Cannini got to work, clearing and levelling off the area in preparation for the concrete floor to be put in. An outside contractor was brought in to do the mass concrete pour, whilst electrical & comms cable trays and plumbing pipes were installed and the ceiling and concrete rear wall were painted in preparation by Chris Olsen and Danny Adamopoulos. By mid-June, all was ready. The transport company hired by TfNSW came out to double check the location, identify access for trucks, take measurements and develop a plan of attack for the placement of the tram mock-up inside the shop area. Now we were struck with a new challenge; now that the area was cleared and empty, it was easier to take more accurate measurements than the previous initial visit by the transport company. After much measuring and re-measuring, it was discovered the tram wouldn’t fit in the shop in one piece; we were about 300mm short in turning space between the columns of the building. So after much discussion, more measuring and brainstorming with the transport company it was decided we would cut the tram mock up into 2 halves and then install the 2 pieces one at a time and then rejoin the tram together again in its final position. All this had to be done in a 24 hour period. It sounded like a great idea at the time! The day was locked in for Tuesday 30th June for the delivery, Wednesday 1st July for installation.
On Monday 29th June, the tram mock up was loaded at the warehouse where it had been located the preceding 9 months, ready to be transported to the Loftus. The next day it arrived at the museum around lunch time and was unloaded in the street outside the YMCA building by 3pm. By 4pm Danny Adamopoulos and Chris Olsen had started to pull off the roof valances and covers, the flooring and began marking out the cut lines, then commenced the herculean task of cutting the mock up body in half. Stopping only for toilet breaks and a quick pizza for dinner, in a 12 hour marathon effort using a variety of reciprocating saws, hand saws and circular saws, Chris and Danny managed to neatly and expertly cut the mock-up in half. Both were helped by David Bennet, who kept us with a fresh supply of recharged batteries and sharp blades for the saws. Finally finishing and leaving the site at 4am, Chris, Danny and David went home for a shower and short power nap, ready to return back to the museum again by 7am to meet with the transport company and place the tram into the shop space.
When the transport crew turned up Wednesday morning they were in complete shock that we had managed to cut the tram mock-up in half so cleanly, and had it done overnight! We found out later that some bets had been placed on whether we would be able to do it or not, as they had prepared to work overtime in the afternoon on the assumption they would be waiting for us to finish cutting the mock-up in half. Over the course of 6 hours they managed to insert the first half of the tram in, skated it into position, then did likewise with the second half of the tram; butted it up nice and tight to the first half so it looked like one whole tram again. Mission complete in 24 hours as planned!! The tram was then wrapped in a tarpaulin and became one of the best kept secrets of the museum. Behind the tarpaulin away from prying eyes and loose lips, several jobs were undertaken by Danny and Chris over the course of the next few weeks including: levelling the tram by shimming up the feet, putting in steel joiner plates to lock the tram’s steel frame back together again, and reinstalling the floor and other parts removed for the transport and installation job. The tram was fully re assembled and only those who look very carefully will be able to see some telltale signs of where it was cut in half. With the tram mock up now in place, it was time for the rest of the shop space to be finished. The progress of this job can be found here.
Come 2025, interior fit out in the shop had progress far enough that focus could return to completing the mockup for display. Articulation beadings removed when the tram was cut in half were reinstalled by our heritage carpenter Mick Kinsella, who also enabled the opening and closing of tram doors on the wall facing side of the mockup; this will allow the space behind to be accessed for storage. Volunteers re-erected the shop facing doors, set up the steps and ramp into the tram, and undertook several cleans of the interior and exterior prior to the shop’s grand opening on 22nd February 2026.
Parramatta LRV mock up No. 2161 is now an integrated part of the museum’s new retail bookshop/kiosk space; a space 10 times larger than the 35 year long temporary kiosk and bookshop set up we have now replaced.
