Trammy the Trolley Car

31/07/2024

Kogarah Sans-Souci Tram Service 1887–1937

Did you know that ‘Sans Souci’ translates to ‘without worry’? This historic tram service provided a scenic but sooty journey along Rocky Point Road to the seaside resorts of Sandringham and Dolls Point.

Despite its convenience, there were challenges, including several tragic accidents. Conductors braved the elements and risked their safety on narrow footboards outside tram cars.

Today, we appreciate how far we have come with modern, clean, safe trams. Let us take a moment to honour the past and look forward to a public transport ‘sans souci’.

Image: Courtesy Royal Australian Historical Society Collection.

29/07/2024

Reach out — to someone who can help, or connect us with a club or team that can help out. This is VITAL now.

28/07/2024

18/07/2024

Spit Tramcar Ferry, 1922

Starting in 1912, this ferry drastically improved services between Mosman and Manly. Advanced engineering, such as hinged tracks and adjustable tracks for different tide levels, solved the challenges posed by the tram’s weight and the tides, making commutes more convenient and quicker.

Image: Tramcar punt used for transferring trams across the Spit, Middle Harbour 1911–1939 (Royal Australian Historical Society)

18/07/2024

18/07/2024

People boarding trams on Courtenay Place with the Embassy Theatre in background, circa 1936. Wellington City Council Archives, 00146-290

12/07/2024

Sentimental Saturday

A Postcard in the collection. A Melba Series printed postcard. Postmarked 24 December 1913.

Sydney, Circular Quay c1908. Sydney F Class 300 sets out for Crown St around 1910 followed by a C Class tram and matching trailer probably on the Railway shuttle. Crown St was the initial terminus of the West Kensington line. It was steam operated between 1881 and 1902 with services commencing from Bridge St Yard. Electric trams took over the service in 1902 using Elizabeth St and Philip St to Circular Quay while in 1906 the service was diverted to use Castlereagh St, Bligh St, Bent St and Loftus St inbound to Circular Quay then outbound via Pitt St, Bathurst St and Elizabeth St. Services were extended to the new West Kensington terminus in 1909.

Sydney F Class 300 entered service in September 1901 and was converted to an L Class in late 1910. It was a late conversion to an LP Class, not entering service until March 1928. It remained on the main Sydney system until scrapped in 1951.

12/07/2024

11/07/2024

09/07/2024

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/focus-trackless-trams-bound-for-auckland/HBGT2G744PCWTRYBNV5IJ7ILCE/

Auckland Transport will trial trackless trams before the end of the year. Video / NZ Herald

29/06/2024

24/06/2024

24/06/2024

24/06/2024

24/06/2024

: On June 23, 1963, the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum opened its doors to the public (although back then you knew us as the Arden Trolley Museum)!

As of today, we've been in operation for 61 years. Of course, since we were initially founded in 1954, the organization as a whole is actually 70 years old!

In the decades since being founded and opening our doors, we've grown quite a bit. Today we house a collection of over 50 cars. We're also supported by over 600 members worldwide and 140 active volunteers. Best of all, we have the pleasure of welcoming over 38,000 visitors each year.

That's why on this day we'd like to say: thank you to all who continue to make history and keep the Trolley Era alive at the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum!

08/06/2024

Today's historic photo of the day: Exactly 37 years ago today, Adelaide H type tram no 363 running a trip from Victoria Square runs along the on-street section of track in Jetty Road and approaches the outer terminus of the line at Moseley Square, Glenelg, SA, June 7 1987.

Adelaide's fleet of thirty H type trams was built in 1929 by local firm Pengelly & Co to provide trams to operate the Adelaide to Glenelg route which was in that year converted from a steam-hauled broad gauge railway to a standard gauge electrified tram route. These cars, which were larger and faster than any seen in Adelaide (or anywhere in Australia) until the modern era, were inspired significantly by the design of American interurban cars.

Whilst they did operate on other street tramway routes, the H type trams, which also operated in double and very occasionally triple sets, were very much associated in operational practice and in the psyche of Adelaideans with the Glenelg line. Indeed, following the closure of all other routes by 1958, the Victoria Square to Glenelg line was Adelaide's only tram route, and the H types were its only type of tram.

The H types remained in service until they were supplanted by modern Citadis and Flexity trams and the last H in regular service ran in 2006. Glenelg is still served today by modern electric trams from this same terminus, which is, incidentally, the westernmost point in Australia today served by trams.

A number of H type trams have been preserved in operational condition in museums around the country. Number 363 though was purchased privately and taken to Lethbridge in Victoria where it has been installed in the grounds of a private property.

https://railmaps.com.au/photos.htm?DatePublished=2024-06-07

29/05/2024

The shot with trams is from 1925, and is looking along Upper Symonds Street, showing trams and a bus running past the premises of Sanford Fish Mart (Photo: Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, 35-R27

17/05/2024

Credit : The Walt Disney Company