Sydney C-Class Tram

C-class

C-class tram at terminus of Ocean Street, Edgecliff to Rose Bay line
Manufacturer Bignall & Morrison
Hudson Brothers
Clyde Engineering
Constructed 1896-1900
Number built 97
Fleet numbers 4-17, 20-97, 289-291
Specifications
Length 22 ft 0 in (6.71 m) to 26 ft 0 in (7.92 m)
Width 7 ft 3.5 in (2.22 m)
Height 12 ft 1.5 in (3.70 m)
Weight 8.41 long tons (8.5 t)
Passenger capacity seats 20-26
Maximum speed 60 km/h
Engine power 4 x 36 hp (later 50)
Electric system(s) 600 V DC catenary
Current collection method Trolley pole
Gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 12 in)

The C-class trams were a class of single bogie end loading trams operated on the Sydney tram network.

History

Preserved C11 at the Powerhouse Museum

Between 1896 and 1900, 97 C-class trams were built by three Sydney firms; Bignall & Morrison, Hudson Brothers and Clyde Engineering with bogies supplied by the Peckham Motor Truck & Wheel Co, Kingston, New York. There were four different body types with variations in width, length, number of windows, and seating capacity (20-26). Three (289-291) were built as trailer cars, later being fitted with power equipment.[1]

A typical tram features a single saloon passenger area comprising two longitudinal timber benches facing inwards for 22 seated passengers with standing room in the centre aisle. An interior of varnished timberwork with a clerestory roof with sidelights of coloured glass. Sliding doors at each end lead to outside platforms where the driver controlled the tram. The driver protection was an overhanging canopy where passengers entered and left the car.

C-class trams towed steam and cable trailers, and many ran coupled together. There were also examples of C and D classes being coupled. Some of these C/C and C/D combinations became permanent, with inner end driving controls being removed. They mainly operated from Ridge Street Tram Depot and to a lesser extent from Rushcutters Bay, Ultimo and Waverley.[1]

In 1905, three (14-16) were sold to Ballarat. In 1907, four (23, 25, 38 and 39) were sold to the Victorian Railways as replacements for trams destroyed at Elwood depot. Mass withdrawals began in 1917 with all out of service by 1926. One (37) saw service in Byron Bay as a locomotive hauled on the jetty from 1924 until 1963.[1]

Numbers

Preservation

Seven have been preserved:

References

  1. 1 2 3 MacCowan, Ian (1990). The Tramways of New South Wales. Oakleigh: Ian MacCowan. p. 115. ISBN 0 949600 25 3.
  2. "No. 11 electric C-class tram, 1898". Powerhouse Museum.
  3. 1 2 "Sydney Tramway Museum Fleet Register" (PDF). Sydney Tramway Museum. Retrieved 4 September 2013.
  4. "Car 95 Year Built: 1899". Illawarra Light Railway Museum Society.

Further reading

External links

Media related to Sydney C-Class Tram at Wikimedia Commons

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