Sydney P-Class Tram

P-class

Manufacturer Randwick Tramway Workshops
Meadowbank Manufacturing Company
Walsh Island Dockyard
Constructed 1921-29
Number built 258
Fleet numbers 1480-1737
Specifications
Length 13.85 metres
Width 2.74 metres
Height 3.26 metres
Weight 16.9 t
Passenger capacity seats 80
Passenger capacity standing 48
Maximum speed 60 km/h
Engine power 4 x 40 hp
Electric system(s) 600 V DC catenary
Current collection method Pantograph
Gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 12 in)

The P-class trams were a class of trams operated on the Sydney tram network.

History

Between 1921 and 1929, 258 P class trams were built by Randwick Tramway Workshops, Meadowbank Manufacturing Company, and the Walsh Island Dockyard. As with the proceeding O class trams, the P class were cross bench cars with 80 seat capacity. They were a big improvement over the O-class in that all compartments offered protection from bad weather on both sides of the bodies when running. Fitted with folding canvas doors in each compartment, conductors only had to push open one half of a door.[1]

The P-class trams were based at all depots on the main system except Rushcutters Bay, but worked to the Sydney Stadium, just past the depot between 1947 and 1959 out of Waverley and Dowling Street for special events, plus out to Watsons Bay for picnic specials. Most were withdrawn in 1959/1960. Four (1517 & 1573 at Randwick Tramway Workshops and 1562 & 1582 Eveleigh Railway Workshops) were refitted with the same windows, centre door and internal layout as the R1 class.[1]

Preservation

Six have been preserved:

References

  1. 1 2 MacCowan, Ian (1990). The Tramways of New South Wales. Oakleigh: Ian MacCowan. pp. 129–131. ISBN 0 949600 25 3.
  2. 1 2 3 "Sydney Tramway Museum Fleet Register" (PDF). Sydney Tramway Museum. Retrieved 4 September 2013.

Further reading

External links

Media related to Sydney P-Class Tram at Wikimedia Commons

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