Sydney E-Class Tram

4 ft 8+1⁄2 in)

The E-class trams were a class of single bogie (four-wheel) single-ended cross-bench design trams operated on the Sydney tram network. They always operated in permanently-coupled pairs because they were fitted-out electrically as if the pair was a single bogie car.[1]

History

In 1901, two prototypes were built by the Randwick Tramway Workshops. Deemed a success, a further 200 were built by Clyde Engineering and Meadowbank Manufacturing Company in 1902/03. They were introduced for the electrification of the Eastern Suburbs lines, but also operated services on the North Shore lines.[2]

Withdrawals commenced in 1934; two pairs (499+500 and 529+530) were fitted with track brakes for the Neutral Bay service, with 529+530 lasting in service until 1955.[2]

Numbers

  • Randwick Tramway Workshops: (1901) 396, 397
  • Clyde Engineering: (1902/03) 413-560, 611, 612
  • Meadowbank Manufacturing Company: (1902/1903) 561-610

Preservation

Two have been preserved:

  • 529 & 530 at the Sydney Tramway Museum[3]

References

  1. ^ McCarth & Chinn (1974). New South Wales Tramcar Handbook 1861-1961. SPER.
  2. ^ a b MacCowan, Ian (1990). The Tramways of New South Wales. Oakleigh: Ian MacCowan. pp. 116/117. ISBN 0 949600 25 3.
  3. ^ "Sydney Tramway Museum Fleet Register" (PDF). Sydney Tramway Museum. Retrieved 4 September 2013.

Further reading

  • Chinn, N (1975). New South Wales Tramcar Handbook 1861-1961. Vol. 1. South Pacific Electric Railway Cooperative Society. ISBN 9780959865967.
  • McCarthy, Ken (1976). New South Wales Tramcar Handbook 1861-1961. Vol. 2. South Pacific Electric Railway Cooperative Society. ISBN 9780959865974.

External links

Media related to Sydney E-Class Tram at Wikimedia Commons