Sydney P-Class Tram

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

P-class
P1480 at Randwick Racecourse
Manufacturer	Randwick Tramway Workshops Meadowbank Manufacturing Company Walsh Island Dockyard
Constructed	1921-29
Number built	258
Fleet numbers	1480-1737
Capacity	80 (Seated) 48 (Standing)
Specifications
Train length	13.85 metres
Width	2.74 metres
Height	3.26 metres
Maximum speed	60 km/h
Weight	16.9 t
Power output	4 x 40 hp
Electric system(s)	600 V DC catenary
Current collection method	Trolley pole
Track gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8 ^1⁄2 in)

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 preceding 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 Most were withdrawn in 1959/1960.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:

• 1497, 1517 and 1573 at the Sydney Tramway Museum[2]
• 1729 (first tram to North Bondi) under restoration at the Sydney Tramway Museum[2]
• 1501 previously sleeping quarters at a ‘Tram-O-Tel’ in Lightning Ridge
  now under restoration for Sydney Tramway Museum at Bendigo Tramways[2]
• 1700 at the Seashore Trolley Museum, Maine

References

1. MacCowan, Ian (1990). The Tramways of New South Wales. Oakleigh: Ian MacCowan. pp. 129–131. ISBN 0 949600 25 3.
2. "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 P-Class Tram at Wikimedia Commons