Sydney R-Class Tram

The R-class trams were a class of drop-centre saloon car type trams operated on the Sydney tram network.

R-class
ManufacturerClyde Engineering
Constructed1933-35
Number built195
Fleet numbers1738-1932
Capacity48 (Seated)
80 (Standing)
Specifications
Train length14.33 metres
Width2.74 metres
Height3.18 metres
Maximum speed60 km/h
Weight17.9 t
Power output4 x 40 hp
Electric system(s)600 V DC overhead trolley wire
Current collection methodTrolley pole
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in)

History

Class leader 1738 was unveiled in a ceremony at Randwick Tramway Workshops on 29 September 1933. All 195 cars were in service by mid-1935. Passengers were accommodated in two saloons featuring 16 tip-over upholstered seats in each, plus wooden seating for 16 in the centre section. The relatively low seating capacity of only 48 (compared to the older toastrack trams) and their inability to operate in service as multiple units went against the class. The last five of the order for 200 tramcars were altered during construction to a modified design with increased seating capacity, becoming prototypes for the R1 class, resulting in only 195 being completed to the original (R class) design.[1]

Rushcutters Bay was the first depot to be allocated trams, Fort Macquarie followed next, then Waverley, North Sydney and Newtown. Ultimo received its first R cars in 1940, with Rozelle and Tempe gaining them in 1949. Dowling Street finally received R cars when Fort Macquarie Depot closed in 1955.[1]

Two North Sydney R cars plunged into Sydney Harbour when running out of control on the steep descent to Athol Wharf, both were repaired. Withdrawals commenced in mid-1958 when the North Sydney system closed and these cars went into storage, mainly at Waverley. The last of the R class trams were withdrawn on 22 November 1958, the last day of operation of Rozelle Depot and the last day of services in George Street and the Western suburbs.[1]

Preservation

Eleven have been preserved:

gollark: I mean, if you don't have the opponent's source code/very accurate models, it is in all cases better to defect than cooperate. That is basically what "strictly better" means.
gollark: It... is?
gollark: But it is strictly better for you to defect.
gollark: If you both cooperate it's better.
gollark: `scp ./path other-thing:/home/matt/path`.

References
  1. MacCowan, Ian (1990). The Tramways of New South Wales. Oakleigh: Ian MacCowan. pp. 132–134. ISBN 0 949600 25 3.
  2. "B1520 Tram, full size, electric, and parts, "R" type No. 1738, metal / wood, Clyde Engineering Co, Australia, 1933". Powerhouse Museum. Retrieved 4 September 2013.
  3. "Sydney Tramway Museum Fleet Register" (PDF). Sydney Tramway Museum. Retrieved 4 September 2013.
  4. Deare, Steven; Morcombe, John (14 January 2014). "Tram to return to The Tramshed at Narrabeen". The Manly Daily. Retrieved 4 March 2016.
  5. R1808 Vicsig
  6. 1990s Harry’s Café de Wheels

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.

Media related to Sydney R-Class Tram at Wikimedia Commons

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.