Sydney Tram Classification

Steam trams of the 1880s and 1890s had separate numbers for motors and trailers within each separate system and the unified numbering scheme was not introduced for the electric tramcars until 1890.[1]

Classification

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A statewide numbering scheme was required as isolated electric segments became joined and rolling stock interchanged and major maintenance performed at Randwick Tramway Workshops. In 1905 a general alphabetical classification was introduced to the NSW Government Tramways.

In general lettering indicated:

  • A and B were given to steam stock
  • C through to N (and later O, P and R) to electric cars based on seating capacity.
  • T was planned for trailers but not displayed
  • S indicated general service, non-passenger carrying stock
  • U for ballast motors
  • V for ballast trailers
  • W for electric water sprinklers.

New types of electric trams continued to be allocated letters, with the exception of I, Q, Y and Z.

Classes

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Car Numbers and Classification
Image Numbers Description Class
  1-3 Sydney's first Electric trams used for trial electrification on Randwick-Waverley and Military Road, North Sydney. Single truck end loading saloon car Experimental cars
  4-97 Single truck end loading saloon car C-class (some T-class )
  98-121 Single truck, California combination, straight sill car D-class
  122 Maximum traction bogie California combination car, with straight chassis sill and longitudinal exterior seats (converted to L class, and later LP) F-class
  123 Single truck, California combination, straight sill car D-class
  124-139 Maximum traction bogie, half saloon, half open cross bench cars, with straight chassis sill and permanently coupled back to back G-class
  140-288 Maximum traction bogie California combination car, with straight chassis sill and longitudinal exterior seats (all cars converted to L class, and later LP) F-class
  289-291 Single truck end loading saloon car C-class
  292,293 ex-horse cars 199, 200 T-class
  294 Maximum traction bogie California combination car, with straight chassis sill and longitudinal exterior seats (converted to L class, and later LP) F-class
  295 Enclosed cross bench Maximum traction bogie car, partial centre-aisle when built N-class
  296-395 Maximum traction bogie California combination car, with straight chassis sill and longitudinal exterior seats (all cars altered to L class, and later LP, except No.393) F-class
  396,397 Single truck closed cross bench car, single ended, permanently coupled back to back in pairs. E-class
  398-412 Enclosed cross bench Maximum traction bogie car N-class
  413 -612 Single truck closed cross bench car, single ended, permanently coupled back to back in pairs. E-class
  613-647 Enclosed cross bench Maximum traction bogie car N-class
  648-682 Single truck, closed cross bench car J-class
  683 Enclosed cross bench Maximum traction bogie car (later Prison car N 948) N-class
  684-728 Enclosed cross bench Maximum traction bogie car (No. 704 converted to LP class) N-class
  729-736 ex-cable trailers T-class
  737,738 Maximum traction bogie open cross bench car M-class
  739,740 Single truck, open cross bench cars H-class
  741- 745 Single truck, closed cross bench car J-class
  746-802 Single truck cross bench, half open, half closed car K-class
  803-805 Single truck cross bench, half open, half closed car (destroyed before delivery) K-class
  803-947 Bogie cross bench, half open, half enclosed car (Nos. 855, 935, and 943 converted to O/P-Class) O-class
  948 Prison car N-class
  949-1279 Bogie cross bench, half open, half enclosed car (Nos. 961, 1007, 1089, 1170, and 1241 converted to O/P-class) O-class
  1280-1329 Single truck cross bench, half open, half closed car K-class
  1330-1479 Bogie cross bench, half open, half enclosed car (Nos. 1372, 1383, and 1451 converted to O/P-class) O-class
  1480-1737 Bogie enclosed cross bench car (Nos. 1517, 1562, 1573, and 1582 converted to PR1-class, No. 1691 converted to PR-class) P-class
  1738-1932 Front, centre and rear loading, bogie drop-centre saloon, divided into three compartments R-class
  1933-2087 Front, centre and rear loading drop centre bogie saloon car central body bulkheads R1-class

References

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  1. ^ McCarth & Chinn (1974). New South Wales Tramcar Handbook 1861-1961. SPER.