Forgive the headline. I can't resist alliteration
After London, Sydney had the largest tram system in the world. Melbourne now has that world title as we didn't get rid of trams as so many cities mistakenly did. By the end of 1961 Sydney's system had closed, taken over by diesel buses and electric trolley buses. The replacement bus service was inadequate, in spite of the government propaganda at the time, and turned even more people to the private motor car.
Maybe I have put some of these photos up before. In spite of what looks like was chaos, the Sydney tram service was very fast and efficient.
Taylor Square, a busy tram intersection on what became became Sydney's gay mile on Oxford Street.
Trams lined up to clear crowds from I guess the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Another photo of Taylor Square.
The last time we were in Sydney and at this location, I tried to visualise Railway Square as it once was but I failed.
Meanwhile back at Taylor Square.
And for this one, I think we are back at Railway Square. It would be described I guess as highly organised chaos. The trams loaded crowds very quickly and moved along very quickly. Thousands of people would arrive and depart from Railway Square. Trams can be so efficient at moving large numbers of people quickly, as can be seen now at the Australian Open tennis two week competition in my own city. Trams are rerouted, trams parked waiting and a huge effort goes in to provide a maximum number of large trams and adequate staffing to provide a good service when crowds travel to the venue and depart. Should a match finish at 2am, hey its happened, there will be a tram to get you to the city at least. (a 4am finish mid competition and five trams with drivers and auxiliary staff were still there waiting to clear what was probably non existent crowds to the city).
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As someone who depends on it I think that public transport is hugely important. It is yet another thing that I don't think should be required to be profitable (like health and education).
ReplyDeleteQuite so EC. It needs to be run for the benefit of the public. It was once more so run thus.
DeleteNot sure where you get these vintage black and white photos, they certainly tell the story. Love this piece.
ReplyDeleteRoentare, these mostly came from the NSW public photo archive and online for everyone to view. If you want to see really stunning older black and white photos in very high resolution, have a look at shorpy.com
DeleteI have never liked buses but trams have a certain charm. As long as they are driven correctly! I still miss the connies, though.
ReplyDeleteYes, yes and yes, Caro. Inner Melbourne without trams is unimaginable. I probably use them five days a week at least.
DeleteLike how the trams shared the streets with the autos. What passes for a tram in Cleveland where I live, the Rapid it's called, is set apart from the road, making for a kind of boring ride as far as looking out the window is concerned.
ReplyDeleteKirk, so what might entertain you on Rapid could be some attractive people? Or even just interesting people. Public transport is great for people watching.
DeleteWow! What amazing pictures! In the hoarder's house, we found stack of trolley tokens. They are not dated. They have no price. You used to be able to see the tracks, but they are under the black top now.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting Debby. Would a museum appreciate them? In Sydney old buried tram tracks seem to have a propensity to rise up again to become visible.
DeleteI like your idea about the tokens, Andrew. If worthless, they might be sold to visitors for a pittance. I can think of worse souvenirs. And added up funds could save more historical items.
DeleteYour images are fascinating. I'm curious about the iGUM logo.
Darla, yes the tokens deserve something to recognise them. Apparently iGUM stands for a FB group called I grew up in Mortdale, which is a Sydney suburb.
DeleteLoved seeing these photos of the past trams. Seems trams work to remove the people from the tennis. Interesting Andrew.
ReplyDeleteMargaret, when a match finishes thousands can flood out and head for trams. The trams used are mostly 60 metres long and one after another they fill and are quickly despatched. I haven't seen them load for tennis but I have for Grand Prix crowds.
DeleteThe sight of green, clean trams gliding between the green trees in StKilda Rd is a Melbourne delight. The old Sydney photos look a bit squishy and dirty.
ReplyDelete*cough* Hels
DeleteHels, I remember a real estate ad from thirty years ago for a Dandenong Road property that said 'with trams gliding past'. They did if you watched from a balcony but they didn't feel like they were gliding if you were on one. Melbourne relied more on trains than trams, whereas Sydney was the opposite.
DeleteI really, really wish Adelaide would get its act together and reinstate the tram network. Doing this would mean upheaval for a few years but after that imagine the crowds who would use it and there'd be fewer cars on the roads, fewer buses too.
ReplyDeleteRiver, I should think there are areas in your city where trams could run again to good patronage numbers, like near to where you live. Replacing buses with fast and efficient trams would really encourage people to use the system. But problem one is that your existing tram line is terribly slow and given it is a system isolated from traffic, there is no excuse beyond lack of tram priority at traffic lights.
DeleteThe lack of tracks is also a problem, many were ripped up when the trams were discontinued.
DeleteSo many decades later River, they would have had to be replaced regardless.
DeleteAs you are a tram kinda guy, next time you are in Great Britain you might enjoy a visit to the Crich Tram Museum near Matlock in Derbyshire. See https://www.tramway.co.uk/ I guess you have already visited The National Railway Museum in York. See https://www.railwaymuseum.org.uk/
ReplyDeleteYP, I am aware of Crich, but it is just too hard for old blokes. I believe the York museum is amazing and we plan to stay in York a couple of nights and visit the museum. No doubt we will shamble a bit. But where to stay in York for a couple of nights?
DeletePremier Inns are consistently good and fairly priced. There are four or five around York but I suggest that you book the one at Blossom Street North - not very far from the main railway station and the railway museum. This hotel is pretty popular so if you want it I suggest that you book as far in advance as you can. (Yorkshire Pudding Travel Agency Ltd)
DeleteThanks YP. Your commission has been paid already? Actually you are the second person to indicate Premier Hotels are good value.
DeleteI think S.F. had trams, way back when I went to college (briefly) just north of Oakland. Street cars they called them, but wouldn't those be trams, I think. We'd go to the city for a day for some fun. Going under the bay on BART was a thrill too, I thought. We joked and joked nervously while under, mainly about earthquakes.
ReplyDeleteIt did Strayer and still does have trams. I guess in SF earthquakes are often on people's minds.
DeleteThe Stalker
ReplyDeleteRode the trams in San Fran. From the Westin down to the bay….love Judy and her Trolley song so that was a highlight. I grew up in a Sydney and there were trolley buses for a while around San Souci ..There were also trams down to Circular Quay before the underground was extended , in fact as a child I remember going to the Zoo by ferry on a rough harbour day and on return vomited on the tram!
I love Melbourne trams got on a fully packed one on a stormy hot evening into the theatre to see Calamity Jane a couple of years ago…..trams were packed to the hilt because it was December and there was torrential rain….I must say it was steamy in more ways that one and smelly as well..The show was rip roaring camp fabulous and Virginia Gay was brilliant
I love your public transport postings Andrew , we kind of share the same memories of times past.
By the way, speaking of all things transport I also rode the last steam train to Woy Woy before they electrified the Gosford line
Stalker, a terrific comment. The SF trams must have been great to ride. Thankfully the cable cars still run. Trams to the Quay must have been in the dying days in the early sixties. Vomiting on a tram happens too often. Clearly your tram to Calamity Jane did not have aircon. I remember gay Virginia Gay promoting the show on the radio. I am super impressed by your normal steam train trip.
DeleteThat's a lot of trams.
ReplyDeleteSandra, it was huge. Sydney had 2,500 trams in 1930.
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