The D-class trams were a class of single bogie Californian Combination type trams operated on the
Sydney tram network with open cross benches at the ends and a saloon in the centre.
History
In 1896,
Clyde Engineering
Clyde Engineering was an Australian manufacturer of locomotives, rolling stock, and other industrial products.
It was founded in September 1898 by a syndicate of Sydney businessmen buying the Granville factory of timber merchants Huds ...
delivered car 123 with an elliptical roof. The 24 others numbered 93-121 had a clerestory roof and were built by Clyde Engineering and
Ritchie Brothers
Ritchie Brothers was an Australian railway rolling stock and tram manufacturer based in the Sydney suburb of Auburn.
History
In 1857, Robert Ritchie took over the blacksmith business of Joseph Whiting of Parramatta. In 1876, Ritchie was awarde ...
in 1899.
The composite design and terminology was adapted from a popular style of car tram operating in
California
California is a U.S. state, state in the Western United States, located along the West Coast of the United States, Pacific Coast. With nearly 39.2million residents across a total area of approximately , it is the List of states and territori ...
. They were introduced to give more room for smokers who were previously confined to car entrances. They were four wheel cars, seating capacity being originally 32, later being increased to 34. The last was withdrawn in 1925. Some were converted to track scrubbers with one sold to
Brisbane
Brisbane ( ) is the capital and most populous city of the states and territories of Australia, Australian state of Queensland, and the list of cities in Australia by population, third-most populous city in Australia and Oceania, with a populati ...
.
[
]
Preservation
Two have been preserved:
*102 at the Sydney Tramway Museum
The Sydney Tramway Museum (operated by the South Pacific Electric Railway) is Australia's oldest tramway museum and the largest in the southern hemisphere. It is located at Loftus, New South Wales, Loftus in the southern suburbs of Sydney.
Hist ...
, converted to track scrubber in 1930 and renumbered 134s, operational, was used as a track scrubber on the Wentworth Park light rail line in 1997Sydney Tramway Museum
The Sydney Tramway Museum (operated by the South Pacific Electric Railway) is Australia's oldest tramway museum and the largest in the southern hemisphere. It is located at Loftus, New South Wales, Loftus in the southern suburbs of Sydney.
Hist ...
, converted to breakdown car 112s in 1913 and is currently halfway through being returned to passenger configuration.[
]
References
Further reading
*
*
External links
{{DEFAULTSORT:D class tram
Trams in Sydney
Tram vehicles of Australia