Sydney Tramway Museum Australia

Sydney Tramway Museum

Located in Sydney’s southern suburb of Loftus, the Sydney Tramway Museum, is the largest of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere. Hosting a collection of trams from Sydney, other Australian and some international cities makes this museum a must-see for tram and train lovers.

Getting to the Sydney Tramway Museum

In addition to its on car park, the museum is conveniently located adjacent to the Loftus Railway Station, making it easy to get to.

Tram Rides

With many of the museum’s trams in operating condition, it is great that they offer tram rides. The cost of the ride is included in the entry fee. Travelling in two directions, initially towards Sutherland and then into Royal National Park, where it stops at an old station. At the station, you disembark the tram for 5 to 10 minutes before the return trip. This was great fun and will appeal to families with children, as well as tram enthusiasts.

Sydney O Class 1111 Sydney Tramway Museum — Sydney O Class 1111 Waiting to Pick Up Passengers

Gift Shop

Setup in an old tram, the gift shop offers a huge range of souvenirs, mostly tram related. From the usual postcards and fridge magnets to publications dedicated to trams, there should be something to suit everyone.

Sydney Tramway Museum’s Collection

Undercover in an old workshop, and well maintained, the collection is accessible for a real hands on look. Most trams have boards near them, explaining the history of the tram, adding to the experience. Importantly, it is possible to board some trams, except when signs prevent it to avoid damage.

Sydney Trams

C Class Trams

Built in 1896 by Bignall & Morrison and acquired in 1955, C 290 has been restored to original passenger condition from 1996-97. Operational for special events, it is the oldest operational electric tramcar in Australia.

Built in 1898 by Hudson Bros and acquired in 1961 Tram C 29 is operational for occasional service.

Sydney C Class 29 Sydney Tramway Museum — Sydney C Class 29

F Class Tram

Built in 1902 by Clyde Engineering acquired in 1953 tram F 393 operates for special events. Owing to its use as a driver training tram, it is the only F class car remaining.

Sydney F Class 393 Sydney Tramway Museum — Sydney F Class 393

N Class Trams

Built in 1906 by Meadowbank Manufacturing Company and acquired in 1953 tram N 728 is operated for special events.

O Class Trams

Built in 1909 by Meadowbank Manufacturing Company and on loan from the Powerhouse Museum tram O 805 is operational for special events.

Sydney O Class 805 Sydney Tramway Museum — Sydney O Class 805

Built in 1912 by Meadowbank Manufacturing Company and acquired in 1958, tram O 1111 is operational in regular service.

L/P Class Trams

Built in 1900 by Clyde Engineering as an F class car and converted in 1910 to an ‘L’ type tram, and again in 1926 as an ‘L/P’ type, tram L/P 154 was acquired in 1950. It currently representing trams from the Newcastle system. Operational in occasional service, it is known as the oldest preserved tram in the Southern Hemisphere.

Sydney LP Class 154 Sydney Tramway Museum — Sydney LP Class 154

Brisbane Trams

Built in 1924 by T Gardiner and Son and acquired in 1958, tram 180 ‘Dreadnought’ is in regular service, mainly during the Summer months.

Ballarat Trams

Built in 1908 by Meadowbank Manufacturing Company acquired in 1974, ‘Single-Truck’ tram 12 is operational for special events, but remains in “as is” condition.

Ballarat Single-Truck Sydney Tramway Museum — Ballarat Single-Truck

Overseas Trams at the Sydney Tramway Museum

San Francisco PCC “Torpedo”

Built in 1948 by St. Louis Car Company San Francisco PCC “Torpedo” tram 1014 was a Bicentenary gift from Sydney’s sister city San Francisco in 1987. It is the last remaining “Torpedo” PCC in original condition. During our visit it was out of service, waiting parts.

Nagasaki 1054

Built in 1952 by Nigata Iron Works Nagasaki 1054 operated on the Sendai and Nagasaki tramway systems. Operational in occasional service it was acquired in 1992..

Berlin 5133

Built in 1969 by the East German Railways and acquired in 1996 Berlin 5133 operates an occasional service.

Berlin Tram 5133 Interior — Berlin Tram 5133

Works Cars

134s Sydney Scrubber Car

Built by Ritchie Bros. in 1899 as D class passenger car 112, it was converted to a scrubber car in 1930. Scrubber cars use carborundum blocks to ‘scrub’ the railhead clear of debris. Acquired by the museum in 1961, it operated in 1978/9 to clean the Eastern Suburbs railway tracks and again in 1983 for a similar purpose along the Cronulla line. With the implementation of the new Light Rail line, it was used in 1997 to ‘scrub’ the tracks around Haymarket. It is still operational when required.

141s Sydney Breakdown Car

Built by Meadowbank Manufacturing Company in 1911 as O 1030 and converted to a Breakdown car in 1955, Breakdown Car 141s is in occasional service.

Sydney Breakdown Car 141s Sydney Tramway Museum — Sydney Breakdown Car 141s

Buses & Trolley Buses

AEC 3-Axle Double-Deck Trolleybus

Trolleybus No.19 is an AEC 3-Axle Double-Deck trolleybus,built in 1937 by Ritchie Bros Pty Ltd. The museum acquired it in 1978, when it was rebuilt and partly fitted out, by apprentices of the then State Rail in Chullora from 1982-1988. It is Sydney’s last remaining double-deck trolley-bus.

AEC 3-Axle Double-Deck Trolleybus No.19 Sydney Tramway Museum — AEC 3-Axle Double-Deck Trolleybus No.19

What Did We Think?

This was a great place to visit, because of the amazing collection of trams, and the accessibility of the displays. The tram ride was a great bonus, making this museum a great place for families to have fun and enthusiasts to enjoy the trams.

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To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.