Sydney R1-Class Tram

R1-class
R1 class at Sydney Showground
Manufacturer Clyde Engineering
Commonwealth Engineering
Constructed 1935 and 1950-1953
Fleet numbers 1933-2087
Capacity 56 (Seated)
Specifications
Train length 14.35 metres
Width 2.74 metres
Height 3.26 metres
Maximum speed 60 km/h
Weight 17.9 t
Power output 4 x 40 hp
Electric system(s) 600 V DC catenary
Current collection method Trolley pole
Track gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in)

The R1-class trams were a class of trams operated on the Sydney tram network. Their design was a development of the R class.

History

When Clyde Engineering were delivering the last of the R class in 1935, it was decided to modify the final five to a design with a reduced drop-centre, eight more seats, no internal partitions, and one less door each side. These modified trams were classified as R1 class, and a further 50 were ordered from Clyde. In the late 1940s, a further 250 were ordered from Commonwealth Engineering. Steel shortages delayed their construction, with the first not delivered until September 1950. During construction the order was reduced to 100, with the last delivered to Lane Cove depot on 17 September 1953.[1]

The original five tramcars modified in 1935 (numbers 1933 to 1937) could be distinguished from later production runs by their side windows (which indicated the original door spacing for the R class) and the underframe which was built to accommodate a larger drop-centre.

One (2018) was written off after a single day in a traffic accident at Petersham. Most remained in service until the end of tram operations in 1961.[1]

Preservation

Nine have been preserved:

References

  1. 1 2 MacCowan, Ian (1990). The Tramways of New South Wales. Oakleigh: Ian MacCowan. pp. 135–138. ISBN 0 949600 25 3.
  2. 1 2 "Sydney Tramway Museum Fleet Register" (PDF). Sydney Tramway Museum. Retrieved 4 September 2013.
  3. ↑ Bought for a bargain $50, Sydney’s last tram on track for a makeover Inner West Courier 5 February 2015

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.

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