The Leonora Tramway (2)

The Leonora Tramway (1)

These pictures were taken at Leonora Gwalia Historical Museum. Gwalia was the site of a gold mine 4 km south of the outback town of Leonora, 230 km north of Kalgoorlie. The mine closed in 1963 and Gwalia was abandoned. More recently the former mine buildings have been used to accomodate a very comprehensive museum including the body Leonora's only electric tram which is in remarkably good condition. The museum has plans to restore the body as a static exhibit. http://www.gwalia.org.au/

Kalgoorlie tram

This Kalgoorlie tram body is sitting outside the town's museum which concentrates on mining. According to the staff there was insufficient support for a local restoration project and they think that it is going to be moved to Perth.

Earthquake in Christchurch

This morning in Western Australia we heard the news of another terrible earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand. I am sure that all readers of this blog will join me in sending our comiserations and best wishes to the people of Christchurch.

I have now received good new from COTMA in Australia via Crewe.
'So far no known deaths amongst the employees and volunteers or their families of both the tramways but not all news is in.
Sadly some have suffered significant damage to their homes.
No doubt some have suffered injuries.
The Christchurch City Depot has suffered some damage, mainly broken windows from the building next door.
The city tram rollingstock has not been damaged, but three cars are stranded in the streets (some of the newspapers web photos have shown this) and it is likely it will be some time before they can get back to the depot due to the streets being closed to all other than to emergency crews.'


The depots and trams at Ferrymead have also sustained minor damage.

Goodbye St Kilda

Both the driver and conductor have visited Crich in the past and send their best wishes to all TMS members.

St Kilda (5)

This is the current restoration project. During WW II some 4 wheel motor trams were permanently coupled to combat the shortage of staff. All axles were still powered but the service brake was a hand brake on the leading car only. When restored it (they?) will have air brakes.

Horse trams

St Kilda (4)

Adelaide 192 was acquired second hand from Melbourne and toast rack 42 has an ex-Brussels truck.

The St Kilda line crosses a public highway and is simply protected by signs. There are no signals or red flags.

St Kilda (3)

A selection of the notices displayed on the former Adelaide trams at St Kilda Tramway Museum.

St Kilda (2)

We are now in rural Australia so updates will be sporadic.
The first three pics are Adelaide 118 which is magnificently restored.
The second two show the outer terminus of the 2km running line which is near to a children's playground.


The final picture is Adelaide 282.
The museum is only open on Sunday afternoons with a tram every 30 mins from 12:20 until 4:20. On our visit four trams were operated in succession with only one crew.
Both the driver and conductor had visited Crich several years ago. The location could not be much more different: a cold damp Derbyshire hilltop and a hot salt lake by the sea.

St Kilda Museum (1)

St Kilda Tramway Museum is just north of Adelaide. We had a very pleasant Sunday afternoon there.

This maximum traction bogie reminded of LUT 159.
Section boxes grow bigger in the Australian climate.

We rode on all four of these trams.
More to follow.

Goodbye Melbourne

For a major city there are very few pedestrianised streets. This short section of Bourke St (between Swanston and Elizabeth) is the only one we saw.
A W at North Richmond terminus.
Rain on Swanston Street.

An old tram in a new world - Melbourne's Docklands.