Adelaide B Type "Toastrack" No 42

42 awaiting it's next run Side view of 42 sitting in yard 42 outside the South Tram Shed Cleaning action

This car was built as a "Single truck, straight sill, open cross-bench with reversible seating" (later B Type) in 1909 by Duncan and Fraser. The open layout proved generally unpopular and in 1917 the car was converted to A2 Type, a form similar to A Type No 1. It was then transferred to the newly electrified Port Adelaide tramway system.

It is believed that No 42, like all the A1/A2/B Type cars (except 55-58), was last used in the late 1930s, although a number were stored at Hackney Depot until 1946 when they were either scrapped or, in 1947, sold by auction. In April 1958 a dropcentre tram towed 42 from Hackney Depot, where it had been kept for storing advertising material, to the sidings at the Morphettville Racecourse to join the other three trams already there. It arrived at the Museum that August.

It was run for the first time in 45 years in 1980, although at the time it consisted of only it's floor, ends and roof. Approximately 8000 hours of effort went into the restoration of this car to it's original B Type configuration, which was completed by April 1994.

This tram spent the winter of 2002 in the Body Shop undergoing a surface refurbishment. This involved repainting and revarnishing exposed surfaces. The purpose of this work was to extend the lifetime of the previous refurbishment.

As an open car it can only be run in fine weather. It usually sits the winter out on display in our South Tram Shed. During the warmer months it makes regular appearances in Operations.