Re: Camden Trams

[Craig Warton <craigw@wolf.net.au>]

Regretably Chris, most (all) of the groups are only really playing "choo choos"
and have no interest in preservation or a sense of history - or an appreciation
of history. Going by the RTM, private railways do not count either - have a look
at the butchered condition of number 18. It is painted in a very fanciful colour
scheme and fitted with a B class tender. There is a Beyer Peacock 6 wheel tender
down the back and it would be quite easy - and appropriate to restore it to
Corrimal Coal and Coke condition (Now that is an idea!)

Craig

Chris wrote:

> I am really amazed that there are a few large rail groups who seem to think
> that only the 1960's era is worth preserving. Look out the back of their
> museums any you can see historically far more important 19th and early 20th
> century exhibits neglected and rusting away. Like the 10,12, 13, 18 class ,
> and Mersey tank, E18, plus early passenger and freight vehicles at the RTM.
> They are far more interested in acquiring crapped out diesels with little
> historical significance and spending large sums on repairing them.
> I wonder how long before the SRA takes back some of the exhibits at RTM?
>
> Chris
>
> "Craig Warton" <craigw@wolf.net.au> wrote in message
> 971694293.293019@unity.swspn.net.au">news:971694293.293019@unity.swspn.net.au...
> > Thank you Bob for adding a bit of historical - and factual information to
> the
> > guesses! One day people may realise that the history and operation of the
> NSWR
> > actually predated the 1960's!
> >
> > Craig
> >
> > Bob Merchant wrote:
> >
> > > "Tezza" <tezza2000@dingoblue.net.au> wrote in message
> > > 39ea5645$0$11607$7f31c96c@news01.syd.optusnet.com.au">news:39ea5645$0$11607$7f31c96c@news01.syd.optusnet.com.au...
> > > <snipped>
> > > | But why were they called Camden trams?
> > >
> > > In 1879 an International Exhibition was held in the Sydney Botanical
> Gardens
> > > and to provide transport from the Redfern Station the government built a
> > > street tramway operated by small Baldwin-built steam "motors".  This was
> > > hugely successful and engendered the "Tramway Extension Act" of 29 April
> > > 1880, which authorised construction of 14 additional tramways to extend
> the
> > > service to those suburbs not having railway communication with Sydney.
> > >
> > > During the debate prior to the passing of the act, it was felt that a
> rural
> > > route should be included to test whether such a line would be
> successful.
> > > The route selected, and included in the act, was from Campbelltown to
> Camden
> > > because it was close to Sydney, well populated and could be expected to
> > > generate large quantities of goods for forwarding to the markets in
> Sydney.
> > >
> > > The Sectetary for Public Works stated "...the object of the government,
> in
> > > proposing the construction of a tramway from Campbelltown to Camden, was
> to
> > > test the practicability of working tramways for goods traffic in
> connection
> > > with the railways and because ... it afforded means for a fair test."
> > >
> > > The tramway opened on 10 March 1882 using two Baldwin steam tram motors
> and
> > > three large end-loading trailers.  These were similar to but smaller
> than
> > > the American type end-loading carriages.  Goods traffic was carried in
> > > railway wagons.
> > >
> > > It should be noted that until 1932 the Tramways were under the control
> of
> > > the Commissioner(s) for Railways and Tramways so harmonious relations
> could
> > > be expected in the matter of interdepartmental dealings.
> > >
> > > The use of tramway rolling stock was a temporary expedient, as two small
> > > 0-6-0 tank engines were ordered from Manning Wardle in 1883 and two
> > > specially constructed composite cars, by Hudson Bros., later coded KA,
> took
> > > over all services and to a great extent vitiated any "fair trial" of the
> > > tramway principle as applied to feeder branch lines.  The pretence was
> > > abandoned altogether on 1 January 1889 when the line was officially
> > > transferred to the Railway Department.
> > >
> > > Here endeth the lesson... :-)
> > >
> > > Regards,
> > >
> > > Bob Merchant
> >